Polo Club Journeys to Texas

Just call them Harvard Slickers.

Six members of Harvard's men's and women's polo teams abandoned the calm New England pastures for the sun-baked Texas ranch of former Harvard polo player Tommy Lee Jones '69.

None of them were Jack Palance--the aged, learned cowboy in Billy Crystal's popular film "City Slickers"--but these six rough riders cleaned up after horses, shot doves and, oh, played polo in the sun for eight hours a day.

"It was the most amazing experience I've had on horseback," says Karen M. Moren '94, one of the three members of the women's varsity team that went to Texas.

Jones, an Oscar nominee last year for his supporting role in "JFK," has had an ongoing relationship with Harvard's polo teams and has hosted a week of fall training for the past three years.

Members of the team practiced individual drills and participated in scrimmages against their hosts, all under the tutelage of Jones, who heads the San Saba Polo Club, and coaches from the United States Polo Association.

The week of training is not just a fun road trip, though, the polo players contend. The all-day workouts in 90-degree weather were strenuous and worthwhile, they say.

"It definitely was a great opportunity to learn and improve," says varsity starter Erich D. Lambrecht '94. "The team improved immeasurably."

Laure Nishioka '93 says Jones' coaching techniques were effective if brisk, and adds that the week of training is key due to Harvard's inadequate polo facilities.

Jones, who roomed with Al Gore '69 while at Harvard, could not be reached for comment.

After the long workouts, the team members returned to their rooms and sometimesfound scorpions in their beds. One player had arather close encounter with a rattlesnake. And theplayers had to care for the horses--donated byTolbort Wilkinson, a friend of Jones.

"It was exhausting, but we had a great time,"Moren says.

Members of the polo team did take a break fromtraining to watch Jones film a documentary for theLower Colorado River Authority and to shoot doveswith their host.

"We're indebted to Wilkinson and Tommy LeeJones for this great opportunity," Lambrecht says.Photo Courtesy Harvard Polo ClubTOMMY LEE JONES '69 poses with members ofthe Polo Club.

"It was exhausting, but we had a great time,"Moren says.

Members of the polo team did take a break fromtraining to watch Jones film a documentary for theLower Colorado River Authority and to shoot doveswith their host.

"We're indebted to Wilkinson and Tommy LeeJones for this great opportunity," Lambrecht says.Photo Courtesy Harvard Polo ClubTOMMY LEE JONES '69 poses with members ofthe Polo Club.