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The most prestigious and oldest polo tournament in the United States, the world series of the 105th US Open Championship, was interrupted at the weekend, when fourteen superbly fit polo ponies, valued around $200,000 each, stumbled confused and dizzy out of their trailers. One by one they collapsed onto the grass. Officials are doing everything they can to ascertain what actually happened.
Despite vets pouring water onto the feverish animals, fourteen were dead, just 45 minutes before the game started. Blue tarps were hastily strung between the trailers, so as to shield the dying horses from the well dressed, ultra-rich, champagne drinking crowd. Rumours swirled like wild-fire as the announcement was made to hold an exhibition, instead of the featured tournament game.
Veterinarian at the Palm Beach Equine Club, Dr Scott Swerdlin, helped treat the dying horses. “It appeared the animals died of heart failure,” he said. “It may have been caused by some kind of toxin that could have come from tainted food, vitamins, or supplements, or a combination of something given in error to the horses.” It could be weeks before the toxicology tests reveal the facts.
A total of 21 of the Venezuelan-owned horses, belonging to the Lechuza Caracas polo team died. Some officials from the International Palm Beach Polo Club said the horses may have died from some kind of poison. Others said the deaths were purely accidental. While still others were of the opinion the deaths were caused by a reaction to a steroid derivative, which may have been tainted with a cleaning solution. The injections are thought to have been administered by an Argentine vet, who has no license to act in the United States.
Victor Vargas, reclusive middle aged multimillionaire and owner of the Lechuza Caracas polo team, as well as being one of the players, is said to have openly wept as he held some of the dying horses. “Vargas is very enthusiastic about polo,” said Scott Swerdlin. “He loves to play and hang out with the players. He hosts great parties for the groom and the players. They’re as if they are his family.”
Every year since 1999 the team has played in the US Open and was being toted as the favourite to win the title. The team had around 40 thoroughbreds, with the players and horses mainly being Argentinean. The team spends the majority of the year travelling.
Since the death of the horses the team has made no public comment. Vargas is a very private person, in spite of his outgoing nature. The North American Polo League website, says Vargas has several banking and oil holdings in the US, Venezuela, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The site also states that he is president of the Venezuelan Bank Association and director of the Latin American Banks Federation.
A Palm Beach Polo Club announcer, Coppola, says “The reaction throughout the polo community worldwide has been one of disbelief and grief.” The tournament resumed after three days.
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