(1888PressRelease)
April 25, 2009 - Fourteen thoroughbred polo ponies, valued at around $200,000 each, tumbled disorientated and dizzy from their trailers at the world series of the 105th US Open Championship. This is the most prestigious and oldest polo tournament in the United States. One by one the horses collapsed onto the grass. Officials bent over backwards to find the cause of the problem.
The vets poured copious amounts of water over the feverish animals, but 14 horses died, just 45 minutes before the start of their game. Blue tarps were hurriedly hung, to shield the dying horses from the well dressed, ultra-rich, champagne drinking crowd. Rumours swirled through the crowd when the decision was made to swap the featured tournament game with an exhibition one.
Dr Scott Swerdlin, a veterinarian from the Palm Beach Equine Club, treated some of the dying horses. “It appeared the animals died of heart failure,” he said. “It may have been caused by some kind of toxin that could have come from tainted food, vitamins, or supplements, or a combination of something given in error to the horses.” It could be weeks before the results of the toxicology tests are known.
A total of 21 of the Venezuelan-owned horses, belonging to the Lechuza Caracas polo team, died. While some officials from the International Palm Beach Polo Club believe the horses may have been killed by poison, others firmly believe the deaths were accidental. Yet, still others are of the opinion it was a reaction to a steroid derivative that may have been tainted with a cleaning solution. The injections are believed to have been given to the animals by an Argentine non-US licensed vet.
Reclusive Victor Vargas, a middle aged multimillionaire and team owner, is also a player in the Lechuza Caracas polo team. It is reported he wept openly as he held his dying horses. “Vargas is very enthusiastic about polo. He loves to play and hang out with the players,” said Scott Swerdlin.”He throws great parties for the groom and the players. He treats them like family.”
The Lechuza Caracas team was held to be the favourite to win the tournament. It has played in the US Open every year since 1999. The team owned around 40 thoroughbreds, with the players and horses being mainly Argentinean. The team travels for the most part of the year.
No public comments have been made since the death of the horses. In spite of his outgoing nature, Vargas is a very private person. According to the North American Polo League website, Vargas has various banking and oil holdings in the US, Venezuela, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The site reports that he is also president of the Venezuelan Bank Association and director of the Latin American Banks Federation.
“The reaction throughout the polo community worldwide has been one of disbelief and grief,” said Coppola, the Palm Beach Polo Club announcer. The tournament resumed after three days.
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