PoloBARN - Steve Crowder Polo Report

August 27, 03:Where The Surf Meets The Turf - It's 220 miles southeast of Santa Barbara, 1300 miles west of Houston and 1550 miles south of Calgary. There are a whole bunch of polo players, horses and big rigs headed that way. They will be the West Coast polo center for the next 5 weeks as they are the next stop on the high-goal train. Some good times are on the way with fast horses and a whole bunch of that fine Del Mar air and the San Diego nightlife. If you are not coming to San Diego, you are missing a very good time. Call San Diego Polo Club (858) 481-9217 and get back on the high-goal train. You will not regret it. You might even get to drop by Del Mar Race Track and see CANDY ride the running sensation from Argentina who is making a name for himself without a mallet. See you in DEL MAR at the ranch.

August 24, 03: Polo Duende-Style - The finals of the Pacific Coast Open in Santa Barbara was like most of the games played here in August . . . fast, direct and exciting. It was a perfect day for polo that's why they come to Santa Barbara with temperatures in the high 70's with an ocean breeze. The fields were rough and the refs. were refs. It was still a very good game as John Goodman (JG) and Isla Carroll (IC) were still looking for the big one in Southern Cal. JG made some big plays stopping a sure goal with a quick move across goal to clear it and then made a big goal shot when he had a chance to go up in the 6th, but he got caught watching it. JG experienced the shock of seeing Paco come in at mach speed to steal the glory on the line as he also cleared the goal repaying JG for his take away.

It started out with IC up by 2 in the first, then it was tied at 2 in the 2nd. Duende was up after the 3rd and going into the 6th the board looked bad at 6 - 6 - 6. Tied at 6 in the 6th. There was quite a show for the next seven minutes. The whistle was blown 7 times and they gave out 3 penalty #4's, but Paco had 2 of them and he sank them big time. Mighty Mike Azzaro was again bit by the dog on the line as he failed to convert any of his #4's. It cost him the finals last year as well. In the end it was by 2 at 9 to 7, but the horses flew and Mike Hakan (MH) made some super stops when his flyers got too careless and when JH or one of the boys in white got loose. If the field was better the score would have been 15 to 13 or near that. No one could make a run yesterday as they just could not get the ball to roll down the field. It was a bouncy job out there.

We all knew Duende was the best team on the West Coast and when they started to click they were like a big clock. This was their 1st game during the Open that Paco quit tapping and started to send the mail. When he did it could be deadly as he had some wide-open carriers in that game.

San Saba was down 7 to 0 in seven minutes and the fear of the flyers was in place they came close to them only two times in the semis by 2 and the finals by 2. Otherwise it was adios. Even with bad fields good polo is hit and run and if you want to see someone run you only have to watch Hector Galindo once and you will see the run. The Redhead (Kris Kampsen) in front was a big factor as every game he took on the big sticks and did it well. It was Everglades and Skeeter Johnson doing a tap dance on the Farm as they pummeled Grant's Farm in the Western Badge finals. They should have been in the finals, but they had a horrible day on Thursday and Mike Azzaro did not. MA and Jeff Hall (JH) ran wild on them. IC made a big lineup change by switching MA to #2 and letting JH hit his cannon balls to the running Gracida and MA. In normal times it may have been enough, but there was DUENDE and that's the way it was.

See you at the SPRECKLES CUP in Sept. at the San Diego Polo Club.

