Cover
2018
Sarah Siegel-Magness with her husband, Gary, and son Cable.
InterAsia
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The Premiere Estates of Montecito & Santa Barbara
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Versace ©2018 South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza
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BARBARA
Our history begins
over 100 years ago, nestled in the Foothills of Santa Barbara. History abounds at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, with stories of horses and spectators arriving by rail for polo, considered to be the social event of the era. Soliders called the picturesque grounds their home during World War II when the Club was used as a temporary station and training facility. Following the war, polo once again thrived at the oceanside venue with luxury amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts, stabling for 350 horses, an arena and three turf ďŹ elds being added in the 80s. For the Centennial Celebration Prince William and his wife, Catherine, the Dutchess of Cambridge, enjoyed an afternoon of polo, attracting international media coverage.
InterAsia
For over three decades, the Club has been a recognized brand on the global market, selling apparel and merchandise in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The brand illustrates the modern iconic polo lifestyle and the club’s storied history ďŹ lled with top international polo players, titans of business and globetrotting celebrities. From sunglasses and designer watches to logo apparel, the club shares a slice of Polo in Paradise with the world. Experience Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club www.sbpolo.com.
InterAsia
14
CONTENTS
18…Letter from the President 20…Contributors…Meet the people who make it happen 25…Polo Club…Polo 411, Friday afternoon happy hour, Sunday parties post-game, Folded Hills wine, what to wear to a match, and more
Polo People
41… …Farmers & Merchants Bank wins the Pacific Coast Open, up-and-coming ones to watch, and polo pony Disney 48…The Provocateur…Polo patron and movie producer Sarah Siegel-Magness. W R I T T E N BY K AT H E R I N E S T E WA R T. P H OTO G R A P H E D BY TA SYA VA N R E E
58…Rustic Romance…Daniel and Elena De Meyer’s love of polo in and outside of their home. WRITTEN BY JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEGAN SOREL
66…The Grande Dame…Celebrating the life and legacy of Elizabeth Skene. W R I T T E N BY J OA N TA P P E R
71…Polo Scene…Movers, shakers, spectators, and 2017 tournament winners 82…Tournament Schedule…The 2018 season ahead
Behind the Scenes
Left to right: KEN PAVÉS adjusts the mane; family
time on the practice field; Sarah rides Winter; TASYA VAN REE checks the natural light in the barns.
FIELD, CAMERA, ACTION!
WHO Photographer Tasya van Ree snaps good friend and polo patron Sarah SiegelMagness on a sunny February day at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. WHAT
Cover story and feature “The Provocateur” (page 48).
Siegel-Magness called in her talented friends and industry vets hair stylist Ken Pavés, clothing designer/stylist Daniella Clarke, and makeup artist Caroline Hernandez to mastermind her fantasy take on polo patron power and prowess.
MV PS
LOOK FOR Siegel-Magness’s 8-goal Cancha de Estrellas team on the pro-pool scene, including pro players Joe Henderson and Mariano Fassetta; husband, Gary; and junior star son, Cable.
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
From award winning polo to award winning wines, Andy and Kim Busch return to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.
Folded Hills
WINE@FOLDEDHILLS.COM
•
FOLDEDHILLS.COM
•
@FOLDEDHILLS
CHAIRMAN 1999-2003
Robert N. Smith Magazine
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
President John Muse Vice President Rhys Williams Treasurer Cindy Sapienza Secretary David Sigman Daniel Walker, Leigh Brecheen, Dawn Jones
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jennifer Hale
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Gina Tolleson
MANAGING EDITOR
Gina Z. Terlinden
TRUSTEES
Tom Barrack, Glen Holden Jr., Charles Lande, Pat Nesbitt, Geoff Palmer, Pat Ringer, Wesley Ru, Michael Sheller, Daniel Walker, Henry Walker
James Timmins
A RT P R O D U C T I O N M A N A G E R
Charlotte Bryant
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
A F F I L I AT E S
Charles Ward, Idea Works, Inc. Managing Partner Jennifer Zacharias, JZPR S TA F F
C R E AT I V E C O N S U LTA N T
Haley Carrere Jennifer Blaise Kramer Katherine Stewart Joan Tapper
Masthead
General Manager David Sigman Director of Operations Kerri Ramgren Assistant Director of Operations Jennifer Corcoran Polo Manager Melanja Jones Field and Facility Manager Sergio Jaramillo Polo Clubhouse Manager Natalie Jordan Assistant Clubhouse Manager Parker Bell Tennis Director Bart Hillock Tennis Clubhouse Manager Joanie Bear-Otero Head Tennis Pro Lance Kronberg Tennis Pro Stephanie Baker Stone Assistant Tennis Pro Ishanka Mohottige Controller Debby Bernal Polo Academy Director Jeff Scheraga TRUSTEES OF DISTINCTION
Ambassador Glen Holden, Dr. Norman Ringer, Kenneth Walker
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Megan Sorel Tasya van Ree
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Nicholas Hale
A D V E RT I S I N G D I R E C TO R
Sarah McCormick
A D V E R T I S I N G & M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I N AT O R
Ashley Nelsen
A D V E RT I S I N G P R O D U C T I O N M A N A G E R
Amy Lipson CONTROLLER
Adele Hagar
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
David Lominska Shannon Jayne Miller
www.sbpolo.com • 805-684-6683
INTERN
Isabel Bassi www.sbmag.com •
805-965-5999
MONTECITO R ANCH ESTATES
PANOR AMIC OCEAN AND MOUNTAIN VISTAS
Engel & Volkers
2720 Montecito Ranch Pl. | Summerland, CA | $7,750,000 5 Beds | 6 Full-Baths & 2 Half-Baths | 5,854 Sq.Ft. | 5 Acres Motor Court with 4-Car Garage: Attached 519 Sq.Ft. | 2 Detached, 536 Sq.Ft. Thoughtfully designed this single story custom residence reveals the highest quality in construction and state of the art amenities with elegant finishes, to include but not limited to, an authentic Spanish tile roof, concrete/gunite pool and spa, full guest house/cabana, manicured landscaping and vast lawns, security system and custom iron gated entry providing the utmost privacy as this home is also located in the all-important non-evacuation zone.
TRACY SIMERLY
Branch Broker - Santa Barbara w: TracySimerly.evusa.com e: Tracy.Simerly@engelvoelkers.com p: +1 (805) 550-8669 | calBRE 01256722
TRACY SIMERLY
©2018 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act. DRE 02047392
18
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome to the 2018 Polo Season The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club had a very successful polo season in 2017. We hosted highly competitive polo tournaments at the 8-, 12-, and 16-goal levels, and the finals of the Pacific Coast Open—which Farmers & Merchants Bank won in double overtime—was perhaps the most exciting final in the history of the club. We also hosted the USPA National Intercollegiate Championships and the National Youth Tournament finals. We started a Polo Academy, headed by Jeff Scheraga, to build an entry-level polo program and saw tremendous growth in new players learning our sport. Against every metric—lessons given, participation in pro pool, and coaching leagues and spectator attendance— we achieved significant growth. For all of our constituents—members, players, and polo fans—our goal for 2018 is to provide the highest level of customer service and engagement. Please join us for polo in paradise this year. The club’s board of directors and management look forward to making SBPRC a welcoming destination for exciting first-class polo.
