258 POLO 



Phoenix Park and pass their remarks on players and ponies 

 often perhaps in uncomplimentary language, but generally very 

 much to the point. Numerous county clubs now exist in 

 Ireland, and none are in a more flourishing condition than 

 the West Meath Club, which has sent a team nearly every year 

 to compete for the All Ireland Open Cup. Carlow and Kildare 

 are also well to the front as polo counties. 



About 1884 the larger stamp of pony began to be more 

 used, though in earlier days there were some very nearly if not 

 quite fourteen hands, notably, a grey belonging to Mr. Brockle- 

 hurst and a white belonging to Mr. Reginald Herbert, on which 

 animals these gentlemen are depicted as playing, in Mr. Earl's 

 picture. 



Looking back at the changes that polo has undergone 

 during the twenty odd years of its existence in Britain, it may 

 be said that there have been three distinct phases or periods in 

 the game, viz, the first period, when it was a comparatively 

 slow, dribbling game, played on small ponies, of which the 

 Messrs. Murrieta were the ablest exponents ; the second 

 period, when the numbers were limited to four a side, and 

 owing mainly to the Messrs. Peat, it became a fast, galloping 

 game, in which, except for the placing of a man back to guard 

 the goal, there was no organisation of the sides, each of the 

 three forward players playing much as he listed ; and the 

 third or present period, which, owing to Mr. John Watson, is 

 quite a scientific game, each member of a team being assigned 

 his position in the field, and having distinct duties attached to 

 that position. It is therefore very apparent that now the ex- 

 cellence of a polo team is not so entirely a matter of individual 

 ability (though that is of course of very primary importance), 

 but that it depends on combination, and on a man not only 

 knowing his place and duties, but sticking to them and playing 

 for his side, and not for himself. 



There is no doubt that when polo was first introduced 

 into England it was looked upon generally as a purely and 

 essentially military game, but public opinion* altered, and as 



