‘ANINI — While a lot of the attention focused on the week-old filly that frolicked in one of the Kauai Polo Club pens, two girls worked diligently to care for the herd of polo ponies following a practice session Sunday.
‘ANINI — While a lot of the attention focused on the week-old filly that frolicked in one of the Kauai Polo Club pens, two girls worked diligently to care for the herd of polo ponies following a practice session Sunday.
They are different from the grooms who go to the ‘Anini area to take brides.
Bette Layton, one of the leaders for the Kauai Polo Club, noted that Becky Cameron is only 15, and probably is one of the youngest grooms in the state.
A freshman, going to be sophomore when school resumes in August, Cameron is the daughter of Peter Cameron, one of the club’s players during the season that will open this Sunday, June 5, starting at 3 p.m.
“I’ve been a groom for five years,” Becky Cameron says with an enthusiasm that barely conceals the fact that she might get to ride this year.
“Last year, I got to get in some practice and hopefully, this year I hope to play,” she said excitedly.
“She’s a real good rider, too,” explained Melissa Berry, the other groom who cares for the stable of ponies that, according to Layton, are pastured at the ‘Anini club facilities during the season.
“I grew up with horses in my front yard,” Berry said. “And, I’ve always been around horses.”
After moving to Kaua‘i, Berry has been working with equestrian facilities such as the Princeville Ranch, and Silver Falls Ranch, before settling in with the polo club, where she has spent her last six years tending to the ponies.
The grooms’ efficiency is due in part to their boss, Ricardo Villegas, the head groom as well as a player for the club.
“He’s the whole enchilada,” Layton laughed.
As Becky Cameron circled one of the idle pastures, Villegas explained that she was exercising two of the ponies who weren’t being used for the practice games last Sunday.
Villegas noted that, like human athletes, the horses need to be conditioned, so when they do take the field, they have the stamina and conditioning to be able to handle the chukkers (polo periods).
In addition to exercising the ponies, Cameron said they arrive at the fields sometime around 8 a.m., with one of their first duties being to walk the 10 ponies. She laughed as she visualized her small figure walking between five ponies, while Berry walked the remaining five.
“We usually go around for about 25 minutes,” Cameron said.
Then, there’s a lunch break, followed by taking care of each horse’s specific needs. Berry explained that some horses need medication, while others have more specific needs.
“But, it’s all a group effort,” she said. The grooms get the help of the farrier (one who shoes and treats horses), Alan Duarte, and there’s the veterinarian, Dr. Scott Sims, who himself was winding down following a practice session on the field where he plays with the club.
Additionally, Cameron’s dad Peter Cameron comes in to help with the horses, and Kelsey Longley helps with mowing the fields.
“It’s definitely a group effort,” Berry said.
Becky Cameron, who is hopeful to play in some of the games during the upcoming season, notes that polo will probably never become a high school sport, if for no other reason than she and her sister are probably the only two students who ride.
Her sister, Ashley Cameron, is only 13, and Becky Cameron explained, will be in charge of the logo shop when the season opens this Sunday.
“She’s into volleyball now, and doesn’t ride that much.”
Ron Bonaguidi, the president of the Kauai Polo Club, noted that in addition to the men’s game, the season will also showcase some of the women riders from the island and around the state, as there are some women’s contests scheduled along with some coed games.
Gates to the ‘Anini field open at 1:30 p.m. for the season opener this Sunday, with the first game scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children aged between 12 and 17 years old, with children under 12 admitted free.
For more information, people may visit the Kauai Polo Club Web site at http://www.kauaipoloclub.org.
- Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
