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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Polo Owner Wept as Horses Died in His Arms

Tests not likely to reveal cause of deaths for weeks

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(Newser) – Devastated polo team owner Victor Vargas cradled the heads of his fallen horses and sobbed as they died in his arms, colleagues said yesterday. The wealthy Venezuelan banker—whose business has thrived despite Hugo Chavez's socialist regime—rushed from animal to animal as 21 suddenly collapsed and died shortly before a Palm Beach polo tournament Sunday. It could be weeks before tests reveal the cause of their baffling deaths, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The tragedy has stunned Florida's close-knit polo community. "In polo's history there's never been an incident like this that anybody can remember," said the president of the polo club that hosted the US Open tournament. "This was a tragic issue on the magnitude of losing a basketball team in an airplane crash."

Flowers mark a makeshift memorial outside of Lechuza Caracas Inc. yesterday in Wellington Fla.
Flowers mark a makeshift memorial outside of Lechuza Caracas Inc. yesterday in Wellington Fla.   (AP Photo/Steve Mitchell)
Veterinarian Scott Swerdlin talks to reporters about having to respond to the International Polo Club when 21 horses from the Venezuelan-based Lechuza Caracas polo team died mysteriously.
Veterinarian Scott Swerdlin talks to reporters about having to respond to the International Polo Club when 21 horses from the Venezuelan-based Lechuza Caracas polo team died mysteriously.   (Getty Images)
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Aftermath of polo horse tragedy.   (gonadmoore)

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I've been in the sport for 50 years and never been around something as tragic as this.
- Peter Rizzo, executive director of the United States Polo Association

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10 comments
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ethical_person
Apr 21, 09 9:55 AM CDT
I can only imagine the anguish suffered by Mr. Vargas as his magnificent animals -- his friends -- died painfully right in front of him. Twenty-one gorgeous, intelligent animals, dying all around him -- how cruel can life be? Reply
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kati
Apr 21, 09 10:11 AM CDT
The polo people are just one more example of exploitation. Reply
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ethical_person
Apr 21, 09 10:46 AM CDT
Kati: What in the heck are you talking about? Is it that wealthy people play polo, so it's all bad? You don't have any money, so everyone who does is exploiting everyone who doesn't? You need to get over your anger and find something productive to do. In the meantime, do you feel any empathy for this man or for the waste of these beautiful animals? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
RobN
Apr 21, 09 11:17 AM CDT
Kati feels better if she can believe that rich people have no feelings. It makes the whole class warfare thing so much easier.
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IN RESPONSE:
SPH
Apr 21, 09 2:06 PM CDT
Rich people do exploit the poor...Do you deny this?.......
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