This book, with contributions from many of the world's leading polo journalists, profiles more than 30 of the most influential polo players from history. The players covered were selected for inclusion based on their overall impact on the game rather than their prowess on the field, although many covered are considered all-time greats. Each chapter covers an individual player, including early pioneers, those who played during the "golden era" (the years between World War I and World War II), superstars, game-changers, and great contemporaries. The book includes numerous photographs and a foreword by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales.
"A marvelous addition to the literature of inspirational sports stories." - Booklist (Starred Review) "This remarkable and inspiring story shines." - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "Crossing the Line will not just leave you with hope, but also ideas on how to make that hope transferable” - New York Times bestselling author Wes Moore An inspiring memoir of defying the odds from Kareem Rosser, captain of the first all-black squad to win the National Interscholastic Polo championship. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Kareem thought he and his siblings would always be stuck in “The Bottom”, a community and neighborhood devastated by poverty and violence. Riding their bicycles through Philly’s Fairmount Park, Kareem’s brothers discover a barn full of horses. Noticing the brothers’ fascination with her misfit animals, Lezlie Hiner, founder of The Work to Ride stables, offers them their escape: an after school job in exchange for riding lessons. What starts as an accidental discovery turns into a love for horseback riding that leads the Rossers to discovering their passion for polo. Pursuing the sport with determination and discipline, Kareem earns his place among the typically exclusive players in college, becoming part of the first all-Black national interscholastic polo championship team—all while struggling to keep his family together. Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever is the story of bonds of brotherhood, family loyalty, the transformative connection between man and horse, and forging a better future that comes from overcoming impossible odds.
Though polo is commonly associated with Britain and South America, the sport also enjoys a strong following in the United States. This comprehensive history describes the evolution of polo in the U.S., from its beginnings in a New York City riding academy in 1876 to the 2010 Open Championship held in Florida. The principal early players and the first polo clubs are covered, as is American participation in the Olympics, polo at universities and colleges, women's polo, indoor polo, and polo in the military. Additionally, chapters also examine polo in the arts and in literature.
Equipped with a backpack full of supplies, Polo sets off on a little boat andon a series of delightful adventures with a world of magical encounters alongthe way. Full color.
Marco Polo was seventeen when he set out for China . . . and forty-one when he came back! More than seven hundred years ago, Marco Polo traveled from the medieval city of Venice to the fabled kingdom of the great Kublai Khan, seeing new sights and riches that no Westerner had ever before witnessed. But did Marco Polo experience the things he wrote about . . . or was it all made-up? Young readers are presented with the facts in this entertaining, highly readable Who Was . . . ? biography with black-and-white artwork by John O?Brien.
This work--the first of its kind in more than sixty years--covers polo in Argentina, from its beginnings in the 1870s to the summer of 2013. The history of the early pioneers is constructed with data not previously published, gathered from contemporary sources. International competitions are covered and include the Olympic Games, the Cup of the Americas and the World Championships. Particular attention is given to the major clubs, the Argentine and Hurlingham Open Championships, and the National Handicap Tournament. Several of the elite players merit individual or family mini-biographies. Myths in Argentine polo are also debunked, based upon careful analysis of contemporary sources. Travels abroad by Argentine teams are fully described as are the foreign teams that competed in Argentina. The work is enhanced by the author's personal observation of significant events and friendship with many of the participants.
The definitive guide to learning polo and looking 'awesome' whilst one's at it! Taking a very modern approach to the traditional game of polo, this is more than just a technical 'how-to' guide, it provides everything you need to go from zero to hero on the polo field, and more importantly -- make sure you look cool whilst doing it!
