Profiles in Polo

The late Horace A. Laffaye was a polo player and surgeon. He was on the board of directors of the Museum of Polo and was chairman of the Polo Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. His writings on the game included several books and many articles in magazines in North America, Argentina and England. He lived in Durango, Colorado.

Table of Contents



Acknowledgments     

Foreword by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales     

Preface by Horace A. Laffaye     



PART I. THE PIONEERS

Introduction     

Edward Hartopp: “This must be a good game”     

Thomas St. Quintin: “A Great Polo Pioneer”     

John Watson: The Founding Father     

Francis Herbert: “Killed a salmon, shot some grouse and played polo”     

Foxhall Keene: “A Life of Pure Delight”     

Harry Payne Whitney: “Total Polo”     



PART II. BETWEEN THE WARS

Introduction     

Johnny Traill: An Irishman from the Pampas     

Devereux Milburn: A Back for the Ages     

Lewis Lacey: Master of the Game     

Rao Raja Hanut Singh: “There is only one tiger....”     

Tommy Pope: The Horse Whisperer     

Earl Mountbatten of Burma: A Tangible Legacy     

Jim Ashton: Of the Brothers Four     



Between pages 104 and 105 are eight color plates containing 17 photographs



PART III. THE SUPERSTARS

Introduction     

Thomas Hitchcock Jr.: “The best of America was in his veins”     

Cecil Smith: The Cowboy from Llano     

Stewart Iglehart: “Best backhander in the game”     

Bob Skene: “Hurricane Bob”     

Carlos Menditeguy: “To be the best was effortless”     

Sinclair Hill: “I’ll give you fancy pants!”     

Juan Carlos Harriott Jr.: “The Aristocrat of Polo”     

Francisco Dorignac: The Chieftain     



PART IV. SHAKERS AND MOVERS

Introduction     

Lord Cowdray: He Saved the Day for England     

John Oxley: Patron and Benefactor     

Kerry Packer: Winning Whatever the Cost     

Michael Rattray: Player, Promoter and Environmentalist     

Marcos Uranga: A Vision Splendid     

Claire Tomlinson: “The most influential lady player”     



PART V. THE GREAT CONTEMPORARIES

Introduction     

H.R.H. The Prince of Wales: The Prince of Polo     

Alberto Pedro Heguy: Basque Blood—Passion and Verve     

Julian Hipwood: A Living Polo Legend     

Harold Barry: “A galloping oak with the soul of a poet”     

Gonzalo Pieres: Superstar and Entrepreneur     

Guillermo Gracida Jr.: The Field General     

Adolfo Cambiaso: “There is a kid from Cañuelas....”     



Afterword     

About the Contributors     

Bibliography     

Index