Olympics...uhmm, Guess What's Missing

Ok...this isn't an original thought by any means, but I just gotta say, what the hell are some of these obscure games doing in Beijing, but no polo?  The oldest and most meaningful team sport of humanity, played worldwide with plenty of amateur and professional players....with a variety of ways to do it (full field, arena, mid-goal, high-goal, etc.)...and it just can't be done?  Yes, yes I know the FIP, HPA, USPA, APA, and others have worked on this for years.   But it's my blog, so I am just pausing a moment to gripe.  Here is a link to the FIP's good review of the history of polo and the Olympics:   http://www.fippolo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=65

What does this have to do with this film, Of Kings & Cowboys?  Actually, a lot!   With this gorgeous, romantic film we make a HUGE marketing push for the game we love.  This is the best opportunity to spread the message of the beauty, power and accessibility of polo to millions of people worldwide.  And the best part?  98% of them will have no real understanding of polo before the lights go down in the theater...but when the lights come up, and they stop clapping (ok, a director has to dream!), I truly believe most will be new fans of our sport, with many of them looking to find a local club to attend and to play.

I am asking you, specifically you members of the world polo community, to see the golden opportunity that this film, Of Kings & Cowboys, represents:  a solid chance to get the game of kings (& cowboys) back into the Olympics.  Want to help?  Email me: dmbluerun@gmail.com   I'll get you plugged in.  Yes, it is a story I wrote, and a film I will direct.  But it is about all of us, about our horses, our game, our passions.  And there is an opportunity for you to get involved in a small way up to a level where you can help shape the film itself.   And yes it will be the very first polo feature, and sure there is some risk.  But I urge you to find a small investment and contact me.  We'll get you plugged in.  Our small team can't (and shouldn't) do this alone.  We need your help.  We need you to contribute/invest and help us get into the next Phase of this exciting process.  This is all about OUR beloved sport and with your help we can make huge strides in returning it to the Olympics.

If you agree, that it is a crying shame not to be in Beijing, please leave a comment here.

Ride on and on again in five interlinked colorful circles....

Comments

[Christopher Grace]

I actually had the oppurtunity to speak with a member of the Olympic Comittee about a year ago in Vienna and of course I asked him how come polo is not a sport in the Olympics. I was told polo is too elitist. Of course that is completely untrue and hypocritical considering sailing is probrably a lot more expensive than polo. I also use to ski race and that was definately more expensive than polo, but still skiing is an Olympic sport. In my opinion, the Olympics are pretty junky now anyway. Every time I turn it on it's some sort of lame karate event, beach vollyball, or BMX biking. Even the futbol is like a second rate World Cup. The other thing is baseball is now an Olympic sport but Rugy and Cricket (much more widely played) are not. Some people are boycotting the Olympics because of China's human rights record, but I think people should just boycott the Olympics because who actually cares about syncronized swimming, judo, or trampoline (all Oympic sports). And you can certainly bet that any of the few good events in the Olympics won't be televised.