I never had a sister, but Sal comes very close to being one. My husband knew her as a little girl with pig tails around the old Riveria Polo Club in West LA. She was always on a horse having tons of fun. I met Sal after JRS and I married and she became a part of our family and visa versa. Our daughter Tina lived with her in Carmel Valley while we went off to various places. Sal mounted her well and gave her all sorts of equine challenges. Along about that time in our family’s life, 1973-75 we were aspiring to have an Interscholastic team and Sal welcomed the boys all from Texas, put them up, mounted them and they took on the Robert Louis Stephenson team.Of course they had a blast and a team was born. To those who knew her this was so typical of her generosity and encouragement to aspiring new players.
One year we did and exchange and Sal brought her students out to Texas for a horse show and we mounted them. I particularly remember Josh Hall as he piloted one of our horses around the jump courses under Sal’s tuteledge. I don’t think that that was his favorite activity but he really got into paddle ball against the wall of our house. Later we heard he had become a vet’ specializing in equines. On that same trip,Sal always an optimist and nothing being impossible, got me up at dawn to practice for our Pas de Deux, when we just didn’t have time or the place to do it. We went out in the Mesquite and ran through our routine and I got to laughing so at her that I could barely ride, but we won later in the day. Years later Sal came back to Texas with her family to play polo and it really rained. Not to be daunted she went to town and bought beach balls and got the whole club out in a pasture to stick and ball. After the horses got over the shock of these big yellow and pink balls coming at them, everyone had a hilarious time and some great practice.
When Sal’s Mom died, she gave Tina some of her Mom’s treasures that she knew Tina would enjoy. Frequently she would call just to say Hi and to tell us about her great grey horse or her Affletecky (or whatever it is!), just a fun, short chat. She was always taking care of someone and Tony Veen , our mutual friend, lived at Sal’s and she took good care of him almost to the last.
She had more pictures on her walls than anyone could imagine and almost all of them were of horses, bygone film days and of course polo. How she had time to work her string of ponies and paint amazed me, but she turned out some incredible art work, which she was so generous with. Her paintings were quickly done and captured the true essense of how a horse moved and the game of polo. Sal really knew how to use a horse to its fullest and yet not harm it. She knew its limitations and hers and she appreciated a good horse whether it was a Clydesdale or a Mini. If it had four legs she played it and did so very well. I don’t know anyone who gave more of themselves to riding and to helping others also learn to ride and to enjoy jumping, eventing, gymkahana, team penning, polo or whatever the day called for. She had a nice house but chose to let others live in it while she lived in her barn right beside her beloved horses, cats, dogs, geese, chickens, goat, ginneas, possums and critters. One day she went into the bathroom and the goat, who is quite portly laid down in front of the door and went to sleep. Sal couldn’t get the door open until finally someone came along and heard her and got the goat to move.
Sal leaves us with a great void. There just isn’t another like her, but one thing for sure if anyone can, she’s the one to teach St Peter how to play polo. --Marcie Stimmel
When I was a young girl in grade school I took riding and jumping lessons from Sue Sally in Carmel Valley and later went to a summer camp of hers down the coast from Carmel. I learned so much during those years. I gave up riding once entering high school and pursued other sports but never forgetting my love of riding. A year and a half ago I started playing polo. Sue Sally was my inspiration after all those years. When people ask me where I learned to ride I proudly say "from Sue Sally Hale!" I have fallen in love with polo. I now watch Sunny play whenever she comes to Santa Barbara and am again inspired to be a better rider and polo player. My one regret is that I never had a chance to meet Sue Sally again and tell her in person what joy her polo inspiration has given me. I was filled with overwhelming sadness when I heard about Sue Sally's death. I owe my love of riding and polo to Sue Sally Hale... Kelly Burke
Sue Sal, Just wanted to thank you for sharing your life and your family with me. It made a difference.
--Patty Bladh
Years ago I read and followed Sue Sally Hale's story in Polo Magazine.
Although I never met her, I tried to emulate her philosophy as a horse lover and as significantly, as a mother. My son refers to my horses and dogs and cats as his brothers and sisters in his formative years and became a very well rounded individual and I often think that raising your child in a barn may be a guarantee of mental and physical health. Maybe when I join her on the big field i can get some of those lessons I missed out on. Thanks to
Sue Sally and people like her our children will think of polo as a wonderful game, not a fragrance.
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 I spent the most influential years of my life living with Sal (from 8 to 15 years old). She taught me so much about working hard, being strong, and how to laugh when times are hard. I was so lucky to have Sal and Sunny as my role-models during these years. Everyone knows about Sal's own way of doing things, and these are a few of my favorites: Stitching up horse wounds with dental floss, "letting" us do road trips in the nose of the trailer (with the tack and feed... and the lovely smell of the trailer), Keeping the water troughs clean with gold fish (to eat the algae), Building a friendship between a horse and a duck, convincing us that peanut butter, mayonaise and lettuce sandwiches were delicious, sending Sunny on one of the horses down the side of a freeway, bareback with a halter, in the middle of the night, to find a gas station when the trailer broke down (a common occurance), using plyers to pull out her wisdom tooth, etc. etc. etc. I could go on forever. The most exciting years of my life so far are definately those spent living with Sal. She is a huge part of who I am today and I am grateful that my mom and I had the chance to be a part of her life. -Rima Akkad
Over fifty years ago my family moved into a house in Pacific Palisades, California. While carrying things into the house, I looked up and on the rise next to our driveway, I saw two indian warriors, mounted, horses and warriors completely painted in horrifying colors.
