MEANT FOR MORE

Charlie Walker grew up playing polo in Santa Barbara

surrounded by friends and family. A talented athlete and a beloved team player, Charlie graduated from Interscholastic polo to become captain of his Intercollegiate team at Colorado State University. But in June of 2020, at the age of 21, Charlie was diagnosed with a very serious stage of Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s.

With the unwavering support of his parents, extended family, and the tight-knit polo community, Charlie prevailed. “Through the struggles, I kept a positive outlook knowing that I was meant for more.” Charlie stayed connected to polo throughout his cancer journey, helping to manage operations of his CSU team. His leadership and commitment to the team earned him the Polo Training Foundation Intercollegiate Player of the Year Award in 2021, an honor that inspired his determination to get back in the saddle.

Charlie started riding again this past January with a new outlook on life, unwavering faith, and enduring family support. He shared a few thoughts with Santa Barbara Polo Magazine, as did some of his closest friends and family. Q: Who has had the most impact on your game and involvement in polo? Charlie: I am lucky that my dad Henry got me started when I was very young, about 5 years old. As I grew up, lots of people helped me improve – like Megan Judge, Jason Crowder, and Santi Wulff to name a few. Patrick Uretz helped me with my defensive skills, I learned to stare down and really impact my opponents thanks to him. It takes a village to become a good player, I think I have learned a little bit from everyone in polo.

Q: What is your fondest polo memory? Charlie: I went to the Interscholastic regionals with the Central Coast / Santa Barbara team of myself, Cory Williams, and Jake and Luke Klentner. We spent a lot of time as a team – traveling, living, and training – and we got to know each other very well. We had a wonderful time playing together and made lots of memories.

“When a member of the family gets cancer, the whole family has cancer, and we all go on the journey together. The support of friends and family during this journey was

enormous to our stamina and faith.” —Henry Walker

“Charlie is authentically himself; you can’t help but want to spend time with him and support him. His unwavering strength, genuine heart, and wonderful sense of humor has brought him through this journey. He has shared these qualities with us in polo

and in his relationships with others.” —Cory Williams

“Charlie been an inspiration for a lot of people, not just in polo, but everyone who knows of his journey. He has always been a very determined person on and off the field, and I think his determination continued to give us all hope that he would find a way to overcome such a difficult challenge. I can't wait to see him at the club this

summer and share the field with him again soon.” —Patrick Uretz

Q: What role did polo play during your cancer journey and now your recovery? Charlie: First of all, everyone is so kind. A friend is someone who is there when you need them. I have so many great friends in polo. Some are close by, and some are abroad, and even though I might not see them I know that they are there. My polo friends near and far show up for me with so much support. As much as I was able to, I stayed involved with my CSU team – making schedules, arranging horses, and helping organize the program. It was the only way I could stay connected to the sport I love.

Q: What does the Santa Barbara Polo Club mean to you? Charlie: The people at this club make it a very special place. It is a small, close community. I believe our friendships are stronger than at other clubs because we engage with each other every day – in the barn, at the track, and on the field. You have to be diplomatic, because your friends are sometimes your teammates, and sometimes they are your opponents.

Q: Who are Charlie’s Angels? Charlie: There are too many of them to count. My mother, my father, my sister, my extended family, my caretaker Alma, Jess, my friends, and all of the amazing staff and experts at City of Hope Medical Center.

Discovering Polo

Santa Barbara Polo Pony Club recently hosted a Discover Polo Clinic in the Polo Arena. The event welcomed 16 youth to the club to learn all about the sport and try their hand at the game.

Participants learned to swing with foot mallets, practice in the hitting cage, then after braiding their tails, they headed into the Arena to gain polo riding skills and learn more about the game. Several of the youth are keen to continue in the sport and will be training this spring with Claudia Uretz, on ponies provided by by Jef and Katie Graham (former Barrossa Team ponies).

Pony Club District Commissioner Katie Graham invites all young horse enthusiasts to come out and enjoy Pony Club, where horsemanship, sportsmanship, and lifelong friendships are born. “My passion for Pony Club began 25 years ago with my own children. My daughter and I have made so many friends though Pony Club around the country, and even the world! It has been an amazing journey. I am happy to continue that journey here in Santa Barbara.” —Katie Graham

LUKE EBBIN