Aug. 21, '03: Down To The Final 2 - It was a heck of a day for polo in dear old Santa Barbara. It was as good as it can get in the first semis with Grant's Farm and Duende going at it. The two best players in this tournament were heads up and they are Paco de Narvaez for Duende and Jeff Blake (J.B.) for Grants Farm. Paco was standing just a little taller than J.B., but they put on a show as it was tied after 1 & 2. Duende was up by 3 at 1/2 by 2 after 4 and 5 and 1 goal in the 6th. A gamble failed and instead of a tie it was down by 2 and the lights were out for Grant's Farm. It was a very fast and physical game speed was a known with Duende and the Refs. were normal in the road twice and said to had made a bad call on a # 4 by Paco, but gave it right back so it was not them. Just superior team work by the best team here right now. Hector Galindo flew as usual, Kris Kampsen was always working and Paco was what he is. The best player here this year. Mike Hakan stopped Robert when needed. They should win, but this is polo and its never a given. In the 4 PM was Isla Carroll vs. Everglades who whipped the defending champs Windsor Capital, but had little fire today as they were down early and never really finished a rally. Jeff Hall kept a lot of pressure on them from the # 3 slot and Julio Gracida and Mike Azzaro were on the run all day long. They were down 6 to 2 at 1/2 and came right back to 6 - 5 and could not finish it. Tiger Kneece had a very strong game and was a real factor in the game. He just needed that final shot a little to the left or to the right. Come Sunday afternoon you will see speed and you will not see it anywhere else like this on the continent. Isla Carroll is fast, but Duende is Faster. If they hit it straight it will be a POLO GAME and it's a balance against a big middle so be there. We will.

Aug. 20, '03: War on The Pacific

It's a polo war on the Pacific as the fire is burning in the 4 teams who have lived to see the semis. It will begin at 2 PM as Grants Farm and Duende start it. The Farmers have to dig some trenches to slow down the flying Dundees as they will be at full-sail. There will be some old-time reunions as Hector Galingo and Kris Kampsen played with Andy Busch last year and this year they go against each other. It's a replay of the finals of the America Cup, but there is a big difference as Mighty Mikee Matz is out with a broken leg and being replace by Robert Orthwein from the polo playing family. Duende is out of their idle mode. It's 4 on the floor and pedal to the metal for 6 chukkers. In the other semis at 4 p.m. it will be Big John and Isla Carroll going flat out to stay with Mr. Johnson who has a few race horses behind and under him. They carry the Secretary of Defense with them, Big Joe Wayne, who has put a stopper on the best as he sent the defending champs and the Governor out last Sunday in the game of the tournament so far.

Windsor Capital has to try to whip San Saba to play in the consolation finals against winless Antelope on Saturday in the Santa Barbara Cup. Luck of the draw. Antelope has not won a game and San Saba has won only one. They could go against each other again, but either one may not want to see Windsor Capital as they have only lost 3 all summer and won 1 cup.

See ya

Aug. 17th, '03: Show Time Is Here - Will it started with a bang and it was a full-fledged war as the 11:00 AM started out Fast and did not change it. N the end during overtime, as it should have been, it was rock-and-roll as the American side came through like freight trains. It was Skeeter Johnson with all eyes on him as this is his first season in Santa Barbara. He is a bullet as he rocked Adam Snow so many times they had trouble seeing his handicap. It was a little low today and they were bothered constantly by Keeter. It was here comes Tiger and it was too late as O.R. was gone. Adam Snow has great horses and everyone knows that , but there are some flat out fleet-footed monsteres in O.R.'s barn and they never quit coming. If the offense does not kill you the back door will turn you the other way A.S.A.P. Joe Wayne Barry is the Sec. of Defense bar note. A.S. & M.G. flew and the Governor was hot, but they ran into a hostile freight who had their Chatanooga and Atlanta Bells moving. Their off to the Semis this Thursday PM and and they are looking at Gringo #2 test as they mess with Texas and Isla Carroll.

In the 1 PM it was a hungry Grant's Farm looking to get a spot in the semis and they had a willing host as Duende, already the first place team as they have slaughtered all comers to date, took the day off and were cruising and saving horses and it was a great victory for a stormy season for Grant's Farm. They had to win to get to the semis and they did and they have to do it all over again come Thursday afternoon. The host may not ba as gracious then, but the Farmers will be ready to start plowing after lunch, so be there. The 3 PM was who has not won, well as there has to be a winner and it was San Saba with a sexy lady tdoing the difference as Dawn LaurelJones put in a couple to send the San Saba team to the win column for their first big victory. It is not over yet as they go for a big semis on Thursday as well to go for the S.B. Trophy.