From the President
Come join us, JOHN M USE President, SBPRC Board of Directors
2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RHYS WILLIAMS Vice President
CINDY SAPIENZA Treasurer
DANIEL WALKER
LEIGH BRECHEEN
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
DAWN JONES
DAVID SIGMAN General Manager
Farmers & Merchants Bank Congratulates our Winning Team
Nicholas Escobar
Felipe Vercellino
Lucas Criado
Danny Walker
Farmers and Merchants
2017 USPA Paciic Coast Open Champion • 2017 USPA America Cup Champion Bank with California’s Strongest Member FDIC • FMB.com
20
CONTRIBUTORS
Megan Sorel
“It was such a pleasure meeting and photographing the De Meyers and their sweet daughter, Olivia,” says the Santa Barbara-based photographer who got a peek into the lives of this poloplaying family for “Rustic Romance” (page 58). “The warm vignettes of saddles and boots set the tone for the story about a family who practices and plays together. It was wonderful to experience their love of the sport.”
Tasya van Ree
Jennifer Blaise Kramer
“This casual California-meets-Europe home was so relaxed and elegant, truly celebrating the best of the indoor/outdoor lifestyle,” says the writer who met with Daniel and Elena De Meyer for “Rustic Romance” (page 58). “Their grounds were so transporting—I could spend days in their lemon garden alone!”
Contributors
Joan Tapper
“I was honored to write the memorial tribute to Elizabeth Skene,” says the locally based writer who penned “The Grande Dame” (page 66). “I interviewed her at her house for a story related to the polo club a few years ago, and she was lovely and oh, so gracious. She truly was a great lady.”
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
Katherine Stewart
“I enjoyed learning from Sarah SiegelMagness about polo’s female pioneers such as Sunny Hale, the first woman to win the U.S. Open, and whose mother, Sue Sally Hale, broke polo’s gender barrier in 1972 after two decades of playing matches disguised as a man,” says this part-time Montecito-based writer who interviewed the female polo patron for “The Provocateur” (page 48).
PHOTOGRAPH: JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER, JETHRO ACOSTA
“Being able to create imagery that captured the love between woman and nature—and finding the underlying understanding between the two worlds—was such a beautiful process,” says the Los Angeles photographer who captured Sarah Siegel-Magness for “The Provocateur” (page 48). “The connection—so deep and magnetic.”
California’s Strongest. Now in Santa Barbara.
Farmers and Merchants
Visit our newest offce in Downtown Santa Barbara at 33 East Carrillo Street, at Anacapa Street.
Member FDIC • FMB.com
Patioworld
Patioworld
On behalf of the
Antelope Polo Team
Antelope Club
Geo & Grant Palmer congratulate the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club on its 2018 Polo Season.
POLOClub Field of Dreams What’s happening around the club, how to watch a match, this season’s sartorial picks, and more
Polo Club
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
26
POLO CLUB
JOIN the CLUB The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club sits on 87 picturesque acres nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Offering a variety of MEMBERSHIPS , the club features three polo fields, one stick and ball field, stables, an arena and track, plus a historic polo clubhouse as well as tennis, swim, and fitness facilities. Tennis members enjoy unrivaled amenities in one of the most beautiful resort-style locations in the county. There are eight championship-level tennis courts—including six lighted courts for night play. Tennis members also enjoy mixers and club championships; free admission to polo matches; invitations to club parties and social events; the opportunity for private and group lessons and clinics; polo and tennis clubhouse privileges; and access to the pool, Jacuzzi, and fitness center. Those interested solely in our pool or fitness center have the option of the swim and fitness membership, which offers access to the heated pool and jetted spa, a dual indoor/outdoor fitness center, and locker rooms. Swim and fitness members also receive all of the social member benefits of polo. From May through October, the club buzzes with glamorous action as the best polo players in the world descend upon the American Riviera to compete in the sport of kings. Social members get to enjoy it all, including free admission to Sunday polo matches at the Engel & Völkers/Ranch Marketing Associates Polo Stadium, a member-exclusive cuisine menu, complimentary valet, discounts at the boutique, special pricing on select beverages, club-wide social events, and more. For more information, e-mail events@sbpolo.com.
Top to bottom: One of the many TENNIS
COURTS at SBPRC; the heated POOL .
Polo Club Get the Look
Open on Sundays during the season and for special events, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club’s new LUXURY BOUTIQUE is curated to provide the perfect attire for cheering matches, stomping divots, and toasting with bubbly. Polo matches in Santa Barbara are casually elegant affairs that embrace an authentic equestrian lifestyle. Whether donning jeans or dressing up, spectators can stay up-to-date with essential polo attire—luxury-brand sunglasses, handbags, newly designed Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club logo items, and apparel for both men and women.
It’s That Time
Club members can enjoy discounts on boutique merchandise.
Raise a glass to the return of FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. Get the weekend started while watching a riveting polo match from 4 to 6 pm, May 4 through October 12. During our Friday Happy Hour polo matches (free and open to the public), guests can kick back field-side, indulge in our full bar that features weekly specials, and nosh on a selection of small bites for purchase by chefs Molly Quigley and Katie Stowell of QS Catering while watching your team kick off a successful weekend of tournament play. S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
27
POLO CLUB
POLO with a Different View
Experience Sunday polo field-side amid the action by TAILGATING — one of the more traditional ways to watch polo. Tailgating at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club can be as simple as sitting on the back of a pickup truck on the field opposite the clubhouse or enjoying a more elaborately catered picnic lunch. Bring the entire family and experience feeling the ground rumble as the horses bolt down the field. For more information, e-mail tickets@sbpolo.com or call 805-576-7292.
Natalia Bonifacci and Sebastian Tkacik photographed by Michael Haber for POLO 2015.
Patrón Tequila Af t e r-Part y Polo Club
We are pleased to continue the SUNDAY AFTERPARTY this season following our 3 pm polo matches. These events take place on the main clubhouse terrace as well as on the field, where guests can enjoy dancing and live entertainment by renowned DJ Fab. The no-host bar features signature cocktails, wine, and beer. Introduced last summer, this fun afterparty has become a tradition, with fans, patrons, and players making Sunday polo the event to talk about all week long.
An Experience for All
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is home to the POLO ACADEMY , a multilevel school designed to teach entry-level private or group lessons, introductory clinics, coaching chukkers, and tournaments to polo enthusiasts looking to learn more about the game. Left to right: The UCSB POLO United States Polo Association (USPA) TEAM ; director JEFF SCHERAGA . certified instructor and Polo Academy director Jeff Scheraga offers lessons for all levels beginning at age 6. Last year, the club also welcomed the women’s UCSB POLO TEAM . The UCSB polo team is open to all UCSB students who are interested in playing regardless of their equestrian experience. Tryouts are in September and scholarships are also available. For more information, e-mail jeff@sbpolo.com or call 315-256-5797.
