Polo Players' Edition is the official publication of the U.S. Polo Association. Dedicated to the sport of polo, it features player profiles, game strategy, horse care, playing tips, polo club news and tournament results.
Issue link: https://polo.epubxp.com/i/31965
CLUB ANNIVERSARY Founder turned junkyard into green polo paradise BLUE WATER CREEK POLO CLUB recently celebrated its 30th Anniversary. The club, founded in 1980 by Ed Robbins, is managed by Robbins’ daughter, Teena Tucker. Robbins’ grandson Judson Carlton also plays. The club is situated on over 200 manicured acres just east of Florence, Alabama. The facilities include two regulation polo fields, a 1.5 mile racetrack, polo arena and rolling green paddocks. Robbins has always been a horseman, first riding jumpers and fox hunters. When these pursuits brought him to Palm Beach, Florida in 1979, polo captured his attention. He decided to bring the sport home to Alabama. He found a suitable tract of land, however it was a junkyard of buried cars and fishing holes, requiring a massive overhaul. While construction got underway, Robbins and his wife, Mary Lou took a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a 10-day polo clinic with Billy Linfoot. Robbins took his newfound knowledge of the sport and began recruiting locals. When the club first started, anyone with an interest and willingness to learn the game was welcome. Play began at a walk, graduated to a trot, and worked up to full speed. Three decades later, the club hosts USPA tournaments, and teams include both amateurs and pros. Robbins, 79, still enjoys the game. This past season, he and his daughter celebrated a USPA Governor’s Cup victory together. Future plans for the club include a raised party pavilion and field reconstruction. Club manager Teena Tucker rides out for the Governor’s Cup. Ed Robbins, left, relaxes after a polo win. CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE Polo event brings smiles, cash to kids’ charity THE 6TH ANNUAL POLO ON THE MIDWAY, presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, was held at Prestonwood Polo and Country Club in Dallas, Texas on October 30. Chairperson Wendy Devineni and the Ladies Polo Auxiliary were thrilled to have raised almost $11,000 for this year’s beneficiary, Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County, Texas. Polo on the Midway was founded by Dena Miller in 2005 as a way to raise money for children’s charities. Until this year, the beneficiary has been Bryan’s House, which assists children of low- income families with medical needs. The annual family event has a carnival theme featuring a market area with vendors for shopping, pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce houses, rides on the Wells Fargo wagon and plenty of polo. Being so close to Halloween, many of the children came in their halloween costumes, which added to the festivities. This year the day was enjoyed by over 800 guests. Some guests picnicked or tailgated, some watched from the grandstands, while others were wined and dined in the VIP pavilion by Barefoot Wines and Raphael’s Mexico Cantina. The Children’s Advocacy Center offers support to abused children by reducing Polo on the Midway Chairperson Wendy Devineni snuggles with a cute fuzzy bunny at the children’s charity benefit. 20 POLO PLAYERS EDITION trauma to child victims when they must be involved in criminal justice proceedings; promoting emotional healing to victims and non-offending family members; and helping keep communities safe by holding offenders accountable.
