Page 96 - OCEAN BLUE - WINTER 2013

SPORTS & TOYS

POLO

in MÉxico

by: Chucho Solórzano
Photo by: Cortesía Ameyalco Polo Club

The game of polo has deep roots in
the history of Mexican sports. It was
introduced in the country by the
Escandón Barrón family at the turn of
the century, when one of its members,
Manuel Escandón y Barrón, Marquis of
Villavieja, saw the game in Newport, USA.

In its first stage, the sport was practiced México´s best performance in a world In Paris 1900, México was tied in the third place
tournament was in the Polo World Tournament with the French-British team “Bagatelle Paris”.
exclusively by civil sportsmen, and the first in 1987, where the players reached a sub- The Mexicans lined up Guillermo Hayden
club in the country was the polo section of the championship. Today, México has a world Wright, Eustaquio de Escandón y Barrón,
Mexican Jockey Club, founded in 1881. renowned player, Carlos Gracida, considered Pablo de Escandón y Barrón, and Manuel de
Among the pioneer players we can mention one of the best polo players in the world. The Villavieja Escandón y Barrón. In 1936 they also
Carlos Rincón Gallardo y Romero de Terreros, Mexican polo team is one of the oldest in the won third place and the bronze medal.
Duke of Regla and Marquis of Villahermosa de world, it participated in the second Olympic
Alfaro, also called the “Father of the Charrería.” Games in Paris 1900, as well as in the first
In México, the first courts were located in World Tournament in 1987.
the property of the Escandón Barrón family, México competed in two of the five Olympics
in Tacubaya, as well as in the Condesa in which polo was played. It had the honor
Hipodrome. In those first years, European of participating in the first and last games in
polo players came to Mexico, among them, the which polo was considered an Olympic sport,
Spaniard Luis de Errazu. and both times it deserved the bronze medal.

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