28
POLO CLUB
POLO 411
Welcome to the insider’s guide to polo in beautiful Santa Barbara. It is fast, riveting, elegant, and utterly entertaining, but it can also be confusing to be field-side and not understand the game. Here’s the breakdown. The object of the game is to move the polo ball downfield, hitting the ball through the goal posts for a score. There are two teams of four players each and two referees, all on horseback. The teams switch directions after each goal is scored so that neither team has a wind, sun, or field advantage. After each goal is scored, the teams come back to the center of the field for a “bowl in,” similar to a face-off in hockey. The polo field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide (approximately the size of nine football fields), making it the largest field in organized sports.
Chukkers
A polo match lasts about two hours and is divided into six periods, called chukkers. Each chukker runs seven and a half minutes long. A bell or horn is sounded at the seven-minute mark to let the players know 30 seconds remain. If the ball goes out of bounds or is scored during that time, the chukker ends. The team with the most goals at the end of the six chukkers is the winner.
Divot Stomp
During half time, spectators are invited to go onto the field and participate in the traditional divot stomp to replace
clods of turf kicked up by the horses during play, helping to smooth the field for the next half. The divot stomp is often done with a glass of bubbly in hand.
Handicaps
Polo handicaps result from players ranked yearly by their peers. The United States Polo Association has a scale of -1 to 10 goals (10 being the best) that are then assigned as the player’s handicap. Team play is handicapped on the basis of ability and can change from tournament to tournament. If a tournament is a 16-goal tournament, the four players’ handicaps cannot exceed 20. Low-goal polo is considered 0 to 8 goals. Medium-goal polo is considered 8 to 16 goals. High-goal polo, or professional polo—that most exciting and rare of the sport—is 16 to 26 goals in the United States.
Polo Club
Player Positions
Each of the four players is given an area of responsibility designated by a jersey number. The forward is #1; the most defensive player is #4, or the back. (There is no goalie.) The middle players are #2 and #3. The #3 is usually the highest-rated player on the team and the de facto captain. This is the player who leads the offense and coordinates the defense.
Teams & Players
Each team is a mix of professional and amateur players. At the high-goal level of play—such as the teams competing in the Pacific Coast Open—there is typically one amateur player and three professionals. In medium and low-goal polo, the teams are a mix of amateur and professional players. These team are unique in a sense because the teammates can change depending on the makeup of the team and the handicap of the tournament being played.
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
Attire
In Santa Barbara, laid-back luxury reigns supreme. Match attire can vary among tournaments, with the high-goal season hosting dressier matches. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a classic sundress or khakis and a button-down shirt.
PHOTOGRAPHS: DAVID LOMINSKA
Basics
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30
POLO CLUB
Beyond the Ash Top to bottom: Firefighters
setting up to battle the THOMAS FIRE ; first
responders and their trucks: some of the animals that sheltered at the club.
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club was able to open its doors to furry, four-legged evacuees needing shelter when the flames of the THOMAS FIRE swept through Santa Barbara and Ventura counties last December and January. Through the dedicated service of the club’s staff, members, and volunteers, shelter was provided to 93 horses, 37 alpacas, nine mules, four bunnies, four goats, four miniature horses, and three cows. The Thomas Fire stands as California’s largest—and one of its most destructive—wildfires in modern history. It burned approximately 281,893 acres. The club hosted this animal menagerie until the flames reached the Carpinteria foothills; all evacuees were then relocated to the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. The club then served as a staging ground for emergency services and first responders. The club is grateful to have been able to assist with community response efforts in both of these capacities, and this was due to the unbelievable amount of support received during this time, including generous donations from Jacobsen’s Hay and Feed, Napa Valley Equine, Santa Ynez Feed & Milling Co., Los Rancheros Pobres, and the equestrian community as a whole. The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all first responders working to protect our beloved home. We express our deepest condolences for the recent and ongoing challenges, and we strongly believe that our community is resilient and will recover.
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
PHOTOGRAPHS: MIDDLE, THE FOOD LIAISON
Polo Club
Ramsey Asphalt
FIELD REPORT Hermès
32
POLO CLUB
SURF ‘N’ TURF Beachy-cool nudes mixed with watery sea-foam greens are cabana-worthy for Sundays at the polo club
Clockwise from top middle: Chanel
sunglasses, $390, Occhiali
Polo Club
Fine Eyewear; top, $325, and trousers, $325, Heidi Merrick; tourmaline and diamond earrings, $6,300, Sheryl Lowe; silk scarf, $195, Stick & Ball Co.
Far left to right: Dress,
$375, Verandah; slides, $315, Ancient Greek Sandals; snakeskin belt, $565, Maison Vaincourt; Nick Fouquet hat, $1,225, and Cult Gaia tote, $248, Isla at Hotel Californian.
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
Catherine Gee
catherinegee
TM
34
POLO CLUB
A Perfect PAIRING
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club welcomes FOLDED HILLS WINERY to the club this year. Owners Andy and Kim
Busch’s long legacy with the sport of polo and their exquisite winery make this a fitting pairing. “At Folded Hills, we love to share the wonderful ranch lifestyle with families, polo teams, and our new wine friends,” says Andy. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Andy helped run his family’s ancestral home, Grant’s Farm, by caring for the land and the hundreds of animals that lived on it. It wasn’t until 1998 when he served as captain for the USA Polo team at the World Cup that he and his wife, Kim, fell in love with the Santa Barbara lifestyle. They decided to raise their family on the California coast and have since found their place at Folded Hills Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley. They poured their love into their land, and in 2014, after walking their landscape and studying its soil and microclimate, they planted their first grapes: Grenache, Syrah, and a collection of Rhône whites. Folded Hills wine is a tribute to family. “This is a heritage project for us,” says Andy. “The wine has strong roots back to our St. Louis history. We love sharing these family stories that influence how many of our wines were named—the stories are on the back of each bottle.” Standout vintages that club guests get to enjoy this season include the highly anticipated 2017 Estate Lilly Rosé—an homage to Busch’s great-grandmother Lilly Anheuser Busch and six generations of women down to his granddaughter Lilly; Grant Grenache, which recalls President Ulysses S. Grant, previous owner of the ancestral home where Andy grew up; and August Red, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, named for Andy’s father and grandfather.
“Our goal was to make a great wine that’s easy to drink and pair with food—a wine made naturally in the French style so it would not overpower whatever dish you were serving,” says Kim. “Angela Osborne, our Kiwi winemaker, exemplifies that in her subtle style of viticulture. We were recently in New Zealand Top to bottom: KIM AND and hope that our ranch, ANDY BUSCH ; some of our wine, and our FOLDED HILLS ’ vintages. philosophy reflect that casual, joyful lifestyle. We don’t take ourselves too seriously—no wine snobs here, just absolute best practices with lots of heart and soul.” F O L D E DHI LLS.C OM
Polo Club
Libation Station
Look for BAR CAR to make appearances at the club for the Pacific Coast Open tournament in August as well as various Sunday polo events throughout the season. Enjoy the curated cocktail of the summer—Silver & Bronze—celebrating the silver of the tournament champions’ hardware and the bronze of our exclusive sponsor, Jefferson’s Bourbon. SILVER & BRONZE
2 oz. Jefferson’s Bourbon 1/2 oz. lime juice 5 oz. ginger beer Garnish of mint sprigs Add Jefferson's Bourbon and lime juice to a Moscow Mule copper mug. Fill the mug with ice and top with ginger beer. Add mint sprigs for garnish. Serves one.
