Katrina

The great gray mare Katrina was bred and first played in Argentina by Charles N. “Bunny” Land. At the time of the trials for the 1930 Westchester Cup matches, she was owned by the Unites States Polo Association who lent her to the American team. Played by 10-goal legend and team captain Tommy Hitchcock, the powerful Katrina helped the U.S. to their victory over Great Britain.

At the conclusion of those matches, Hitchcock paid $10,000 to acquire this gifted mount. She went on to play with distinction for him in the 1933 East West matches, was played by Jimmy Mills in Hitchcock’s absence in the 1934 East West matches, and played gallantly for a total of 12 years and in 30 international contests.

In 1930, Polo magazine noted (alluding to Hitchcock’s piebald gelding, Tobiana), “This year the American captain was mounted on another pony of unusual coloring. Against the browns, the bays, and the chestnuts on International Field, the big gray Katrina was there for all to see. And in addition to being ridden by Hitchcock, and being easy to pick out, she was one of the best playing ponies on the field. In the first match, she was ridden only for one period. In the second, she was played for two, including that blazing sixth in which the Americans, going great guns, once and for all established their superiority.”

Tommy Hitchcock and Katrina

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