Harry Payne Whitney

A member of the Polo Hall of Fame, Harry Payne Whitney was the architect of the polo team of Lawrence Waterbury, Monte Waterbury and Devereux Milburn, who came to be known as the “Big Four”. The Big Four represented the United States in Westchester Cup action in 1909, 1911 and 1913 without losing a game.

Planning years in advance for the 1909 Westchester Cup challenge, Whitney began purchasing the top polo pony prospects in both the United States and Europe, amassing the most impressive string of polo mounts ever assembled.

Their convincing victory in the 1909 series (9-5 and 8-2) returned the Westchester Cup to America in almost a quarter of a century.

The revolutionary style of play dictated by Whitney had the previously defense-minded back taking part in the attack. Whitney transformed the No. 1 position from that of a mere blocker to an aggressive offensive weapon, counted on to carry the ball forward and to score.

Whitney attained the ultimate 10-goal handicap for his play but will always be credited for transforming polo into the fast-paced, fluid game it is today.

Referred to by his British counterparts as the “most brilliant and quickest mind in the game”, he retired from high-goal in 1917.