By popular demand, the SANTA BARBARA POLO & WINE FESTIVAL returns to the club on September 8 from noon to 7 pm. The only event of its kind on the West Coast, this festival combines exhilarating polo matches, live music by national touring artists, sips from some of Santa Barbara County’s finest wineries, food, and a fabulous day on the fields. Last year’s festival featured Macy Gray, LP, Nick Waterhouse, Durand Jones & the Indications, and Vieux Farka Touré, and this year’s fest helps kick-off the 8-goal fall polo season at the club. Stay tuned for the highly anticipated musical lineup coming soon. S B PO L O A N D W I N E .C O M
PHOTOGRAPHS: KIM AND ANDY BUSCH, EDWARD CLYNE; FOLDED HILLS WINE, TRINE BELL; POLO & WINE FESTIVAL, ALEXANDER SIEGEL
S I P TI P
E S TAT E
G A R D E N
D E S I G N E R
S A N TA B A R B A R A , C A L I F O R N I A WA S H I N G T O N , D C
Lara Morabito
301.938.4186
laramorabitogardens
laramorabitogardens@gmail.com
36
POLO CLUB
Clockwise from top left: Agustin Obregon
and Jared Zenni; Tito’s Vodka caipiroskas; Jardesca’s Charlie, Roger, and Lisa Morrison; rustic details from Bon Fortune Style & Events; Daniel Gibbings, Paco de Narvaez, Blue Gabor, and Mark Sgarzi; Alexander Adler; Annette and Richard Caleel; Tommy and Brittany Fisher.
Polo Club
NOCHE DE FUEGO came to
life with SPARK CREATIVE EVENTS ’ specialized ambient
lighting on the polo fields.
Noche de FUEGO
On a warm summer evening, more than 300 guests gathered at the SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB for a celebration of the club’s Polo magazine in partnership with Santa Barbara Magazine and South Coast Plaza. The gaucho-chic crowd was welcomed into a stunning Patagonian luxe camp vibe created by Rrivre Davies of Rrivre Works and accented by rustic decorative details by Gina Andrews of Bon Fortune Style & Events. Guests lined up for chef Agustin Mallmann’s Argentine asado while sipping Margerum wines, Tito’s Vodka caipiroskas, Le Chapitre champagne, and tastings from Folded Hills and Jardesca. As the sunset gave way to stars and the ambient bonfires lit up the sky, DJ Fab kept the South American mood alive with Latin lounge tunes while guests danced into the night.
Polo Club
PHOTOGRAPHS: CHRISTY GUTZEIT
Clockwise from top left:
Kathy Freston and Jody Boyman; Gina Andrews; Chelsea Aiello, Lisa Waldinger, Alice Brophy, Sarahbinah Rautiola, and Belle Hahn Cohen; Rocio Gonzalez, Gina Tolleson, and Heidi Merrick; Rrivre Works wood pergolas; Maika Monroe and Joe Keery; DJ Fab with his son, Antoine Allain; Le Chapitre champagne chilled in a Milk & Honey Vintage iron tub; Agustin Mallmann; guests around the Rrivre Works fire pits; Marni and Doug Margerum of Margerum Wines.
COLDWELL BANKER HOPE RANCH BEACH RETREAT Bluff top estate on approx. 3 acres | $12,900,000 Ann Rasmussen | 805.705.3865 | CalRE#01818392
ENNISBROOK CONTEMPORARY ESTATE Stunning once acre 3BD/3.5BA | $5,250,000 Koutnik & Conger | 805.565.8811 | CalRE#00809916
BEACH FRONT PERFECTION
HOPE RANCH ESTATE WITH VIEWS
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MONTECITO VIEW RETREAT Ocean, city and mountain vistas | $2,995,000 Marvin & Koutnik | 805.450.4792 | CalRE#01276356
CHARMING DOWNTOWN TRI-PLEX Desirable De La Vina corridor location. | $2,195,000 McGuire & Westlotorn | 805.403.8816 | CalRE#01061042
Coldwell Banker Corporate STORYBOOK 1924 COTTAGE Single lvl charmer updated in 2014. | $1,750,000 Brad Merritt | 805.450.6522 | CalRE#01855401
LUX BEACH TOWN LIVING AT THE VILLAS Gracious 3BD/2.5BA for full or part -time. | $814,000 Jean Sedar | 805.637.7848 | CalRE#00954229
PENDING Hidden Gem in Santa Barbara! | $1,750,000 Rosa De La Mora | 805.696.3309 | CalRE#01378264
EL ESCORIAL VILLAS Terrific 1BD/1BA, 2nd floor condo. | $665,000 Oliver & Holloway | 805.895.6967 | CalRE#01462467
THE MESA AT ITS FINEST! Close to surf, sand and Shoreline Park. | $1,749,000 McGuire & Westlotorn | 805.403.8816 | CalRE#01061042
BEST PRICED CONDO AT THE POLO FIELDS 2BD/2BA 2nd floor corner unit. | $635,000 Teresa McWilliams | 805.895.7038 | CalRE#00285016
COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Montecito 805. 969.4755 | Montecito Upper Village 805.969.0900 Santa Barbara Residential & Commercial Divisions 805.682.2477 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalBRE# 00616212
Glen Holden Family Gloria Holden and Elizabeth Skene
The Polo Wife’s Oath I promise to attend every game in which my husband is playing. I will have his whites spotless on game day. My first priority will be Polo. The care of polo ponies must come before the needs of my family. I will be ready to drive a horse-filled trailer home if my husband is too tired or indisposed after celebrating his victory. I will always state that I was watching the game every minute, and that each and every shot made by my husband was amazing. I will act thrilled to attend the same event at the same place with the same people every Sunday afternoon, for the entire season, regardless of how I really feel. I will attend the Polo Ball with the same people that I see every Saturday and Sunday at the same place all season long. Although polo players enjoy riding their horses hard and putting them away wet, DO NOT, I repeat, allow this same tawdry behavior to happen to you. Finally, and most importantly, I will never wear trousers whiter than my husband’s polo whites.
Best Wishes for a Wonderful Season The Holden Family
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POLOPeople High Goals
Ones to watch, family traditions, and winners’ circles
PHOTOGRAPH: MICHAEL HABER
Polo People
Keep your eye out for LUKE KLENTNER of KLENTNER RANCH .