Sunday will be the finals at 3 PM. Thursday will be the day to watch polo extraordinaire. See you there.

Aug. 17th, '03: Pee Wee Polo Downs Fish Creek - Fred Mannix has been the God Father of Pee Wee polo and they turned on him today. I bet Joe Barry and Artie Cameron are so happy. Fred Mannix set it up, but they made it happen. It was four boys 12 years later coming from a polo world to the polo starts and those men have to be looking down here saying "My Line" and "come on" as they did as they were taught. They got the line, they took the ball and best of all they remembered rule 18. That is what happened as they blew by the Fish Creek squad of Julio Zavaleta, Tomas Pieres (Midget Pieres), Big Joey Casey and the General himself, Fred Mannix, Sr. I bet the was so happy in some ways as he made this happen and in his own backyard. Toby Waymand, Frederick Mannix, Jr., Daniel Roenisch and Jason Crowder started polo tin January of 1989 in Indio, CA at Eldorado Polo Club. They were 5 to 7 years when they started and now their temporarily Kings of the Rockies as they are just abut to find out if they are that good in the Candadian Open.

We shall see, but no matter what . . . thanks to Fredi Mannix, Sr., Artie Cameron, Sr. and Joe Barry Sr.

See you at the prettiest Polo

Aug. 16th, '03: Frying Time at the PCO - It was a hot day for some camps in Santa Barbara today as the big guns from Windsor Capital started early and put a deep fry on Grants Farm. Windsor was out front by 7 at 1/2 time and finished the cooking by 4. It was always going the other way from Grant's Farm as they only knocked in 1 time in six chukkers those Windsor players are straight shooters.

At the 2 PM it was also a deep fry, but it took longer. The Rockets from Dundee were as usual flying for Duende, but this time it was the Everglades and they can fly too, but in the end they overshot the runway. Everglades also came down by 4 and like Grant's Farm 1 & 1, so things are getting tighter. Skeeter Johnson (SKJ) had a very good game today as his horses run with anyone and he put several on the board to keep Duende in sight most of the time. These 2 teams can and will run for a long day any day. Since the Open started Duende has blown out San Saba, Windsor and now the Everglades. Hope they're sick on Sunday.

The 4 O'clock was Antelope vs. Isla Carroll (I.C.). I heard it was a close game most of the way and Geoff Palmer had a very good game. Agustin Zavaleta was making the big guns watch his taco as he kept the ball moving well. They sold the farm and did not double as I only heard I.C. was lucky to win, but now they are 2 & 1 and Antelope is 0 & 3 with a San Saba Day on Sunday. If you want to see speed be there at 11 AM on field 3. It should be pure speed as the Aiken guns mix with Calif. triggers for a show down.

See ya Sunday. -Steve Crowder

Aug. 10th, '03: The Big Boys Shine - It was Sunday polo and the best was not last at 11 a.m. P.C.O. time. It was the Governor (Pat Nesbitt) and Windsor vs. San Saba. It was a game of moments and it was turn, then turn again. It was also a perfect set for a good offense is the best defense as that was the flavor of the day for the first 2 games. The Governor and T.L.J. (Tommy Lee Jones) locked horns early and often and it was a good show. Weston Gracida was the hero of the day in my opinion as he fought to the very end. Sometimes a big mistake, but three major plays to turn A.S. (Adam Snow) or M.G.(Mariano Gonzalez) loose by making a + 6 or 9 play. He was the player of the day for me. They were all battling as it was 14 to 14 after 6 and M.G. made it 15 - 14 to end it all and go to 1-1 and send San Saba to 0-2.

