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132 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE P O L O

Five Questions for Russ Sheldon

By Danika Rice

There are many clichés rooted in the idea of America‘s “soccer mom.” The overly enthusiastic cheerleader, the “I‘ll never miss a game“ attitude, the snack baking, drink bringing sideline staple that excites everyone playing on the team. Well, if our nation has the “soccer mom,” then the sport of polo has the ultimate “polo grandpa.” Russ Sheldon has created his life and rooted his family within his passion for polo, and hasn‘t stopped giving back since the frst swing of a mallet. From being Chairman of the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Committee, serving as a United States Polo Association Governor-at-Large, as well as serving on multiple committees, Russ balances his involvement with the USPA in addition to acting as President of the Poway Polo Club. The Poway Polo Club, founded in 1973 after Russ moved from Michigan to sunny Southern California, now proudly boasts 51 playing members, 12 of them students new to the sport. It is this club in which Russ, his three children, and 8 of his grandchildren learned the sport of polo together, playing with and against each other amongst various club members to create admiration, respect and adoration for the sport, horses and competition it brought for all three generations.

Sidelines: Who’s been the most infuential person in your life and why?

RS: Wow, that’s a loaded question. I guess I’d have to say Merle Jenkins. He introduced me to polo when I was still in Michigan in 1972. It was cold and there was nothing else to do for the winter, so I started playing.

Sidelines: Can you name one of the most memorable horses you’ve ever played?

RS: If we’re talking memorable, I’d say my mare Angel. It’s not often you have a horse try to kick you in the groin. In all seriousness though, there really have been too many to pick just one. I can’t say one horse is better than Quincy [Russ’ 23 year old horse that he still plays], or better than your favorite horse. I don’t think it’s fair to limit them that way. They’re incredible athletes. All I can say is, I’ve had a lot of good ones, and a lot of memorable ones.

Sidelines: What is the most signifcant development you‘ve seen in the USPA?

RS: To me, it would have to be the development of Polo Properties as a viable income source for the Association. It has expanded the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic program, concepts like the Team USPA program to give young players a chance to work with professionals, expanded the Club Development Initiative. It continues to give back in ways that build a base for future polo players. It gives the sport and the Association a future.

Sidelines: What is the most rewarding part of teaching people to play polo?

RS: It’s pretty neat to see how players mature and advance as knowledge of the sport expands. The whole learning

process involves so much, it’s nice to see it pay off when a concept that was once a little blurred becomes clear and executed properly.

Sidelines: Proudest accomplishment on or off the polo feld?

RS: Watching my family progress in this sport as players and advancing to a point to give back to the sport in various ways. As horsemen, as players, as coaches, everyone that has played gives something back. Watching my grandkids play in the Interscholastic program in 1999 as a team gave me the motivation to get involved. Gave me a chance to make a difference, involve myself within the Association on various committees and give my point of view when it was asked. I wouldn’t be doing this today if it wasn’t for that opportunity and my desire to help them.

Russ Sheldon and Quincy, who’s still playing at age 23

Photo by Lynn Bremner