42
POLO PEOPLE
Flashback to the spring of 2014, when Apple unveiled the Apple Watch, people were dumping buckets of ice water on their heads in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and GRANT PALMER and LUKE KLENTNER were just learning to play polo in the early morning at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club Coaching League while their fathers played the 12-goal league in the afternoons on the main fields. Now, both young players are stepping up into the prime time of the 2018 12-goal season and are competing against the veteran players who used to coach them. Luke, 17, is playing on Klentner Ranch alongside his father, Justin, and Grant is representing his father Geoff’s Antelope organization on the Antelope Junior polo team. “I am really excited to be playing with my dad in the 12-goal season this year and grateful to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club for putting together the junior polo programs that enabled me to get this far in polo,” says Luke. Keep an eye out for Luke, who is a standout football and volleyball player at Bishop Garcia Diego High School in
PHOTOGRAPHS:
Ones to WATCH
his spare time, as he rockets around the field on his favorite mare, Sangria. Grant Palmer, 16, is leading a new team, Antelope Junior, onto the field for the 12-goal tournaments. Palmer, a student at Harvard Westlake, and his youthful teammates Felipe Vercellino, 23, Jim Wright, 22, and Herndon Radcliff, 27, represent the upcoming generation of polo players. The veteran player Santiago Trotz, who is competing against Palmer on another team in this league, mentored Grant. He is unfazed by riding into battle against his mentor, and says, “I’m excited to compete against Santi because I’ve known him my whole life and I know we’ll have fun playing each other.” Both young players put hours of practice and preparation into arriving at the “big leagues” in the 12-goal season. They bring energy and enthusiasm to the field and set the standard for the next generation of polo players at SBPRC. M E L A N J A J O N E S
Polo People
The 2017 Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open’s Best Playing Pony, DISNEY , is one of Jesse Bray’s most recognizable horses, but Bray almost missed out on owning her. A polo pro named Ashton Wolf trained her and showed her to 4-goal pro Joseph Stuart. While Wolf was showing her to Stuart, Disney caught the eye of SBPRC professional Jesse Bray. Bray really liked the look of Disney and asked Ashton to try her, but Stuart ended up buying her that day. Once Stuart owned Disney, Bray continually asked to try her until one day Stuart finally gave in and let Bray ride her. Bray sat on Disney and bought her right then and there.
Disney is a 12-year-old Canadian thoroughbred who previously raced. She played in Florida under Bray in the 20goal Joe Barry Cup and Ylvisaker Cup and has played for him for several years in Santa Barbara. “She has more heart than you can imagine,” says Bray. “She gives all she has on every play. I played her in the PCO final quite a few chukkers, and the next weekend she played pro pool with Hayley Heatley. There aren't many horses out there that can do that—she really is special.” In the epic double overtime 2017 Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open, Disney played in Bray’s pony rotation in portions of five chukkers and played those minutes with so much heart, speed, and class that she was selected as the Best Playing Pony of one of the most exciting finals in SBPRC history. Hayley Heatley (Bray’s girlfriend) has played Disney the past two years in the SBPRC Women’s Tournament and shares the same affection for the silver-colored mare. “Disney is the sweetest horse that understands she is in babysitter mode when I am on her. She is very steady, so if I miss on her, it's definitely my fault. She is so brave yet also very kind and never passes on a treat at the barn. I think what makes her so special is the confidence that she gives her rider. I think for both Jesse and me, she gives that little bit of extra confidence that makes a big difference on the field.” Both Bray and Heatley agree: “Disney is a special horse that will have a home with us forever.” M . J .
PHOTOGRAPHS: LUKE KLENTNER AND GRANT PALMER, DAVID LOMINSKA
B e s t Pl ayin g Pony
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44
From August 26, 2016 to August 2017, the memory of the USPA Pacific Coast Open semi-final match, FMB vs. Restoration Hardware—the game lost in the final seconds with no one to blame except ourselves—was seared into our memory. The 2016 PCO Finals would take place without FMB. We suffered throughout the all-night party featuring Brazilian dancers, music, paella, and drinks while the RH team celebrated victory and was rewarded again on August 29 when they won the 2016 USPA Pacific Coast Open. AUGUST 27, 2016 FMB patron Danny
Walker with teammate/professional Lucas Criado commenced planning for the July/ August 2017 tournaments, discussing the season’s successes as well as current and future handicaps of existing and prospective teammates. We were delighted with our 2016 season but greatly disappointed with our performance in the final game, as Walker committed the final foul that gave the winning goal to RH. Their discussion over “spilt milk” continued throughout monthly calls and visits in Florida, finally deciding the settlement of 2016 horses in the joint strings that would be held over for the 2017 season. JANUARY 1, 2017 The new year marked
the arrival of three new horses from Criado Farm in Argentina. My care of these horses, particularly their acclimation from the Southern to the Northern hemisphere, would be key to our success, along with the current 12 committed to the summer season. Horse preparation began December 1 with preplanned competitive polo and concluded March 31, 2017. Santiago was recovering from a one-year tendon repair from the 2015 season, with daily conditioning from
December through the end of March, but no competitive polo. As we entered the summer 12-goal season in May, Santiago was allowed to compete in preparation of July and August. Santiago ultimately played the last week of July in our winning finals of the USPA America’s Cup, readying him for August and the Pacific Coast Open. JULY 4, 2017 Fifty-four horses and the
“Dream Team” arrive.
JULY 9, 2017 Our season began with the plan to play 36-plus horses between four players, enjoying the game and staying safe. In the second chukker, a competitor committed a quick swing at the ball and caught Lucas Criado’s gray mare between the ears, a sensitive touch point for horses. Imagine as a rider, your horse is traveling 30 mph and suddenly disappears as momentum carries you over the horse with gravity your unlikely friend. Likewise, the crashing horse has momentum that causes its body to possibly land on top of you. The result of this unfortunate accident was an injured mare out for 30 days. However, the team champion, Criado, sustained only an injured right shoulder and would rejoin the team after a three-week recovery. Our prayers were answered, heralding the start of an amazing journey.
Polo People
JULY 30, 2017, USPA ROBERT SKENE TROPHY Change of plans. Typically, Criado
and team attempt to play in all finals, remaining competitive while capitalizing on our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Although he despises anyone riding his horses, recovering captain Criado elected Santiago Trotz (a familiar face) to accept his on-field position. Even though we were three goals short with Trotz on the field, the team was required to maintain a 16-goal handicap. Fortunately, Felipe Vercellino and I had extended team time with Trotz and were familiar with his strengths, which led to success. Our goal was simply to play the horses and attempt to be competitive with
higher-goal teams. We were all awaiting Criado’s recovery and hoping he would be ready to play. AUGUST 13, 2017, USPA AMERICA’S CUP With captain Criado back in the saddle,
the FMB team was hungry to compete. It was an interesting finals, with the Escobar family spanning three generations competing on both teams and a wife/mother cheering for all. FMB entered confident with a perfect win record. With five minutes remaining in the sixth chukker, FMB was down three goals. Vercellino and Criado said, “I thought we would win.” In polo, sometimes what goes around comes around. Criado scored the winning goal with only seconds remaining. We felt we were invincible. We were four healthy players, with 42 horses in peak condition, ready for the PCO to begin.
