One dark day on an overcast afternoon at the polo grounds of Cowdray Lawns in Sussex a heated match was on between two 8 goal teams, who were playing for the much coveted St.Regis Cup 1977. Xavier Antonio de la Rosa Diaz was doing a fine job leading his team in the close match. Now, as the pace of the polo ponies increased, so too the danger, there were many close calls and many fouls for illegal hooking, crossing the line of play and three fouls for elbowing, but it was not until a few seconds into the 7th chukka when Phillip Herbert of the rival team was charging at a good clip towards the goal when, just as he was about to smash the little ball with his mallet, Xavier came charging dead on for Phillip trying to get on the other side of him quickly. However in the excitement and rush of blood Xavier grew to anxious and he committed the most flagrant foul of Dangerous Horsemanship when he cut behind Phillip's mount's hind legs, and in one brief, terrifying moment all gathered there drinking their Pimms and lemonade, on that muggy Saturday in July 1977, all watched in horror as the huge animal tripped and fell taking his rider with him, and Phillip went down disappearing for a moment under the thousand pound horse. Now, as every one who witnessed this tragic event tried to catch their breath, the polo pony righted itself but poor Phillip lay motionless on the grass.
The waiting medical team went into action as the umpire called for all the remaining seven riders to clear the field. Xavier sat shocked in his saddle all the blood draining away from his face as he rode off the field over to the viewing area; where his sisters and mother and father had been watching, having flown all the way to England from Argentina. Xavier saw the terrible look of devastation in his mother's eyes and when he dismounted and went to his mother, Aphina slapped him across the face saying "Pray to Our Dear Lord for that boy to get up unharmed!" his mother said flashes of anger filling her large dark eyes.
Xavier rubbed his cheek where he tried to numb the pain manifested by his mother's anger. His little sister Serena and his older sister Felina wrapped their arms around him tears rolling down their cheeks. Xavier held them tightly to his body while he looked out across the polo grounds where his opponent lie prostrate, not moving. Xavier was deeply worried, now he himself did not ever really have a relationship with God, but Xavier prayed to him that instant, all the same.
"Can you speak?" one of the older medics asked Phillip who, when able to catch his breath, opened up his big, blue, frightened eyes as he tried to move and when he realized what had happened he opened up his mouth and whispered "I can't feel my legs."
The waiting medical team went into action as the umpire called for all the remaining seven riders to clear the field. Xavier sat shocked in his saddle all the blood draining away from his face as he rode off the field over to the viewing area; where his sisters and mother and father had been watching, having flown all the way to England from Argentina. Xavier saw the terrible look of devastation in his mother's eyes and when he dismounted and went to his mother, Aphina slapped him across the face saying "Pray to Our Dear Lord for that boy to get up unharmed!" his mother said flashes of anger filling her large dark eyes.
Xavier rubbed his cheek where he tried to numb the pain manifested by his mother's anger. His little sister Serena and his older sister Felina wrapped their arms around him tears rolling down their cheeks. Xavier held them tightly to his body while he looked out across the polo grounds where his opponent lie prostrate, not moving. Xavier was deeply worried, now he himself did not ever really have a relationship with God, but Xavier prayed to him that instant, all the same.
"Can you speak?" one of the older medics asked Phillip who, when able to catch his breath, opened up his big, blue, frightened eyes as he tried to move and when he realized what had happened he opened up his mouth and whispered "I can't feel my legs."
