We had a fine week of solid polo activity at the Ranch. Thursday
evening's class was full again and certainly worth the time for all
involved. We had two classes on Saturday and added another four
beginners who started their first lesson. We are really delighted
to be continually adding new students to the school. Indeed, our
review of the student database shows that we have added something
like 65+ new students to the roster over the past few years. We
have a broad range of ages and skill levels that keeps it
interesting for everyone.

Sunday was our first match of the Fall/Winter Red Eagle Polo League,
which will continue through November and early December. We're
really psyched up for this year's league. Our players are the
finest students in the school and they certainly played that way
this weekend. This year's league format has been adjusted to
accommodate players' hectic schedules—we'll identify a date for the
next match and any of our select students can sign up on a space-
available basis. This means that you can still experience fast
paced, league polo this fall even if you can make the entire series
of matches. But if you lock in now, all the better and already a
couple of players have done just that. This past Sunday's match
filled up in a flash so please be sure to check often with Mary for
the next match date. I believe it will be October 25th at 2PM.

The teams were looking good as they hit the arena at midday with
every player decked out in competition Potomac Polo jerseys. If you
don't have one yet, you should check with me now since I'm again
taking orders. Julia Smith, Jim Tompert and Dr. Keith Robertson
powered the white team and the black team was Dr. Dante Tedaldi,
Ryan Carey and Marcos Lopez. The ever-helpful Capt. Kerry Trojnar
provided expert video photography, scorekeeping, and grooming
support with special assistance from the always-stunning Michelle
Gillerman. Dr. Wilson Chang and other friends and relatives rounded
out the spectator mix. We already reviewed the game tapes and they
are very nice, not only for the participants but for other students
to see the beautifully classic polo that each team practiced. We'll
use highlights in the next clinic. Play did get fast and rough at
times and I thoroughly destroyed my pants, while Ryan tore hers as
well as her new jersey (ouch!). Each player ran two horses for four
chukkers with some very nice polo and a minimal number of fouls.
But the white team capitalized on every fouling opportunity and
Julia picked up three for three on the foul line with one for one
for teammate Jim. Unfortunately, the black team was unbeatable on
defense and managed to shut out the numerous attacks on goal of the
white team. I picked up three goals for the black team with one
apiece from Marcos and Ryan for a final score of 5 black and 4
white. But watch the video and you'll see how close it really was.
Many shots on goal juts fell shy for the white team and in spite of
coming up short they had an awesome time. Jim remarked that it was
the fasted polo that he has every played and I certainly had some
fun chasing down Julia on the resurrected Seabiscuit!

In the late afternoon most of us stayed at the arena after we did
the fastest untacking, washing, grooming and turnout in history so
that we could support Mary and Julia who played in the club match at
330PM. I proved the announcing for the match; Dr. Chang provided
the champagne and caviar in his top-notch tailgate party at
the `Vette. The club match was super fun to watch and I barely had
time to catch my breath while announcing. Joe Muldoon III, Mary
Muldoon, and Wayne B. made up the white Madison Hotel Team and John
C . Julia Smith, Javier Insua and Juan Carlos G. were the yellow
Trans Capital Team. The tenor of the match was set at the start
with Mary picking up two goals in quick succession. From that point
the yellow team fought the whole way to gain the lead but incredible
play from Wayne and Mary shut them down. The final score was 9 to 5
and Mary picked up at least three goals. Julia added some excellent
offensive and defensive action.

We really want to commend Julia for playing hard for the whole day
and competing in two matches! She's already the highest rated PPS
student and with another two years of training with her coach Mary
ahead of her before leaving for college she is sure to become an
intercollegiate powerhouse. Ryan is right on her heels and we
predict that we'll also see her join the ranks of intercollegiate
champions. Now that Ryan's back from her summer job with more time
for polo--watch out! Of course, we have big plans for all of our
students—each moving forward at a pace that works for them, but
always improving. Certainly, Marcos, Jim, Asmeen and several
others are ready to step up and get involved in weekly club play in
2004 through the special arrangements that only Mary and the PPS can
facilitate. With several up and coming PPS students who'll be
training hard this fall and next summer we should see another good
mix heading to club play in late 2004 and certainly in 2005 (see you
out there Dr. Chang!). It's really exciting what's happening here
and we're a just thrilled to be part of your introduction and
immersion into the sport of polo. Evening classes will be squeezed
in for another week in the big arena, and then daylight saving time
darkness will place us into the smaller but lighted arena for riding
for polo classes and two on two matches. Of course weekend polo is
a must and we'll expect all of you to get up and on your favorite
horse. See you soon and please come out and join us for some
awesome fall polo.