Polo ponies: Through the lens of 60 Minutes

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Overtime Original

"It was clear from the beginning that this wasn't going to be an ordinary shoot," Lara Logan said. She and her team were just finishing up the final edit of this week's 60 Minutes story on polo, when we managed to sneak her into the Overtime studio to ask her about the magnificent footage of polo ponies in her piece. Where were the cameras positioned? How did they manage to get those gorgeous slow-motion shots, we wondered.

"Filming polo is a challenge," she told us, "not because the players and the horses aren't spectacular, but because it happens over this vast area, big enough to fit nine football fields." In this Overtime feature, you'll hear how Logan's team of producers and cameramen struggled to capture the grace and power of the polo ponies, the players, and the magnificent action on the field.

If you've been to a polo match or played polo yourself, tell us what you think. Did we capture the feeling you get when you're right next to the action?

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by johnnyscaff August 29, 2012 8:05 AM EDT: Sickening to watch Mr. Peter Brandt be held on a pedestal for spending everyone else's money on horses. Mr. Brandt recently filed bankruptcy on one of his many companies (SP Newsprint) leaving many of us to scramble to make payroll and meet our financial responsibilities. Ask Mr. Brandt to pony up the millions he screwed his vendors out of so they can feed their families before he buys more horse feed!

Mr. Brandt is what is wrong in America. Please refrain from patronizing such useless Americans.; Reply to this comment


by WhiteWealthnotGuilty August 27, 2012 5:56 PM EDT: I take offense that reporters make Whites out to be bad. I am unapologetic for being white and wealthy. Since when is Polo a wealthy white sport? What nationality were most ppl interviewed. Get over the race crap. Enough is enough!; Reply to this comment


by emmykay August 26, 2012 7:55 PM EDT: I've seen a number of Logan's reports, and while she seems to always pick topics that take her to a great setting, among powerbrokers, and she breathlessly asks them questions that infer just how much money they must have, I never like her reports. This was a sleeper. And it was only because of the VA breeder that the horses really took center stage, although of course, the animals are such a big part of the sport.

feh.; Reply to this comment


by wifeandmom1st April 14, 2012 4:45 PM EDT: whatever heartfelt optimism or pessimism you bring to this story, it's your own wings or baggage! but whatever that is, you cannot deny that this story demonstrates what human"kind" can do when they come together FROM DIFFERENT backgrounds. for good, for bad, for PROFIT, or for not, this story shows you there is no limit!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by christianmoon April 10, 2012 12:02 PM EDT: I am a polo player and have been for a couple of decades or more. I think you could use a cameraman on a horse holding a steady cam and filming the players as they play. He would be able to move in and out of plays and if he was a player himself he could get some excellent shots. Call me I'd be happy to film from one of my horses. I guess you are thinking well I would not trust a horse and it's rider with my expensive camera. I mean besides wouldn't it be scared? Not one of mine. I have swung a chain saw off a couple of my polo ponies and have video proof that it can be done.....just saying.; Reply to this comment


by PitchBlackPolo April 10, 2012 11:15 AM EDT: This is really a well done piece. I am a player as well as a photographer and I am well known in the polo community for taking shots that really get you into the game. some of my work is at www.pitchblackpolo.com. thanks.; Reply to this comment


by flyaway25 April 9, 2012 9:14 PM EDT: I was so happy to see a segment on polo. It is hard to capture this amazing sport on camera. I liked the slow motion and the closeups on the field. I wish you could have had more of the footage included on the overtime segment on the actual main news show instead of emphasizing the glamour aspect. People tend to remember that part and gloss over the amazing athleticism of the ponies and riders. Good job bringing the excitement of the sport to life.; Reply to this comment


by ElaineUO April 9, 2012 9:52 AM EDT: As usual, Logan and her crew have the ability to make a topic I have *no* interest in interesting. So, kudos for that. Visually, the photography was fabulous. But I cannot help but feel you missed a BIG opportunity for a different Overtime Segment (Or, maybe even the segment itself) that would have, arguably, been more important: More info on the kids from and the creator of, the Work to Ride program. They didn't have enough time in this story. The story right now is a story about a sport for the 1% (understatement!), a cute, wildly-rich polo player who happens to be a model, and the photography. Um...I think you missed something and I'm left with the feeling that the story is *interesting* but not important (but it could have been, had the focus been on the kids and the program in Philly -- the arguably FUTURE of the sport in AMERICA, as it was introduced -- rather than on the cute rich model.) Still, I liked the story.; Reply to this comment

by AbdurRahmanX April 8, 2012 9:11 PM EDT

It must be because it's Easter...

I don't mind the rich white guys sport's story. I am a little upset that you would have the arrogance after showing how much money this sport takes and how it is a rich man's game, that with a straight face, you would say it is a way to save poor people. After the guy buys his 20 horses, he has a little money left over for one or two ghetto kids? And you present this fact as serious journalism? And of course you would be insulted if I said you were kowtowing to your uber-rich sponsors right? You would be insulted if anyone said you were doing a puff piece on the rich, even though this is EXACTLY a puff piece that's PR for the rich.....

Please do real news or let's start dropping the journalism label.

Reply to this comment


by ghpolo April 9, 2012 12:18 AM EDT: Take a look at the Work To Ride program that was mentioned on this show and you will realize just how many "ghetto kids" as you put it, this sport has not only helped but saved lives in many cases. I find your comments quite arrogant and narrow minded.

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