Argentine is New FIP Interim President
General Assembly Convened for April 19
Eduardo J Huergo of Argentina has been named Interim President of the Federation of International Polo (FIP), succeeding Thomas Biddle of the USA.
One week after Huergo took the helm of the global body on March 9, the Council of Administration convened a meeting of the FIP’s General Assembly for April 19 in Wellington, Florida, where Huergo will stand for election as President of the federation.
Huergo, 71, is a veteran member of the FIP’s Council of Administration, having served on that body for most years since 1987. He also served four terms as vice-president of the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP) between 1987 and 1997 and is currently a member of the AAP’s International Committee.
Born in Buenos Aires, Huergo took up polo at age 15 at Tortugas Country Club outside the Argentine capital and played until back problems forced his retirement several years ago. During his playing career he attained a handicap of five goals.
Shortly after obtaining a civil engineering degree, the Argentine got his first high-goal international experience, playing for Evelyn de Rothschild’s Centaurs, who reached the final of the 1964 British Open Championship (Gold Cup). Over the years he also played in Chile, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, France and the USA, in Florida and California.
At home in Argentina, Huergo played polo regularly as a weekend “aficionado” at Venado Tuerto, the Jockey Club, Puerta Abierta and Open Door. He competed one year in the Argentine Open Championship at a time when that tournament allowed teams of 18 goals to play.
After working in the automotive industry and as a partner in a finance company, Huergo turned to farming, his true vocation. He managed the family’s farm in Venado Tuerto where he raised polo ponies, besides a crop and dairy farm in the Rojas district. He is now retired. Huergo and his wife María have six children and eight grandchildren. A hobby: old cars.
Huergo’s appointment as Interim President and his expected election as President on April 19 is part of the FIP’s on-going reorganisation following the resignation of France’s Patrick Guerrand-Hermès last November. James Ashton of Australia was named Interim President, but was killed in a polo accident in February. American Tom Biddle, as senior vice-president, took over temporarily until Huergo was appointed by the Council of Administration in March.
The FIP currently has more than 50 national polo associations as its members. The three largest national bodies are the AAP, US Polo Association and Hurlingham Polo Association (UK and Ireland) representing more than half of polo players worldwide.