In the fastest game of the day it was the flying Dundees from Duende making offense a very good defense. Paco, Paco, Paco sent the aerials today for them and his flying machines were taking out the boys from Isla Carroll. Like ticks on a clock they just keep on ticking and they do it so fast. I.C. would get close and then boom we are going the wrong way again. You get Kris Kampsen (K.K.) and then there is Hector Galindo and oh s___ there's Paco and its oh no its a goal. This is one of the fastest teams I have ever seen in 20-goal polo and Mike Haken is sooo happy.

The 3 O'clock was a barn buster. After the first 2 chukkers it was the Alligators from Everglades devouring the Antelope for a Sunday snack. It was only by 4, but I do not think it was a strain for the Gators as Skeeter was very calm and did not seem to sweat today. I hear he went on a bike ride to (no that could not be right not to Tennessee) for a workout. It must have been The Kneeces.

Up North it was Millarville/Pee Wee polo beating Fish Creek as the pups got on the big Dawgs and sent 'em howling to the house. I think MRS. GANZI won, so there is a showdown coming on Tuesday and it could be interesting as MR BOLLENI & BADIOLA are not new to the game and their kids are nearly the age of the PEE WEES.

See ya at P O L O.

Aug. 9 '03: Smokin Joe - Well we all know Smokin Joe Henderson is in South Africa, his birthplace. We also see from the polo line that he must still be smokin polo balls anyway as his team won their first 2 games in an ongoing tournament by 25 to 4. Sounds like that African air is building a fountain of youth. Well done I say.
Some other news around is Bud Dardi just underwent ear surgery. Hope all is well with Mr. Waggle his golf idol is Sergio. Also bad news was Big Bob Anderson had a stroke. I have not heard how he is doing would like to hear. Ron alias Bones is back on the continent in San Diego. Peter & Genny were seen in Santa Barbara at the Open. Beverly is in Indio and the Cantina is still closed. Also Alex Jacoy is back from the trout farm I hear he caught well now we need to introduce him to V. Meyers from Texas Polo.

THE SPRECKLES is coming soon. Are you ready? We have the players ready to go so call anytime. If you know Anon (read message board)tell him to come on in . . .2 goal or 4 goal maybe even 6 goal Norma is looking for a big stick like him. San Diego is rollin again and we will keep you informed.

See ya

Aug. 8th, '03: Big Bash. Big Games.
It's P.C.O. time and what an opening day it was. The best polo game of the season to start it and the best dang party at SANTA BARBARA Polo Club in history.

It started at noon and it was high noon + 5 minutes. It was 3 & 0 Windsor Capital (W.C.), 2 minutes later it was 4 to 3 W.C. Next it was 6 to 6 and at 1/2 time it was 8 to 8. And talk about speed Isla Carroll and Big John Goodman let them run as hard as the boys in blue. The Governor and Big John outplayed their young pros and they played awesome. It was a big guns game offense was the name of this game and in the end it was I.C. out horsing W.C. just by a bit and winning by 2.

They are tall, lean and they swing a straight stick and they are from Florida. In the next 2 games it was them scoring 18 goals. It started at 2 p.m. and 7 minutes later it was a RED Head (Kris Kampsen) scoring 6 and a tap in and the tappers were down by 7, then by 5 at the end of 2, by 6 at 3 and finished down by 4 as it was Duende with the petal to the metal and San Saba thinking and wishing it was just a Texas storm, not a Florida hurricane. K.K. and Duende showed T.L.J. and the tappers its 4 on the floor. You will only see tails if your not flat out with The Flying Galindo, Paco and KK setting M.H. on the pedestal opening day. Even the equalizers could not stop the yellow machine.
At 4 p.m. it was lean mean Blake doing the Florida twist as he put in 8 and had to add the 8th one in O.T. to stop MR. Palmer and the Antelope. It was very good for Grants Farm as they lost a 5 goal lead. They must have been thinking of the Party Time just a little too early, but it was just right for the party and what a party. Kim and Andy Busch put on a hell-raiser Harley Davis style and it was so G O O D it cannot get much better. The polo is out of sight so far, so be here it will be on again Sunday at 11 a.m. come on in its open time.

