Polo by the Bay Concludes 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival

The 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival concluded four weeks of competition this afternoon with an exciting polo match that brought large crowds out to Flintfields Horse Park to enjoy a fun day in the sun. Coaches and players from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan polo teams were divided between Team Elmer’s and Team Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel to play against each other in the beautiful Grand Prix Ring overlooking Traverse City, MI.

Along with the polo match, Dressage by the Bay concluded this morning after holding in-hand classes in the VanKampen Arena. Sport horse prospects and breeding stock classes were followed by individual breed classes. The overall highest score of the in-hand classes was a 78.2 percent awarded to Idolo Americano, owned by Hampton Green Farm of Wellington, FL and Fruitport, MI. Idolo Americano, a USPRE stallion was handled by Tom Reed.

Spectators came out in a festive spirit for this afternoon’s polo match, many bringing picnic baskets, chairs, and blankets to spread out on the grassy hill overlooking the Grand Prix Ring. The VIP tent at the top of the hill featured a special fundraiser benefiting the Munson Medical Center Volunteers who are raising money for their new Cancer Center. Spectators were able to buy tickets for a catered lunch, and a champagne diamond drop was held with a $4,000 diamond going to the winner thanks to Federico’s Design Jewelers in downtown Traverse City. Spectators were also able to take part in the second annual hat contest, which awarded ribbons and prizes to participants in the categories of Best Team Elmer’s Spirit, Best Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel Spirit, Most Over the Top, and Silliest Hat.

After a very close, high scoring game, Team Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel won with a score of 12 to 10 over Team Elmer’s. It was an exciting match up with many goals, particularly by Tom Wisehart, coach of the Michigan State University polo team, who made the majority of Team Turtle Creek’s goals to lead the group to victory.

“It was a fun game,” Wisehart smiled. “A lot of back and forth. We were lucky to play with a good team and I have coached a few of those players for several years, so we know each other pretty well. We have been playing for a long time with the same people and I think we have good teamwork.”

Wisehart coaches the MSU team during the winter months and then travels and plays on the weekends during the summer. Wisehart and former University of Michigan coach Paul Knapp often play together, but were on different teams today. “There is a little bit of a rivalry, but it works out well that way because it makes for better polo,” Wisehart laughed.

Both MSU and U of M are club polo teams, not funded by the universities, and Wisehart explained that since the teams only play during the winter months, he gets the perk of having the MSU team horses to take care of and play during the summer. “I love the horses,” he acknowledged. “You can’t play the sport without the horses.”

Wisehart also noted that both teams play in benefits throughout the year, and in September they will hold a match on MSU’s campus to raise money for the upcoming season. “It is a fundraiser for both clubs because we don’t get funding from the universities since we are a club sport. We have to pay for the horses and keep them all year long, so we do a big benefit game to get money and help pay for things.”

Following the second year of polo at Horse Shows by the Bay, Wisehart explained that all of the players were eager to come back after last year’s match. “Last year was a good time and a good crowd,” he stated. “We can play polo any weekend in the backyard and not have anybody watch and it is fun, but at the same time it is kind of fun playing in front of a crowd. It is a fun sport and in this venue you can see the game really well. You can really see the plays develop, so it makes for a better spectator sport.”

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