Royal Diamond

Considered to be one of the greatest polo mounts of her day, the stunning bay mare Royal Diamond was part of the superior string of ponies of Hall of Famer Harry Payne Whitney, and one of his most treasured. The resilient mare had a long and illustrious career playing for him and also as a mount for the hard-riding Tommy Hitchcock, another Hall of Fame great. She played 2 chukkers under him in the International matches of 1921.

Royal Diamond made history as the first winner of the Best Polo Pony in Show Champion Cup at the debut of the National Polo Pony Society Show in 1919, in which she had to excel both at play in the major tournaments and in the show ring. To take top honors she had to compete against a large contingent of exceptional peers. Her win is a testament to her extraordinary talent and her merit as an ideal polo pony.

After an injury later in her career, Royal Diamond was retired to the Whitney farm on Long Island and lived out the rest of her years there.

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