Little Lou Dee

Bred and owned by Tommy and Billy Wayman, this gallant little black mare played in eight U.S. Opens, the Cup of the Americas and the World Cup. She was named Best Playing Pony in the Intercircuit Cup and the Silver Cup, and won the Hartman Award at the U.S. Open in 1975. That same year, Little Lou Dee and Tommy also won the Butler Handicap, the Gold Cup and the Camacho Cup.

In 1982, a writer noted, “She’s won so many awards that both Billy and Tommy Wayman have lost track. Her mother, Big Lou Dee, won almost as many herself.”

At 15.1 hands, Little Lou Dee looked small. But she carried Billy Wayman for two seasons and Tommy for six. She had a good head, a nice short back, short pasterns and a good flat bone. Her talent was for going from a standing stop to a wide-open run. Little Lou Dee was also extremely bold, yet very, very easy. And because she took care of herself, she was never lame. Tommy stated, “She was just the perfect polo pony, always sound and always ready to play. She was one of those exceptional horses, 1 in 10,000 that come along once in a lifetime.”

“A little mare,” Billy Wayman added, “with a great big heart.”

Watercolor portrait of Little Lou Dee (Top Photo) by artist, Melinda Brewer; www.poloart.ca