"Big Four"

Open fields on Long Island reverberated with the furious drumming of horses' hoofs. Riders shouted and strained. There was heard the solid impact of bodies, the crash of weapons, the slap and squeak of straining leather.

It was not Indian warfare nor even a rodeo, but U. S. poloists preparing to defend the International Challenge Cup* against an English invasion next month. Crowds along the sideboards at Westbury and Port Washington trained their glasses. The Defense Committee of the U. S. Polo Association (H. P. Whitney, R. E. Strawbridge Sr., L. E. Stoddard, D. Milburn) scrutinized closely the aspirants for the "Big Four" as they beat the willowwood balls about in practice matches three times a week.

Charged with selecting the final combination, the Defense Committee shifted and experimented with a White team (first) and a Blue (second), later called A and B.

Their chief problems were to find a No. 1 man, to decide on a No. 3.

Their material:

Devereux Milburn--officially named captain of the U. S. team, a seasoned campaigner of all the International matches since 1909, often called " world's greatest polo player." He plays at Back, a hard-hitting, hard-bodied tactician. The English fear him as they fear no other American.

Thomas Hitchcock Jr.--his father played on the first U. S. team to meet England, in 1886. He, now only 24, played against England in 1921, was a titan on the offense. His power and accuracy with a mallet are prodigious, his strokes are long, high loops. He was certain of his old position at No. 2.

Malcolm Stevenson--a substitute on the 1914 "Big Four." A smallish man, short and dark, he is not spectacular in a melee. His play is clever, steady defense at No. 3, where he pairs splendidly with Milburn and does the backing up during Milburn's tearing charges. His handicap, 9 goals, is but one less than Hitchcock's and Milburn's.

Eric Pedley--a rangey, youthful Californian, the first Westerner to be even mentioned for an International tour. Within two weeks of appearing on an Eastern field he displaced J. Watson Webb at No. 1 on Team A with smashing play. He is an all-round athlete, magnificent horseman. During one match, he surprised the gallery when he crouched over his horse's neck, jockey-like, in "riding off" an opponent. The ordinary method is to sit clamped in the saddle.

J. Watson Webb--a 9-goal man, No. 3 of the 1921 team. With Pedley filling the position he was experimenting for, he would probably displace Stevenson at No. 3 if any one.

Robert E. Strawbridge Jr.--Trying for No. 3, this young Philadelphian for days concealed the fact of a broken rib, but ultimately had to lose a week's practice. Sound, he might beat out Webb and Stevenson or even Pedley.

Louis E. Stoddard--No. 1 of the 1921 team, since relapsed but still potential.

Earl W. Hopping--a useful offense man, fresh from English triumphs, but not likely to budge Hitchcock or Pedley.

Stephen Sanford--fitfully brilliant.

Morgan Belmont--6-goal man.

At Hurlingham, English polo Mecca, two factions grumbled at each other over the choice of a British team. Keenness to snare the Cup roused their feelings. Then announcement was made: Maj. T. W. Kirkwood or Lieut.-Col. T. P. Melvill, No. 1; Maj. G. H. Phipps-Horneby, No. 2; Maj. F. B. Hurndall, No. 3; Louis Lacey, back. Alternate No. 2 or 3, Maj. E. G. Atkinson. Alternate back, Maj. Vivian Lockett.

Horneby's play is said to depend, for some mental reason, on Kirkwood's presence in front of him. Lockett is the sole member of the 1921 contingent.

The S.S. Minnetonka docked in Manhattan, unshipped 46 mounts for the Englishmen, escorted by Col. Melvill. Eight of these steeds will soon be followed over by their owner, Edward of Wales. Of this latter, said Melvill: "He's quite a good rider and a damn sight braver than I."

*International polo dates from 1886, when a team from Hurlingham, England, visited the U. S. The Challenge Cup, then donated by The Westchester Polo Association, remained at Hurlingham, safe from U. S. attacks in 1900 and 1902. In 1909, Harry Payne Whitney organized a "Big Four," bore off the Cup to Meadow Brook. The U. S. defended ably in 1911 and 1913. In 1914 the English recaptured, to lose again in 1921, the most recent series. Two out of three matches are played.