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What's New at Great Meadow?
With the summer polo season bearing down on Fauquier's horse country, we decided to take a minute to see what's new in the fast-paced sport.
Newly-named Great Meadow Foundation president Rob Banner and Great Meadow Polo manager John Gobin took time out of their busy Monday to banter a bit about what's in store for the 2009 season.
Fauquier Times-Democrat: The summer season is just a week away. Polo schools are going full-swing, and leagues are being formed. What's new this year in the world of polo?
John Gobin: Every day the Bermuda grass field is greening up a little more. We've got a full schedule planned this summer, with regular Twilight games every Saturday, and games on the field, too. (New Great Meadow Foundation president) Rob Banner is an insider in Virginia's horse country. That is a big benefit.
Rob Banner: It's my job to promote “the New Deal” at Great Meadow. We have an all-new regime – a new president – that's me, an all-new board, a new chairman. I'm going to do everything I can to maximize the policies and procedures set into motion at Great Meadow by (its founder) Nick Arundel. He set up the facility, but now he's stepped down. It's my job to promote, promote, promote.
FTD: From the outside, polo looks like a game for rich white guys. You need tons of horses, lots of equipment, a few grooms, maybe a trainer. But you're saying that's not the case?
Banner: We're always a little hard-pressed to avoid that “elitist” aura that seems to surround polo, but I think arena polo goes a long way to fix that. It's totally spectator friendly, and it really “invests” people in the game, whether they're just out here from the city for the weekend, or if they're (professional horsemen). The game is in-your-face.
Gobin: Plus, everybody can learn to play. There are schools all around the area, and league games. Every level.
FTD: It can appear that clubs in the area are in competition with one another. They plan their schedules and big games for a cohesive calendar, but how does that work out?
Gobin: I like to think of it this way: we're the tide that everybody else rises up with. If Great Meadow got the ball rolling, all the other clubs, everybody, really, benefits. Nobody (in the sport of polo) is a walled city. We're all in this together. We're not against anybody, we're all for polo. The more the better...See the Wednesday print edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete interview.
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