Introducing the Cadillac Award for USPC Polocrosse
Champs
by Victoria Prince, Chief Umpire for USPC Polocrosse Champs, Graduate
C-3,
Hunterdon Hills PC, NJ Region
Who is Cadillac? When I read the description for the Cadillac Memorial Award
in the USPC Polocrosse Championships program, I felt tears well up in my
eyes. I remember driving down to Lexington at 2 in the morning in 2004 to
catch the first Chukkah of play at USPC nationals and seeing the great horse
play her heart out all weekend. That year she accomplished a feat that no
horse had yet achieved at USPC Polocrosse Champs, and no horse has achieved
again… she locked out the competition. Over three days of intense play, no
one, not one player, got a goal past that great red mare, Cadillac and her
talented
rider, Andrew Diemer. 2008 Championships Scores 16 Cadillac spent her
younger years as a top level polo pony, but the years of pressure had their
toll and while still in her prime she was cast off as a burned out polo
pony. She found a loving home with the Diemer family in North Carolina, and
with much patience,
perseverance and hard work they discovered one of the best Polocrosse horses
the sport has been lucky enough to see. Cadillac was a chestnut, Argentinean
thoroughbred mare, and was a feisty, funky, athlete. Her rider, Andrew
Diemer, flew through the ranks of Polocrosse on his talented horse. In
2007, Andrew was chosen to represent the US on an under 16 tour versus the
New South Wales (Australia) under 16 team, and together he and Cadillac
played Polocrosse on the mall in Washington DC over the 4th of July weekend.
The pair was a powerful combination, helping their team give the Australians
a tough time on the field. Tragically, after performing so valiantly on the
field, Cadillac was later kicked in a paddock. While the initial surgery to
repair the damage went well, the brave mare later succumb to complications
due to surgery. In Cadillac’s memory, the Diemers have sponsored the
traditional ‘Best Horse Award’ for all USPC Polocrosse championships, by
donating beautiful leather halters with brass plaques to the best horse in
each division. 2008 was the inaugural year for the Cadillac award, and at
USPC Championships East the awards were given to two deserving horses in the
Novice and Intermediate horse division. The ‘Best Horse’ award is
classically given to the horse with the best moves, greatest fitness, and
best manners- the all around best horse.
This is an award for the
"Best Horse" in each division (Advanced, Int. Horse, and Int.
Pony) at Championships. The selection is made by the umpires.
