Polo In The Mid-South The Phoenix Cup On June 20 the Memphis Polo Club held The Phoenix Cup, a 0-4 Goal Tournament, including a family picnic, which benefitted the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis. This special event for the Phoenix Club was open to everyone. The match started at 5 p.m. and lasted about two hours. Spectators enjoyed a picnic and socializing under shady canopies. At halftime, there were free pony rides for children, while Mrs. Ima Erb and her daughter Margaret demonstrated pony driving as they tooled around the arena. Each polo match consists of 4 to 6 chukkers (periods) that last seven and a half minutes. At the end of the chukker, the players change horses. Each team consists of four players: an offensive player, an offensive midfielder, the pivot (often the highest-rated player), and the defensive back. Like football, players try to hit the ball through the goal posts at each end of the field to score one point. After each goal, the teams change sides. Two mounted umpires accompany the players, and a third referee sits near the middle of the field. If you wonder whether it ever gets too hot to play polo, Jimmy Wetter explained how they handle the heat: “Each player has 6 horses. The horses are in play for 7 minutes, then they are 'showered’ and get to rest in the shade. Riders take time out between periods.” Club Manager Alfredo Guerreno has been working for the Erbs for about five years. He started riding polo horses when he was 14 years old. He came to the U. S., to Houston, from Argentina when he was 18 years old. He was a groom and traveled a lot n to places like Chicago, New York, and Palm Beach. Then he returned to Argentina for three years, and started again with polo in the U.S. five years ago. He was hired in Palm Beach to work with young horses, then Hamish Bray, former manager for the Erbs and Memphis Polo Association, offered him a job to come to the Erbs’. Last year he became Polo Manager and finds that the Erbs’ Farm is “a nice place to enjoy the sport! This is a great opportunity and a great family to work for. It is consistent work and I like to do things the correct way,” he said. He is the first Argentinian they have hired. He likes teaching children to play polo and gives polo lessons at the Erbs’ Farm. His goal is “to make this the top club for polo.” The next Memphis Polo event is Saturday, July 11th at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 per person, kids under 10 get in free, and dogs are welcome on leashes. Please come out, spread the word and bring a tailgate party. It will be a lot of fun! Other upcoming Polo events are: July 18-19: Tennessee Waltz (4-6- Goal Tournament) July 25-26: Blues City Cup (4-6- Goal Tournament) August 1-2: Rossville Ramble August 8-9: Dog Days Challenge (0-4 Goal Tournament) September 11-13: Memphis Polo Invitational (6-8 Goal Tournament) September 19-20: Wildwood Cup (4 Goal Tournament) October 3-4: 6 Goal Tournament October 10-11: 0-4 Goal Tournament October 17-18: 6 Goal Tournaments The Memphis Polo Club plays and trains on 200 acres of beautifully landscaped countryside near Rossville, TN. Weekend tournaments are completely open to the public and are a great way to spend an afternoon with family and friends. The polo grounds are located at 1705 Frazier Rd. at Stinson Rd., south of Hwy 57, between Rossville and Moscow. For directions, more details, and to buy tickets, visit their web site: http://www.memphispoloclub.com/. For more information, you can also contact Club Manager Alfredo Guerreño at 901-230-0944 or email: alfredo@memphispoloclub.com.