University of Virginia Library

Horsemen Preparing For
Intercollegiate Contests

By Lawrence Burman

With the coming of spring, the
Virginia Polo Team has begun rapid
preparation for the Intercollegiate
games. The elimination tournament
will occupy a week, and culminate
in the Championship game itself on
March 15. The team is presently
working out on Farmington's
field, and Coach Harry
Robertshaw expects the Cavalier
squad to be in top form for the
coming contest.

The team will consist of John
Cutler at the offensive one position,
Rob Rinhart at the pivotal two
post, and team captain Ray Norden
at back. Norden and Rinhart are
already well known to Wahoo fans
from the Fall season, in which they
both made enormous contributions
to the team. Culter, the Club
president will be replacing former
captain Willie McCormick, who is
unable to be present this year.

While the loss of a player of
McCormick's caliber is a definite
set- back for the team, Cutler's
demonstrated ability on last
season's junior varsity squad will
hopefully off-set the loss. Possible
alternates are Dave Banks, both
members of the successful junior
varsity.

The major obstacle to a Cavalier
victory in the Intercollegiates in the
past has been the difference
between the indoor and outdoor
polo game. Brook Hill Farm,
Virginia's present home field,
however, is basically outdoor; large
with low boards around it. An
indoor field, however, is much
smaller and surrounded with high
boards. As Coach Robertshaw puts
it, "The ball bounces off the boards
and back onto the field. You have
to learn to play these caroms; it
adds a little billiards to the game."
The indoor game is characterized
by quick, reflexive action, and stresses
faster shooting and more rapid
movements , rather than the
accuracy and horsemanship of the
outdoor game.

Needless to say, the fact that the
Intercollegiates will be played
indoors is a handicap to the Wahoo
squad. However, Coach Robertshaw
feels that the intensive practice at
Farmington's indoor field this
winter will adequately prepare the
team for the competition.

Virginia's momentum, built up
during the fall season, should carry
the team through the opening
rounds. Hopefully, the massive
defeats inflicted on two of the
major Wahoo rivals, Yale and
Pennsylvania, will demoralize them
in the elimination rounds. The most
formidable opponent will be
Cornell University, which narrowly
inflicted the only defeat the
Cavaliers suffered last season.

Starting next week, the horses
will begin returning from their
winter quarters, and the full string
should be at Brook Hill by mid
March. The first game of the spring
season, with Pennsylvania, is
scheduled for April 6. The Club will
officially begin functioning with a
meeting on March 17, at which
time any interested people will be
able to join the Club.