Gerald Matthews Balding

After the first World War, the English-born Gerald Balding, then in his twenties, was invited by United States Polo Association President Robert Strawbridge to come to America “to train our boys how to play the game.” He made the trip and became an instructor for the Rumson Polo Club. He went on to become an internationally known standout during the Golden Age of Polo, rated 9 goals in the U.S. and 10 goals in England. As a player in America, he won the Junior Championship in 1928; the 1930 Hurlingham Champion Cup with the Hurricanes team; the U.S. Open in 1935 and 1936 with the mighty Greentree team; and the Monty Waterbury Cup in 1930 and 1935. In 1936, Balding represented America against Argentina in the Cup of the Americas.

Gerald Balding 2^nd from right) with the Greentree team; 1936 U.S. Open winners; Tommy Hitchcock Jr., John Whitney and George Bostwick

Gerald Balding – 1930s

Gerald Balding (2^nd from left) with the 1928 Silver Cup winning team (Brenda- please confirm that the trophy is the Silver Cup although in 1928 it was called the Twenty goal)