Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1914 — CAPTAIN RITSON WON'T PLAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CAPTAIN RITSON WON'T PLAY

Leader of Last Season’s British Polo Four Will Not Be in Line-up for Games This Year. Capt. R. G. Ritson, who was leader of the English polo team last year in its attempt to lift the international cup, will probably be an absentee in next year’s matches, for which England has recently challenged. Captain Ritson’s place on the chailenging team will be hard to fill, as he showed himself to be a most capable all-around horseman and hitter in the games last summer. A serious indisposition will prevent him from taking part in any international matches, according to reports received here by followers of the game. In order to get an early start for the conditioning of both ponies and men, Lord Ashby St. Ledgers will go to

Madrid, accompanied by Maj. F. W. Barrett, Fifteenth Hussars; Capt H. A Tompkinson, First Royal Dragoons, and W. Balding. Spain has been chosen by the financial sponsor for the team as the base of operations for the preliminary practice, in order to avoid stoppages occasioned by bad weather, such as those experienced last spring by the English team at Eaton. —King Alfonso, who Is agreat polo enthusiast, has sanctioned the use by the English players of the royal polo grounds at Casa de Campo, Madrid, and at La Granja, while the Madrid Polo club grounds will also be available.

Capt. R. G. Ritson.