16 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Polo
By Kris Bowman
What made this Fourth of July especially patriotic
for me was looking out my window at dusk to watch
all of the Team USPA players end a long intensive
day of coaching and playing in 100 degree heat by
helping each other take out their remaining sets
and singles. A long time ago, during my frst high
goal season in Palm Beach, I learned a simple,
yet valuable, saying from Charlie Muldoon's head
groom, Octavio Pasten,"Uno mano lavan la otra, y
los dos lavan la cara" and to me, that day was a
prime example of one hand washing the other and
with both, you can wash your face.
Independence Day was the culmination of
three intense days of play and instruction. Sever-
al other young players (YPO) were invited to par-
ticipate in the coached game alongside our Team
USPA members and two pros per team, as well
as mentors on the sidelines, pushed these players
into a new level of play. The amount of information
that was directed at these young players was im-
mense. During the tape review with Tommy Way-
man, Charles Smith and Owen Rinehart, I chuck-
led to myself when these mentors commented
to Lucas Reid of Idaho, about the failed attempt
he made on Julio Arellano during the game. The
magnitude of the program hit me full force to think
that a ranch kid from Idaho who never played six
outdoor chukkers in his life was playing against our
highest rated American Player and then having
three Polo Hall of Fame award winners give him
the low down on what play he should have been
making was astounding!
The next day they were be back on the feld, this
time instead of on the felds of the famed Flying H
Polo Club, they were hosted by the Beal family at
their polo ranch in Sheridan. The mentors shared
their wisdom and the kids exposed their weak-
nesses and in the end, the result was a greatly
improved player who will raise the level of play no
matter which club he or she ends up playing for.
The overwhelming generosity of the program
supporters like the Johnstons, the Beals, Jimmy
Newman, Charles, Owen, Hector, Julio and Tom-
my Wayman and all others involved, is incalcula-
ble and the gratitude that exudes from these young
players cannot be mistaken.
About the writer: Kris Bowman is the Director of
Programs for the USPA and oversees the devel-
opment, implementation and management of pro-
grams related to the growth of polo including the
Team USPA program. The mission of the Team
USPA program is to enhance and grow the sport
of polo in the United States by identifying young,
talented American players and providing mentored
training and playing opportunities leading to a pool
of higher rated amateur and professional players
and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.
Photos by Will Travers
USPA Polo Players Celebrate in Style
Team USPA
mentor Hector
Galindo helps
Lucas Reid with
his swing
Polo legend Tommy Wayman
teaches Todd Thurston how to
hold his reins
Team USPA Sheridan Leaders (L to
R) Owen Rinehart, Charles Smith, Kris
Bowman and Tommy Wayman
Team USPA
Chairman Charles
Smith advises Todd
Thurston during a
stick and ball session