AUGUST 27, 2017 For the first time in 40 years, FMB realized 1) we earned a seat in the finals of the PCO with a perfect win record; 2) three of the four players earned a seat in the finals for the first time in their career; and 3) we felt encouraged, we were healthy, and our 40 horses were prepared. The finals against the Klentner team would be an incomparable match. During a break in the fourth chukker, Facundo Obregon asked me if I was having fun. “Fun? Yes, we would not want to be anywhere else except on this polo field playing this game.” With only three minutes remaining in the sixth chukker, each player on both teams would have one shot on goal to win the game. After eight shots on goal—one by each player—Criado found himself 45 degrees from the goal mouth within striking distance for the win. He patiently waited for his opening and shot the winning goal. FMB was in shock. We had won and survived a perfect month of polo, winning all of our games, amazing family members, fans, and grooms. When asked at the trophy presentation, “How long will FMB celebrate this victory?” I answered, “This dream team will celebrate until we get beaten in 2018.” We are still cherishing our memories of the incredible 2017 season. D A N N Y W A L K E R
PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION
Farmers & Merchants Bank wins the PACIFIC COAST OPEN
POLO PEOPLE
POLO TRAINING CENTER SANTA BARBARA
Polo Training Center Santa Barbara (PTCSB) is a charitable organization that encourages the growth of polo by operating and supporting programs for players of all levels. PTCSB will encourage the development of goodwill and sportsmanship as well as teaching the skills necessary to participate successfully in the game of polo..
Polo Academy
Polo Training Center Santa Barbara would like to thank our 2017 supporters. DIAMOND $20,000 OR HIGHER Gary Magness Family Foundation PLATINUM $10,000 OR HIGHER The Muse Family Foundation GOLD $5,000 OR HIGHER Farmers & Merchants Foundation, The Holden and Sheller Families SILVER $1,000 OR HIGHER The Muse Family, The Williams/Ruffing Family, The Bossom Family, Ken Mayer, The Klentner/Masters Family, Mike and Claudia Uretz, Amgen Foundation SUPPORTERS $50 OR HIGHER Jeep and Sharon Holden, The Payne Family, Paige Beard, Bill Gumma and Jessica Keneally, David Sigman, Brenden Stenzel, Jennifer Alter, Tally Barr, The Hall Family, The Obregon Family, Melanja Jones, Ed and Sarah Hurd, Megan Judge, Chuck and Lisa Stanislawski, Jared Zenni, Jeff and Naima Scheraga, Miles Eberhard, Lara Morabito and Ryan Sweeney, Jef and Katie Graham, Brian Rubin, Charles and Mary Stock, Daniel and Elena de Meyer, Jennifer Hansen, Jill and Michael Stern, Lesan Kwok, Oki Sakuyama, Lesa Slaughter, Susan Cooley, Melinda Binder, Chris Denson, Captain Shannon McGraw, Elena Volodina, Don Mathewson, Pamela Temple, Patricia Angelotti, Michael and Jill Owens, Suzanne MacPhail, Audree Herrera-Symonds, Stacey Bates, Custom Yacht Outfitters, LLC., Amy Gatlin, Monika Tutinas, Todd Schaefer, Peter Friedman
*Thank you Boston Polo Club for raising over $1,000 following the wildfires that swept through Southern California.
WWW.POLOTRAININGCENTER.COM
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The PROVOCATEUR Emerging polo patron and movie producer
Sarah SiegelSarah - Lifestyle Magness leads a passionate life on and off the field WRITTEN BY
KAT HERI NE STEWART TA SYA VAN REE
PHOTOGRAPHS BY
SARAH SIEGEL-MAGNESS —with
her horse WINTER —wears GUCCI with a DIOR hat and veil.
Sarah - Lifestyle
Sarah - Lifestyle
“I play games four times a week and practice two other days. I also take equitation and jumping to help me ride. This has been tremendously helpful in the game. My pro, Joe Henderson, always says the better you ride, the better you play,” says Siegel-Magness. GUCCI blouse, SAINT LAURENT blazer, MAISON MICHEL hat. Opposite, clockwise from top:
Vintage VALENTINO cape with AGENT PROVOCATEUR gold
mask; signature gear and mallets; Siegel-Magness with Shadow.
“We came to Santa Barbara initially to play polo but fell in love with the community.”
If you hit the polo fields around 8 am, you might see her streaking by on her polo pony, mallet raised. Or astride one of her thoroughbreds, upright in the saddle. Four days a week, Sarah Siegel-Magness plays matches, either at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club or on the 65-acre estate adjacent to the club that she and her husband purchased last year. The property features three polo fields and a jumping arena with a view of the ocean. On other days she’s training with her coaches, polo legends Joe Henderson and Memo Gracida.
Sarah - Lifestyle
“I am a woman in a sea of men, and I’m also quite petite,” Siegel-Magness says. “This is rather unusual but not a disadvantage at all. Polo is a game of the mind. Strength is important, but to power the ball, it’s all about technique.” On the field, she rides like one of the guys, and that’s how she expects to be treated. “I want to be as good as everyone else,” she says, “and play a well-rounded defensive and offensive competitive game.” Siegel-Magness certainly has a more varied résumé than most polo players. She is an Oscar-nominated film producer and director whose projects include the
Sarah - Lifestyle
Sarah - Lifestyle
“I am a woman in a sea of men, and I’m also quite petite,” says Siegel-Magness. “This is rather unusual but not a disadvantage at all. Polo is a game of the mind and Joe Henderson has taught me strength is important, but to power the ball, it’s all about technique.” Opposite: PRADA blouse, AGENT PROVOCATEUR corset, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN skirt and boots.
Sarah - Lifestyle
Sarah - Lifestyle
Hollywood hair stylist to the stars KEN PAVÉS created a signature braid. Opposite: Siegel-Magness is used to being in the director’s chair with film and producing credits under her saddle. She and husband Gary were nominated for an Oscar for their 2009 movie, PRECIOUS . LOUIS VUITTON blouse, AGENT PROVOCATEUR riding pants.
for years.” Then, three and a half years ago, the Magness family bought a place in Costa Careyes, built a capacious barn, and became benefactors of the polo club, and her devotion to the sport blossomed into a full-time passion. It was this passion—and her determination to grow as a player—that drew her to Santa Barbara last summer. “From the moment we set foot on this magical property, we fell in love,” she says. “We came to Santa Barbara initially to play polo but fell in love with the community.” Her husband and son Cable, the youngest of the couple’s three children, are active players too, and the family enjoys riding together and even competing against one
Sarah - Lifestyle “For any person who has ever thought about learning to play a sport later in life… don’t be afraid.” award-winning Lionsgate film Precious. She is the cofounder, along with husband Gary Magness, of Smokewood Entertainment, which is committed to the creation of thought-provoking and social justice-minded films. The pair is also active in a range of philanthropic activities, having cofounded the Fresh Air Fund’s Precious Center for Teen Leadership, among other youth-focused organizations and initiatives. “My goal is to create an environment for inner-city kids of Los Angeles to learn polo,” Siegel-Magness says. “That would be a dream.” Her interest in polo was sparked 17 years ago, when she and Gary wed at Costa Careyes, Mexico, which has an avid polo community. “When I watched my first match, I thought it was the most amazing game I’d ever seen,” she says. “I couldn’t get it out of my brain, but we had no place to play! I literally dreamed of playing polo
another. Siegel-Magness says polo is a great way to spend time with family, enjoy nature, and collaborate with men and women of all ages and backgrounds. But she is not the type of person to coast. “The minute you get complacent about the game, you will stop growing,” she says. “I am humbled every day being around the pros.” She is presently focusing her creative passions on expanding polo opportunities in Santa Barbara. The Magness family is working with the polo club to create an 8-goal Rincon League that will be played from June through October. It is absorbing work, but there’s nothing else she’d rather do. “I compare everything I do to polo,” she says. “If it is not more fun or more interesting than polo, I don’t have time to do it!”●
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
Sarah - Lifestyle
Gary and Cable Magness are active players too on their CANCHA DE ESTRELLAS 8-GOAL RINCON LEAGUE TEAM , and the family
enjoys riding together and even competing against one another. Opposite, left to right: A GUCCI look at the barns; tack.
