PONY POWER

POLO PONY NEWS….THE PONIES ARE THE GAME!
WITH ADAM BUCHERT

I suppose now is as good a time as any to start my column dedicated solely to the Polo Pony. 2007 was not a good year for Australian Polo with the break out of Equine Influenza putting a stop to all polo events in NSW and QLD. One positive has been that players and breeders have been able to get things done around the properties that would not have been done during polo season. I know myself it was great to get to Terrigal Beach for the October Long weekend. I can’t remember an October Long weekend without being at The Hector King Tournament at Windsor.
So this column is going to be dedicated to The Polo Pony, Stories, Interviews, Breeding anything that relates to that amazing steed The Polo Pony. I will do my best to keep you up to date with the performances, views, interviews and a local and international market wrap up, but all contributions will be greatly accepted. You can email me any information, gossip or facts….. preferably facts to adambuchertpolo@optusnet.com.au
I was speaking with some International Players in December and they told me that Prices for polo ponies are on the way up with a Pony played by Facundo Pieres for $200,000 US at the Argentine Open. It is rumored to be a Mare called Mecha who came out in no less than three (3) chukkas in the final. Mecha is by Lode who is a Mr Prospector Horse out of an Argentine Thoroughbred mare called Bless My Way. There were supposedly 3 or 4 players after the mare including Adolfo Cambioso which contributed to the price. Mr Prospector bloodlines have been sought after for polo for quite a few years now but because of the volume of Mr Prospector Stallions available you need to be sure to look closely at the mares breeding as well……
The annual series of Pony Auctions also took place in Argentina this year in conjunction with the Argentine Open. The Prices were also up there with unplayed 3 year olds selling in the $70,000US to $100,000US range on numerous occasions. Makes our Australian Prices look pretty cheap
The Champion Pony of the Final of the 2007 Argentine Open final went to “Machitos Jazz”. Bred and Owned by Mariano Aguerre and Australian Ex Pat Nick Manifold in Partnership. Jazz is by Pucara` out of a mare called Cumbia. It is interesting to note that Jazz had 2 full siblings being played by Mariano and a three Quarter sister called “Batucada” who was out of “Cumbia” but by a Son of “Pucara” Which just shows you how effective their embryo program is.
This must be one awesome mare as she was up against some brilliant mares including last years Champion pony the amazing Dolfina Cuartetera. Cuartetera is an amazing type and in my opinion is the Perfect Polo pony. A great length of hip, perfect length of rein, combined with the right proportioned back and girth she is just fantastic.
Speaking of Champions it was great to see “Proof” a mare bred by the Bailleau family in Victoria win the Champion Pony Prize at The Coronation Cup earlier this year. “Proof” played for a few years here in Australia under Ruki Bailleau and was then exported for Ruki to play in the UK. Ruki still owns the mare but lent her to Jose Donoso to play when Chile took on England in the Coronation Cup, which Chile subsequently won. Proof is by one of the Bailleau’s Stallions called Tommy out of their retired mare Poppy. Tommy has since died.
That’s it for this month get next months copy of Polo Blue for more exciting information from the world of the Polo Pony….