Chicken

A bay mare bred in Virginia of unknown parentage, Chicken was discovered in the Remount Depot at Front Royal by Col. Walter C. Short. She had a long career as a polo mount in many hard-fought campaigns of Army polo for Major W.W. Erwin and Capt. Peter Rodes.

Mr. Stevenson on Chicken after the ball; P&A photo from October 1927 POLO magazine

Then in 1927, proven as a true “war horse,” she again earned a place playing for her country, in the International series under Hall of Famer Malcolm Stevenson. In international competition, Chicken never played on a losing side. Though “aged,” she played with heart, tenacity and courage, and in 1927 was selected from among a huge field of superstar talent for the coveted Prince Friarstown Cup, given to the best mare playing in the tournament suitable to produce a polo pony, the highest award of that era. Polo Magazine noted, “She knows what it is to be brought out and asked to play when, because of soreness, the task is none too easy, but her gallant spirit carried her through, and her history concerns itself with victory upon victory.”

Capt. R.E. Craig on Chicken at left, Fort Bliss Polo Team, 1923 Pacific Circuit Cup Winners; photo from 1924 USPA Yearbook

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