House
Rustic ROMANCE Daniel and Elena De Meyer put love into the game and their home
WRITTEN BY
J E N NI F ER B LA I SE KRA MER MEG A N SO REL
PHOTOGRAPHS BY
A family that plays together— ELENA, OLIVIA, AND DANIEL DE MEYER raise their mallets
on the field. Opposite: UDO , the family’s wire-haired fox terrier, welcomes visitors to their NORMANDY-STYLE HOME in Carpinteria.
House
House
For Daniel and Elena De Meyer, their love story started on polo fields. The pair—she’s an actress, he’s in finance—met at the Will Rogers Polo Club in Los Angeles in 2002 and soon started dating. The fact that they both loved the horses, the tournaments, the wins, and the losses made it much easier to spend a lot of time with one another. “It’s hard if you don’t both play, the other partner has to be so tolerant,”
Elena says. “It’s great we can be together.” That passion for polo continues to fuel their marriage—and even real estate decisions. Five years ago, they moved from the Mission Rose Garden area to be closer to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, looking for a place where their school-age daughter, Olivia, could grow up around horses, farmers, and nature. Since the couple has European roots—she’s
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
A black-and-white photograph of OLIVIA taking a POLO LESSON
at the club rests on an easel. Opposite: Olivia draws a pony on a
chalkboard wall off the kitchen.
House
They found a cottage-style home not far from the polo field that looks as if it’s been plucked from the English countryside and dropped right in Carpinteria.
House
The DE MEYER FAMILY gathers before a ride. Opposite: Belgian linen RESTORATION HARDWARE drapes line the
windows in the LIVING ROOM , where an antique carved cradle has been used by De Meyer children for generations, most recently by Olivia.
House
“It’s hard if you don’t both play, the other partner has to be so tolerant,” Elena says. “It’s great we can be together.” from Romania and he has family in Belgium—they wanted a home base in California that felt like the best of both worlds. They found a cottage-style home not far from the polo field that looks as if it’s been plucked from the English countryside and dropped right in Carpinteria. “With timbered homes and horse country, it reminded me a lot of the Normandy coastline…all rolled up into a California scene,” says Daniel. That European romance is apparent at first glance with rounded rooflines, vaulted ceilings, wood beams, and warm sconces, which lend a cozy feel throughout the library and kitchen, where copper pots hang overhead. To enhance the rustic feel, they painted the walls in a soft custom blend of Flemish gray that Daniel calls the color of parchment and then layered on Belgian linen drapery. “The French are masters at shades of gray,” says Daniel, who did most of the home improvements himself. “We wanted to make it cozy, not grand, and give it that aged look.” French doors lead to various outdoor nooks— from a kitchen cutting garden that they keep full of seasonal veggies, flowers, and herbs, to a fragrant
House lemon garden to a tiered lawn with trellised walkways weaving through the one-acre property. In the summer, they picnic by the garden with friends before matches; in the fall, they throw a big autumn harvest party; during the holidays, all the old oaks are lit up when relatives come to visit. When not entertaining or playing low-goal polo together, the family of three heads overseas, which is always a source of design inspiration. “When you visit family as much as we do, you see how they do things—that blend of old and new,” Daniel says. “We come back with ideas every time.” ●
House
PICOTAZO gets his close-up. Opposite; clockwise from top left: The family;
an Argentine rawhide halter and whip; GROOMING THE HORSES ; TROPHY
from the 1997 C.D. LeBlanc Memorial Tournament at Will Rogers Polo Club; mallets; Elena relaxing after a day on the fields.
The GRANDE History
DAME
Celebrating the life and legacy of Elizabeth Skene
WRITTEN BY
J O A N TA PPER
Polo great ROBERT SKENE and his wife, ELIZABETH , arrive in Los Angeles after a match in Argentina in 1949. Opposite: Skene and teammates get the WINNERS’ TROPHY after a
tournament in 1959.
History
Top to bottom: Robert
Skene and a British team vied against the American Texas Rangers at the SANTA BARBARA POLO CLUB
in March 1939; the Skenes in 1985. Opposite: Robert, Elizabeth, and their son, Curtis, enjoyed some FAMILY TIME in Hawaii in 1955.
When Elizabeth Skene passed away on January 16 at the age of 104, it marked the end of an era at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. She was a familiar figure at Sunday games throughout the season—lovely, gracious, and ever attentive to the action on the field. And as the widow of famed polo player Robert Skene, she was a link to the club’s history—to some of its darkest, most precarious days and also to many instances of world-class games and glittering renown. Born in Australia, Elizabeth was the daughter of a sheep and cattle rancher. She met Robert—son of an 8-goal polo player and horse breeder—at a country dance when they were both 16. One circuit on the dance floor led to a lifelong romance that spanned four continents and nearly seven decades. Robert’s talent as a polo player took him to India and then to England in 1937, where Elizabeth soon joined him. They had a fashionable wedding there in 1938 and got their first glimpse of Santa Barbara the following year, when “Hurricane Bob,” as he was known, had a practice match here as a member of the English team bound for a tournament on the East Coast. Difficult days were ahead, however. Robert enlisted in India’s Gurkha cavalry, was posted to Singapore, and after that city fell to the Japanese, was incarcerated in the notorious Changi prison. A single postcard was the only word Elizabeth had of him for three and a half years. They were reunited in 1945 and eventually moved to California, where Robert took over as manager of the Santa Barbara Polo Club in 1960. He won the Argentine Open twice in 1954 and 1956 with team El Tebol and was on the Santa Barbara team that won the U.S. Open in 1962. These were just some of many trophies and honors for a player who held a
