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
bobspolo@yahoo.com. YOUTH CLINICS Wilbur O’Ferrall continues to be available to teach youth clinics from the junior level (up to 14 years of age) through the interscholastic and intercollegiate levels. There is no charge for Wilbur’s time, but the host club is asked to house, feed and transport him while at the clinic. To host such a clinic, contact Wilbur by phone at (717) 645-8715 or by email at wofpolo@aol.com. UMPIRE INSTRUCTION Head Umpire Instructor Steve Lane will again spend January through March at the Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California training the club’s umpires as well as offering umpire instruction to the membership. He will also be helping at the nearby Empire Polo Club this winter. To plan spring and summer clinics contact Steve by phone at (352) 454-6611 or by email at slpolo9@aol.com. 8TH ANNUAL ARENA UMPIRE CLINIC Conducted at Cornell University Cornell’s head polo coach, David Eldredge, once again graciously allowed the Polo Training Foundation, in conjunction with the USPA National Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Committee, to conduct an intensive arena umpire clinic during the William S. Fields Invitational Intercollegiate Tournament November 17- 21. Six men’s and six women’s intercollegiate teams competed in 14 games during the five-day tournament. Games were at several different levels of competition so a great venue was provided to train and certify umpires for various certification levels. The objective of the clinic was to identify and train potential umpires for the Interscholastic/Intercollegiate regular season and USPA spring tournaments. PTF Head Umpire Instructor Steve Lane and Umpire Instructor Bob Stuerzebecher conducted the event. They were assisted by Virtual Polo’s Kit Collins who videoed every game for classroom review, and USPA Director of Interscholastic/ Intercollegiate Polo Kim Syme who helped with organization and scheduling. Fourteen umpire trainee’s were observed for certification and 16 more audited the clinic. Seventeen hours were spent in the classroom to review rules and umpire procedures, and for video review. The final classroom session was taught by the umpire students to the intercollegiate fundraiser will also take place that weekend. February 21 brings the Avendano Tournament, the oldest and most prestigious junior tournament in the United States. March’s tournament date had not been set at this writing but there will be an event that month. For more information on Florida Junior Polo contact the PTF office: by phone at (888) PTF-POLO (783-7656) or by email at dscheraga@polotraining.org. ELDORADO JUNIOR POLO Janet Ludwig will once again be directing the Eldorado Junior Polo program. Eldorado also has a full slate of tournaments planned for its winter season. Susan Guggenheim will be assisting Janet with instructional and administrative duties. The Arty Cameron Memorial will be played in February, followed by the Joe Barry Memorial in March. Both Arty and Joe were instrumental in the development of the Eldorado Junior program. For more Wilbur O’Ferrall is available to teach youth clinics, like this one in Colorado, at clubs across the U.S. players in the tournament to give them a thorough review of 2011 rules changes and the four most misunderstood fouls in polo. When not in the classroom, the umpires watched games and critiqued their peers who were umpiring every chukker. This clinic has been run consistently for so many years it has helped make major strides in the quality of umpiring at Interscholastic and Intercollegiate tournaments. Because of the intensity, umpires who attend every year have noticeably improved their ability to umpire no matter what level of certification they started at. Anyone interested in improving their umpiring skills should plan on attending this annual event. FLORIDA JUNIOR POLO A full season of junior tournaments are planned in South Florida this season. The action began with the Major Collins coaching league and tournament between Christmas and New Years Day. Next up is the JoAnna Monaco Memorial scheduled for January 17. The Florida Junior Polo information on the Eldorado junior program contact Janet by phone at (760) 773-3558 or by email at info@regeludwigpolo.com PTF LAUNCHES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The PTF has kicked off a scholarship program, which will provide college scholarships to be used for academics for aspiring polo players. This will encourage and promote the attainment of higher education goals based on evidence of a high level of academic achievement during high school or college. In addition to meeting a high academic standard, scholars will be required to participate in the collegiate polo club at the school they are attending. These scholarships will be need based. Scholarship funding will be from donations made directly to the PTF scholarship fund, to be split between immediate use and the building of a scholarship endowment. Those interested in supporting this fund should contact the PTF office by phone at (888) PTF-POLO (783-7656) or go to the donate now button on the PTF website, www.polotraining.org, and earmark your donation for the scholarship fund. POLO PLAYERS EDITION 9