I wisely went inside to hide under the dining room table.
Happily, those two didn't attack, but the friendship lasted all this time.
Sue Sally Jones Hale Terry O'Reilly Kristiansen I never met her Dad: screenwriter Grover Jones.
Her mom Suzie made Christmas chowder for us kids after caroling (horseback, of course) but I don't remember if we cared much about the road apples we left in David Niven's, or Ronald Reagan's, driveways. Neither cared, both were marvelous surprised hosts! Sal knew the words, and of course rode the best.
Dickie, Unca' Dickie, helped us kids avoid the red rooster that chased kids at the barn. Dickie and Suzie married (Stunt man awards are named after Dickie, Rikchard Talmadge, the Talmadge awards.)and lived in Carmel Valley.
Sal ultimately had a big goose who was as belligerant as the rooster, but only in a protecive mode! Then there was the dog that walked by Sal's side, holding her hand in his mouth. When Sal married Alex, I was in a full leg cast and the only pants I could pull on were rawhide with buckskin fringe. Might as well wear the buckskin shirt to the wedding, which I did. I was, uh, noticeable at the wedding, but even though limping slightly with her bad feet, Sal hit me on the head with her bouquet, accompanied by her wonderful smile. Suzie knew her daughter, so I was merely a surprise.
Ah yes, that first house in Carmel Valley. The kitchen window overlooking the bathtub. Which had feathers from the goose.
The second house in CV, bigger and room for a summer camp. Yes, Sal knew that I would best any and all campers in a bareback water fight in the creek, I learned the techniques from playing horseback on Zuma Beach, learned the hard way from Sal.
Sal also knew I was gullible, so when the campers gained revenge by putting pollywogs in carrot salad and telling they were raisins, I cleaned my plate. And rode that evening and the next morning!
Last saw her play years ago at a demo in Scottsdale. She and two other ladies beat the local males, which included a descendant of Will Rogers. That was appropriate because the Will Rogers Polo Field in Palisades was where Sal started playing. (At an early age she gave up her other career goal, rodeo, in lieu of nearby polo.)
So many happy memories. Hard to marshall them with tears in my eyes. Somehow, I hope others hear of her passing and also have weepy memories. Lorn, Janey, Maria.
There is a heaven for horses and people, amd now Crownie the Wonder Horse is telling Buckie, Willy and others that Sal is home.
Thank you lady, thanks for the possum cartoons, the bad jokes, the spaghetti, the cute way you said "oh, I know, I know", thanks for getting the horse INTO the east end of the John Thomas Dye School (Bel Air Town and Country, on the hill) and thanks for more than I'll ever remember. --Jeff Place, Prescott Arizona
Yes, I did "date" her once, we went to see a western movie.
Unbeknownst to me, she had her yellow cat "Thumper" hidden in her purse. Unbeknownst to her, I was allergic to cats. Hilarious? Oh my yes!
The "Polo Way of Life" gave me so much in my life, and it all began with meeting Sue Sally Hale. I started completely green to polo, and due to my friendship with Sal, I became totally involved, to the point of co-owning Moorpark Polo Club with Sal, and it was the first USPA recognized club owned by women. For seven years, I watched Sal's influence on others - everyone who participated in our club, other players we saw at tournaments, and especially all her students - they all loved Sue Sal. She had an unlimited enthusiasm for polo, and my daughter Rima and I were completely caught up in it. We loved all her kids as part of our own family. Sal used to tell me she wanted to pass on quickly, and with her horses around her. I am so sorry she is gone, but once again, she "did it her way". My memories are too many to mention, but Sal made my life in polo so full. Thanks Sue Sal. -- Patty Akkad
Late Entry into the Sue Sally Memorial. Just today I heard of her passing.
I had the unfortunate experience of first meeting the 'grand dame' of polo on the field of battle when I was just beginning polo. She and Kim Kelly, and Cindy, came to the islands as a Hawaii Polo Club guest team, pitted against an all male team. We, the male team, were thoroughly trounced but lived to enjoy it. That was the first of a 22 year long, wonderful, relationship encompassing lots of polo, meeting her vast group of friends, and learning the Sue Sally Hale method of entertaining.
She was a pistol…. From squabbling with the neighbor next door, to hostile letters to the USPA, zoning board, and anyone else with whom she disagreed. She did not hesitate to let her feelings and recommendations known……, and, the world is better for it. I loved returning to the desert hearing the target of the latest debate.
We once played a seniors exhibition game during the glamour days of the LA equidome, and she was surprised that I expressed a mild displeasure with the mule she gave me to play. In the Sue Sally tradition, she played the mule and gave me her mount. Of course, we won the match.
Her greatest gift to me was the gift of love. Not the gushy romantic type of love, but the deeper family style of attachment. After a health problem while skiing, she nursed me back to health with a great deal of comfort, and a great many stalls to muck. In the past four year, although I have not seen her, we stayed in contact via the telephone.
Now, my only question is: with whom is she at odds. It's either God or the Devil and with either one, believe me they have their hands full, and, they'd better learn the game. See you soon, Sal!
Bob Schriver, Amissville, Va
If you would like to post a message about Sue Sally Hale on this Virtual Memorial please e-mail your submission to lynn@polobarn.com.
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