see ya

August 8th, '03: Pee Wee Polo Reunion - Fred Mannix does more for polo than the USPA and he hires people to do it right. Fred has done something never even dreamed of by our organization. He took the original Pee Wee Polo Team from 1989 and put them together again to compete in the 20-goal polo in Calgary. Today was their first game and guess what? They won. It was an awesome thing for Fred to do and it was not an easy task. These Pee Wee alumni are Toby Wayman from Texas, Jason Crowder from California and Daniel Roenisch from Calgary his son Frederick Mannix, Jr. who at 19 is the best player in North America. Frederick will most-likely be the first amateur 10-goaler in the world since 1938. As we enter the 3rd year of the next century are we growing. Well at least Mr. Mannix and Canadian polo is growing. Why? It is a guess, but his name is Fred Mannix and he is willing to make polo work period! He has made Canadian polo progress the way we should be progressing, but I do not see it. We have not changed much in the last 25 years or even the last 5 years. Why have we not made American players? We will not spend money to build a growing corral. We just waste lots of time and money and its not helping American Polo for American Polo Players. We kick out the American players rule which is why England is blowing by us with 300 less players. We spend so much on polo builders and we need to sit down and build or finance a L.A. Equestrian Center on both the East and West coasts. We need to open up umpiring from coast to coast, not just Gulf Stream Polo Association umpires. We need to build an organization to build American Polo to return to the 1920's with a 2003 budget. We need to cut the garbage and try to change something besides the Polo Hall of Fame. It is time to speak up as Members and make it HAPPEN!

See ya.

Steve Crowder

Aug. 7, '03: Polo In The Pacific - It has been here for a little over a month and we have two champions: Grants Farm and Windsor Capital. The real show starts tomorrow and it will be anybody's game no matter what your record. Now it's 0 & 0 and the show starts with a big one. The defending champs find out right now as its a rematch of the finals last year with a couple of new boys on the block for Windsor Capital. They have the old guys with a hard charging boy wonder by the name of WESTON GRACIDA, yes another one. He is here to stay. On the other side is Isla Carroll and they have boy wonder turned man Jeff Hall added to the Texas team. He is a star in the making, so be there as this could be the finals preview. Game 2 is Duende with speed to burn. They will put the flaps down as the tap tap boys from San Saba try once again to dribble by another Texas speed ball. The flying Galindo (Hector). He has his Redhead sidekick somewhere around circling waiting for the cannon ball from Paco, so Tommy Lee better be burning down the runway. The Tuna flyer, Geoff Palmer, with his chopper that looks like a big tuna in the sky . . . its so cool. His team Antelope has not won a practice game, but they came here for the Open and it's where they start. There is a wolf waiting for them and his name is Ashton. He takes over for MIGHTY MIKEE who is holding iron for a few days and watching Grants Farm who have yet to get back on track since they lost Mikee. Be there and the show will go on at high noon.
See ya.

August 5, '03:POLO California-Style (OPEN TIME) -Well it's August and it's the sound of fast horses, good players and the fun times are over. It is PCO time. The Pacfic Coast Open is here NOW and it is the biggest tournament in California, even bigger than the Skins Game and the Spreckels Cup. There are fewer teams, but bigger #'s and they use Texas balls to play polo. They come from Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, South Carolina, Canada, Argentina, Mexico and all over the USA. They come to play and try to win the OPEN, which is one of the most important tournaments in the USA. They are now in the draw which makes them competitors for the fine hardware. 7 teams, 28 players, 130 grooms, 10 managers a few coaches and 60 helpers and a 100 assorted support people. It's not a picnic.

THE DRAW IS :

Bracket Style

A ISLA CAROLL E WINDSOR
B SAN SABA F DUENDE
C GRANTS FARM G ANTELOPE
D EVERGLADES

they play cross bracket and here is this weeks games.