62 THEORY AND PRACTICE OF POLO. [Chap. II. 



the modern development of polo.. He has the rare 

 gift of being able to animate the most moderate team 

 with his own enthusiasm, and to make them play up, 

 almost in spite of themselves. In addition to being 

 one of the best players ever seen on a polo ground, 

 he has the secret of making his team, no matter 

 who they are, do their utmost from start to finish, 

 and in this way he has pulled more matches out of 

 the metaphorical fire than anyone else. He is a 

 consummate master of the tactics of polo, and, in 

 addition to being the best Captain of a side I have 

 ever seen, is a w^onderful instructor to anyone with 

 or against whom he plays. Moreover, he plays up 

 just as hard and as keenly in an ordinary practice 

 game, as in a tight match. 



UMPIRING. 



An Umpire must not only have the rules at his 

 fingers' ends and be in constant practice, but must 

 also have quickness of eye, decision of character, 

 application to his work, confidence in the correct- 

 ness of his own opinion, and determination enough 

 to stick to it. He should ride a good polo pony, 

 work hard, never for a moment take his eyes off 

 the game, and give his decisions promptly and 

 clearly. His verdict is final, and should be re- 

 ceived in absolute silence, no matter what the 

 opinion of the players may be. To question his 

 decision, either openly or aside, is the height of bad 

 form. Even if we think that he has made a mis- 

 take, we should loyally keep that opinion to ourselves ; 

 for we must give him the credit of doing his best, 

 and must remember that the smartest of umpires 



