Rotallen

Northrup Knox’s Rotallen was one of his legendary group of mares known as the “4 Rs” and with them Knox was generally recognized as the best mounted man in polo. In Argentina, with her stable-mate Ragamuffin, Rotallen played eight periods during the Cup of the Americas in both 1966 and 1969. She emerged from those contests famed for her heart, tenacity and extraordinary level of play.

Rotallen was foaled in Rio Medina, Texas, bred by Albert Beck. As a two-year-old, she won a race in New Orleans and caught the eye of Cecil Smith who bought her and trained her for polo. Rotallen played gamely in the major tournaments of 1964 and 1965, including the 20 Goal; she was played in the U.S. Open at Oakbrook by Cecil’s son, Charles Smith. Before the U.S. Open in Santa Barbara in 1966, Rotallen was tried by Lewis Smith who was then playing for Northrup R. Knox. Smith called Knox and urged her purchase, and the pony won the Hartman Award two weeks later as part of Norty Knox’s outstanding string. She played in the Cup of the Americas in 1966 and 1969, and in 1969 she won Best Playing Pony of the National 16-Goal. The lovely Rotallen joins her equally talented stable-mate, Ragamuffin, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame previously.

Norty Knox and Rotallen

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