Polo Players Edition

JAN 2011

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.

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POLO REPORT Scottsdale’s Bill Stalcup, Dr. Diego Florenz, Stephen Bentz, and Dan Coleman; Skull Valley’s Travis Simpson, Glen Voorhees, and Scott Poppenberger; and Utah’s Craig Huber, Michelle Huber, Jorge Estrada II, and Jorge Estrada III. Umpire Mike Hynes is mounted on a horse behind the players. The Skull Valley polo field sits on the front yard of C. Paul and Carolyn Harris’ Van Dickson Ranch. Apparently, polo ponies were raised there in the 1900s and leased to Will Rogers. 20 miles southwest of Prescott and two hours north of Phoenix. The 4500 feet of elevation offer a mild climate for practically year-round play. It has a general store, service station, diner, church, elementary school, community hall, railroad museum, fire department, and garage. Texan C. Paul Harris played polo in his home state, and wanted to continue the sport in Arizona. So, he invited a couple of experienced local players and Scottsdale players during their off season. He then pursued ranch hands, ropers, mounted shooters, trail riders, dressage competitors, and anybody who could ride and wanted to learn to play. The participation has grown over the past six years and most Saturdays during spring, summer and fall there are practice games, weather permitting. 50 POLO PLAYERS EDITION Some fine players have thus been developed. Recently, Cynthia Rigden, herself a prominent western sculptor and artist, told an elderly woman and her two sons to stop by the Harris place. When they drove onto the property, C. Paul was on the field practicing some polo shots. The woman said she was a daughter-in- law of the Van Dicksons who lived there in the early 1900s. She mentioned the family raised polo ponies there, and Carolyn said, “No, we don’t raise polo ponies here, we just play here.” The woman said, “Van Dickson raised polo ponies here and leased them to Will Rogers. When they were through playing polo, they came back and became ranch horses.” Small world! Skull Valley Polo is becoming a destination for Arizona players for low- Carolyn and C. Paul Harris, owners of the Van Dickson Ranch, home of Skull Valley Polo Club. goal relaxed yet competitive polo. Housing and stabling is available here on the place or on local ranches. Skull Valley joined the United States Polo Association this year and with its help and encouragement will continue to grow. ROCKY MOUNTAIN DENVER VICTORIOUS IN PATRIOT CELEBRATION Denver Polo topped two other teams to take the Patriot Day Celebration match at the Red Rock Rangers Polo Club, just south of Franktown, Colorado on September 11. It was to show appreciation to those who risk their lives to keep America safe.

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