WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

TEXAS, A BROWN GELDING

Texas-For-WebFounder, Gary Fellers, played polo for almost 40 years. During that time he had owned many horses, some good, a few great, others not so good. As with any player they say you can count the great ones on one hand. He would concur that was his experience. One on the greats for him was Texas, shown in the picture above. Texas was a brown gelding from Texas. We know little else about his background. He was purchased from Vicki Armour.

Texas was a character. In the spring Gary nearly always got bucked off at least once, sometimes two or three times in the first week of conditioning. It was kind of a spring ritual. It was a bonding experience and was like Texas was telling Gary that this is what he could do if he wanted but he chose to do otherwise.

After this first week and from that point on, every day, every game, every minute of every chucker, Texas was perfect. If you thought he went. Never a moment’s hesitation, never a question of intention. He was a great horse, a great friend and a great partner. He was an alter ego. On Texas you could all the sudden run 40 miles an hour and weighted a 1000 pounds. Communication was by telepathy. You though, he went. On Texas one was able to experience the ultimate in equestrian/human bond and communication and the ultimate experience in polo, where the horse and the rider become one.

Back in 1993 Gary was discussing what the logo for Polo Gear should be and Jeanette opined that it should of course be Texas. She then produced the photo below which was taken at the 26 goal season in Saratoga. Gary was playing back and the play was heading toward the goal from the right side of the field. Instead of backing the ball into the traffic, he chose to neck it to the opposite side of the field and move to offence. This is not often the chosen move for a 3-goal player, with a 9-goaler and an 8-goaler behind you. Texas instilled this confidence. This just happened to be toward the press and celebrity tent.

As was typical of Texas he timed the shot so he had his total power in it with all four feet off the ground. The ball sailed 120 yards directly at the AP photographer who just happened to snap the shop at the exact moment Gary hit the ball. AP picked it up and the photo made the rounds in the newspapers and now makes the rounds on all Polo Gear merchandise.

A SALUTE TO TEXAS

PoloGear Circle LogoTo us at Polo Gear, the logo is a salute to Texas and all the great horses who have played the game. Texas was retired to Boone Hall plantation where he greeted guests in his gentlemanly manner with but still with a sparkle of mischief in his eye. He will remain in our hearts, and on our products forever.