Brown Fern

An American-bred, thoroughbred, gray gelding, Brown Fern was originally bred to race by Isabel Dodge Sloane, owner of the Brookmeade Stable, and was later owned by Michael Phipps. As per the great horseman Tommy Glynn, “In his new role as a polo performer, Brown Fern became a sensation.” After only two seasons in polo, Brown Fern played two excellent periods a game for Stewart Iglehart on the winning U.S. team of the 1936 International matches with Great Britain. He played in the 1937 U.S. Open Final for Phipps, and again for Phipps in the 1939 Internationals.

Brown Fern’s performance was recounted in many publications, and it was the consensus of the experts that “Brown Fern was not only the best pony in the winning team but the best brought on the field by either side.” Further it was said, “He has become a magnificent polo pony, and his services were of untold value… Brown Fern was always doing his bit at the crucial moment… and it is not too much to say that in some respects his performance was sensational. We have particularly in mind his wonderful effort in the last minute of the first game, when he was up against a fresh pony ridden by Mr. Balding. Although this was the close of Brown Fern’s second chukker in the match, he beat the other in the gallop and turn for the ball… Altogether, he is a pony which America can be proud to have bred.”

Brown Fern with Michael Phipps

Watercolor portrait of Brown Fern (Top Photo) by artist, Melinda Brewer; www.poloart.ca