FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2012 117
Polo
Walter “Papa” Kuhn
June 19, 1924 - January 03, 2012
Walter “Papa” Kuhn, Jr., age 87, was born on the family farm
on South Washington Street in Naperville on June 19, 1924.
Walter is survived by his children Daniel J. Kuhn of Chicago, IL,
John A. (Liz) Kuhn DVM of Naperville, Richard W. (Mary Susan)
Kuhn of Naperville and Cathy Rupert of Peoria, IL. His wife
Shirley, and son, Stephen, predeceased him.
In June 1953, Walter and Shirley leased a farm on College
Road owned by St. Procopius Abbey where Shirley taught
horseback riding lessons. In 1961, they relocated the stable and
began Fairlane Farms on a 90-acre parcel on Hobson Road.
Walter and Shirley raised their fve children who helped in the
operation of the riding stable by baling hay, teaching riding
lessons and caring for the horses. In 1978, Walt and Shirley
relocated Fairlane Farms to Florida. They were given rough,
jungle-like property on the condition that they clear the land
and build and operate a riding stable for the new community,
“Wellington.” Today, Wellington is the winter horse capital of
the world. Walter and Shirley sold the Florida stable in 1998,
and returned to their farming roots by purchasing a farm in
Freeport, Illinois. The home was a stagecoach inn from the mid
1800s and also served as an Underground Railroad safe haven.
Papa Kuhn was best known for bringing polo to Naperville and
for maintaining the vitality of the sport in the Chicago area. He
taught hundreds to play the sport, focusing on bringing to the sport
those who could not otherwise afford it, always bearing in mind
his humble beginnings. He and Shirley managed the Naperville
and Oak Brook Polo Clubs throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2005, Walter was inducted into the United States Polo
Association Hall of Fame for his selfess contribution
to the sport. Papa dedicated his induction to the efforts
of his partner in the horse business – his wife, Shirley.
Whether it be in leading the fox hunt, teaching polo, giving trail
rides or sharing stories with loved ones, Papa Kuhn touched the
lives of many.
party participants from former Texas A&M teammates for the
groom and former TCU teammates for the bride.
Fellow Team USPA member
Carlos Galindo
also proposed
(the same week actually!) to girlfriend and former UCONN
player
Meaghan Scanlon
. No word on when the date will
be yet.
Port Mayaca Polo Club
hosted the Holiday Family
Tournament in honor of an admirable American player from
days past:
Dr Billy Linfoot
. Billy was a veterinarian and a
9 goal American player. He served in WWII both as a soldier
in the army and as a veterinarian for the US Cavalry. He was
also one of the first “natural horseman”, giving demonstrations
and clinics with wild horses beginning in the 1940s. Doc was a
great supporter of kids playing polo and the
Linfoot Memorial
Kids Tournament
has been held at the Santa Barbara Polo
Club for over 15 years. Doc was the first American to ever
win the Argentine Open, replacing the injured
Alberto Heguy
in 1966. Billy Linfoot was inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame
in 1994.
The 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Gala
is set to take place on Friday, February 17th at the
Museum
of Polo and Hall of Fame
, so mark it on your calendars now
and make your reservations early. It is sure to be another
fantastic evening honoring the latest inductees who will join
the many distinguished individuals in the Polo Hall of Fame.
The Board of Directors of the Museum of Polo and Hall of
Fame is proud to announce the pending induction of:
Carlos Gracida
- Living Hall of Fame Award
James P. “Jimmy” Mills
– Posthumous Hall of Fame Award
George Alexander
– Living Iglehart Award
Alfred G. “Herbie” Pennell
– Posthumous Iglehart Award
Brown Fern
, owned by Mike Phipps – Horses to Remember
Chips Royal
, owned by Bob Beveridge – Horses to
Remember
We are very happy to welcome back returning sponsors
for the Hall of Fame Dinner,
Mark and Melissa Ganzi,
Grand Champions Polo Club, International Polo Club
Palm Beach, Jan Pamela Polo Team, Barbara Uskup
and
sponsor for the wine and spirits
Lipman Brothers
and new
dinner sponsor
Everglades Polo Club
.
Tickets are $200.00 each (tax deductible portion $100.00).
The Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Silent Auction is the
most important fundraising event for the Museum each year,
so we hope you will help support your Museum – it is a 501(c
)3, not-for-profit organization. We would also welcome Silent
Auction Items if you have something you would like to donate.
Contact Brenda Lynn at the Museum of Polo, (561) 969-
3210 or (561) 969-7015, e-mail: polomuseum@att.net for
further details, information, or to make your reservations.