Polo exhibit opens in Kentucky, USA
Imphal, the 16th November, 2012
The exhibit at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, USA :: Pix - Somi Roy
Dr. R. K. Nimai Singh,
Raj Bhavan,
Imphal, Manipur, India.
Bill Cooke,
International Museum of the Horse,
Lexington,
KY, USA.
Imphal, Manipur, India/Lexington, Kentucky, USA: November 16, 2012
On November 15, 2012 the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington unveils a new exhibit chronicling the contributions of the people and ponies of Manipur. This Southeastern Himalayan kingdom, now a state in North East India, introduced the sport of polo to the British in 1854.
His Excellency Shri Gurbachan Jagat, the Governor of Manipur, who made the generous gift on behalf of the people of the Manipur, said, "Over the last century and a half, the sport of polo has become synonymous with British horsemanship. However, the story of how the British learned of the game, and of the people and ponies that first introduced it to them has remained shrouded in history."
The exhibit features a traditional Manipuri polo saddle, braided bridle, braided leather whip, a full set of traditional polo player's attire, two traditional polo mallets, a ball made of bamboo root, and a set of traditional equestrian darts. They were designed and constructed by Meisnam Khelen of Imphal, former captain of the Manipur Polo team.
It also offers a comparison with modern American polo gear provided by the U.S. Polo Association. "We are very interested in the fascinating antecedents of our game and are pleased to have been a part of this new exhibit," said Ed Armstrong, Director of Tournaments at the USPA.
The Manipuri Pony is still used for polo in Manipur. The traditional game is played with seven players per side, and many villages have polo fields. Unfortunately, the Manipuri pony is now an endangered breed with an estimated population of fewer than 500. The Governor's gift and the creation of the exhibit represent new international and local efforts in Manipur to protect the ponies that bear their name.
Museum Director, Bill Cooke stated: "We are extremely grateful to the Governor and people of Manipur not only for their significant donation of ethnographic material related to the Manipuri Pony, but also for allowing us to do our small part to raise awareness of these historically significant animals and the current threat of their extinction.
The museum is also grateful to Dr. R. K. Nimai Singh, Secretary to the Governor and Commissioner of Arts & Culture, and L. Somi Roy, a film and media arts curator in New York for arranging the gifts."
The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man's relationship with the horse. The park is an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet. It is located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington.
Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.
* This info was sent by L. Somi Roy , a film and media arts curator in New York
This Press Release was posted on November 16, 2012 and updated on Nov 17 with a new picture.
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