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
Tenby American flag before his body was placed overboard, and then slipped into the depths of the sea. One author mentioned him in 1927, writing, in part, “there never lived a more honest or gamer pony than this courageous black gelding.” LA FORTUNA The great, grey gelding, La Fortuna was a favorite of Hall of Famer Tommy Wayman. The 15.1 hand thoroughbred, who won races in Argentina before Tommy purchased him as a four-year-old, is fondly remembered for his courage, stamina and heart as well as a disposition that enabled him to go from playing hard- slamming high-goal polo one day to being ridden by Tommy’s children in a low-goal game the next. His talent for the game was evident from the very beginning. Thinking back to when La Fortuna was still very green, Tommy said, “He took to polo like a duck to water.” Tommy took him La Fortuna Jules Romfh Horses to Remember TENBY Foaled in 1903 in England, the gallant black gelding, Tenby, was originally purchased from William Balding by the great poloist Harry Payne Whitney. Whitney then later presented Tenby to the great 10- goal Hall of Famer Devereux Milburn as a wedding gift. And what a gift it was! Tenby went on to be affectionately remembered as one of the best polo ponies of his age. A hero of hundreds of hard-fought matches, this grand old war-horse served as 24 POLO PLAYERS EDITION Milburn’s main reliance, carrying him gamely through all the major tournaments of the era. Most notably he played three chukkers in the finals of the International matches of 1911, 1913, and 1914, one of only three horses in America to have done so, a testament to the horse’s talent and endurance. His memorable performance in the matches of 1921 was recounted in numerous articles. By then he was 18 years old. Sadly this was the last time the famous old pony ever played. On the voyage back to the United States from England, Tenby died. Tenby was accorded a full shipboard funeral. According to news reports from the time, prayers were offered and the great old horse was ceremoniously draped with an first to Florida and then to Texas to give him time to acclimate. The first real competitive polo La Fortuna experienced was in California. It was 18-goal polo and he just kept getting better and better according to Wayman. La Fortuna won many prizes in his long career with Wayman. Tommy once said of La Fortuna, “Very few horses possess his kind of talent. Everybody has got a horse that’s fast and handy but to have one that is strong, quick, and can bust through bumps and get you to the ball is unique. He is just a good horse all the way round—pretty head, good bones, good feet, a very kind eye and a disposition that is just fantastic. He’s happy anywhere he’s at. The only fault La Fortuna has is that I can’t get another one like him.” DAVID LOMINSKA