10-goal handicap for 17 years. He left for several seasons but returned in 1969 as changes in ownership and dwindling memberships made the club’s future uncertain. Robert’s determination and tireless hard work—with Elizabeth’s help and that of three generous and visionary trustees—saved the club. When Robert died in 1997, SBPRC’s future was secure. Elizabeth continued to attend games and hand out trophies for the tournament that bore her husband’s name. “She lived for the polo season,” says Paige Beard, a friend and longtime polo player. “It was a highlight of her year.” “She had a remarkable life,” adds her son, Curtis. “She had kept a diary through various periods of her life and had intended to publish it.” She became increasingly frail, however. After being safely evacuated during the Thomas Fire, she moved to Serenity House on January 8 and was unaware that the house she had lived in for decades was inundated by the subsequent mudslide. She passed on as gracefully as she led her life, in her sleep, a week later. Says Curtis, “She would want to be remembered for three things: First, she lived life to the best of her ability, always guided by her spiritual beliefs. Second, she was a steadfast partner in life to my father. And third, the tremendous efforts she and my father made to save the Santa Barbara Polo Club.” “Elizabeth and Bob Skene brought even more fame to the Santa Barbara Polo Club than the club’s recognition as having arguably the best playing fields in the world,” says Glen Holden, an SBPRC trustee of distinction. “As a polo couple, they were invited to England by Queen Elizabeth for special recognition in 1992. And when I invited Prince William and Kate for the club’s 100th anniversary, Prince William asked to meet Elizabeth. She looked beautiful that day. She was elegant. She was a wonderful lady, and we’ll miss her.” ●
History
“Elizabeth and Bob Skene brought even more fame to the Santa Barbara Polo Club than the club’s recognition as having arguably the best playing fields in the world.” —GLEN HOLDEN, SBPRC TRUSTEE OF DISTINCTION
History
Castle Brands
POLOScene Chuck Lande, Francisco Escobar, Nico Escobar, Margarita Lande, and Luis Escobar
Eileen Dill with Wendy and Michael Massa
Felipe Vercellino, Jim Wright, Santiago Trotz, Geoff Palmer, Grant Palmer, and Pat Nesbitt
John Muse, Ambassador Glen Holden, Gloria Holden
Bob Fell and Ben Soleimani
Whitney Muse, Lyn Muse, Tom Reynolds, Dick Nordlund, John Muse, and Kevin Mokarow
Facundo Obregon, Mike Uretz, Jesse Bray, Geronimo Obregon, Andy Lott, Robyn Lott, and Mariano Fassetta
Ed, Samantha, and Sarah Hurd
Polo Scene
Brian Fagan
Cindy Rhodes, Monte Rook, Bart Hillock, Pamala Temple, and Jonathan Stoller
Corey Williams
Charles Ward and Victoria Firestone
Bruce and Sheri Vincent with guests
Andrea Rodriguez and guests
Annette and Richard Caleel
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POLO SCENE
Danielle Burkitt, guests, and Brian Burkitt
David and Jayne Sigman
Guest, Eileen Dill, and Jeff Scheraga
Erin Boone, Geronimo Obregon, guests, and Mariano Obregon Charlotte Valentine, Greg Sharpe, Jerry Cupit, and guest Emilia Wulff, Jake Klentner, Inaki Wulff, and Jesse Bray
Chris Denson, Michael Kramer, guest, and Veronica Hansuld
Gilbert Delagnes, Paul Delagnes, guest, and Charles Ward
Polo Scene
Jeff Scheraga
David Lominska
Chris Denson, Michael and Lisa Amador, Veronica Hansuld, Michael Kramer, and guests Brian Fagan and Richard Mineards
Daniel Gonzalez and Chuck Lande
Colleen Sheive, Bilo Zarif, Jonathan Burrows, and Steve Crowder
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Craig and Kirsten Springer
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POLO SCENE
Carolyn Montgomery
Dr. Madison and Toni Richardson
2018 SOCIAL CALENDAR
Follow our social media channels for additional events and happenings throughout the season: Instagram, Facebook: @santabarbarapoloclub and Twitter: @sbprc
Beverly Singer and Doreen Ladin
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR Kick off every weekend this
season with Friday afternoon Happy Hour at the clubhouse beginning May 4 (opening weekend) through October 12 (closing weekend). From 4 to 6 pm, grab small bites for purchase that pair perfectly with signature cocktails, wine, and beer from the bar (open to the public). Happy Hour during the Pacific Coast Open will be on Thursdays—August 16, August 23, and August 30—from 4 to 6 pm.
Linda and Daniel Walker
Beverly and Ron Singer
PATRÓN TEQUILA AFTER-PARTY Can’t stop, won’t stop. Keep your Sunday funday rolling at our Patrón Tequilasponsored after-party immediately following the trophy presentation. Enjoy drinks for purchase at the bar and dance the night away with DJ Fab. (Complimentary with Sunday polo admission.)
Polo Scene Erin Walker and Amanda Klentner
THEME DAYS We love a good theme party! Stay tuned
for more details about signature theme days, including our popular Ladies Hat Day and more.
SAVE THE DATE
Andy Smith
MAY 13 Celebrate MOTHER’S DAY at the club. Treat the mothers in your life to a day of polo in paradise and enjoy bottomless mimosas ($15, not including cost of admission). MAY 18 Don’t miss BOOTS & BOURBON —think BBQ,
David Bremner and Glen Alger
Grant and Geoff Palmer
bourbon, and a mechanical bull…probably in that order! Enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening of Jefferson’s Bourbon tasting, the best barbecue in town (by chef Kyle Jones of The Creekside Restaurant & Bar), live music by the Brian Titus Trio, and yes, give it your best shot on the bull. ($50 for club members, $65 member guests.)
SEPTEMBER 2 Celebrate the end of the season at the ENGEL & VÖLKERS AFTER-PARTY immediately following the thrilling Pacific Coast Open Final. Come for the match and stay for the after-party! SEPTEMBER 8 Don’t miss the second-annual SANTA BARBARA POLO & WINE FESTIVAL (tickets: from $65,
early bird pricing is subject to availability, sbpoloandwine .com) from noon to 7 pm. Enjoy two polo matches, nationally touring artists, and tastings from some of Santa Barbara’s finest wineries.
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
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POLO SCENE
Chris Lancashire and Catherine Gee
Mandy Quattlebaum, guest, Carrie Quattlebaum, and guest
Gene and Dee Funkhouser
Jeep Holden, Alfonso Giannico, and Daniel Gonzalez Eileen Dill, Sandy Butler, and David Sigman
Guests and Ann Young
Hank Uretz, guest, David Samaniego, Tony Uretz, and guest
Judith Baker, Katie and Jef Graham, and Melanja Jones
Gonzalo Bourdieu and Costi Caset
Polo Scene Phil, Shelley, Lindsay, and Hayley Heatley
Jim Lichtman, Caren Roger, and guests Gilbert Delagnes, guest, and Paul Delagnes
Nigel Gallimore, Brian Fagan, and Toby Mayer
Trudy Baumgardner and guest
Santiago and Anita Wulff
John Muse and Kevin Mokarow
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
Francisco Escobar, Joel Baker, Jonathan Burrows
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POLO SCENE
Wesley Ru, guest, and Victoria Firestone
Guest, Jason Crowder, Cormac O’Brien, and Kaitlin Stout
Guest, Dana Hansen, and Jeff Scheraga
Lucas Criado and Curtis Skene
Pat and Ursula Nesbitt
Henry and Erin Walker
Nico, Lucas, Georgette, and Luis Escobar
Jonathan, Matthew, A.J., and Wendy Walker
Polo Scene Ron Singer and Curtis Whiteman
Morten Wengler
Raphaelle Wolfe, Rhys Williams, Charlotte Valentine, and Ashley Fickel
Payton McGraw
Gene McKnight
Olivia de Meyer and Emilia Wulff Richard Mineards and Katherine Barnes
Shelley Heatley and Margarita Fairbanks Lande Joe and Cindy Sapienza
Olivia de Meyer and Emilia Wulff
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
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POLO SCENE SCENE
Laura Lachman, Dr. Richard and Annette Caleel, and Robin and Bob Fell
Joanie and Greg Otero with Bruce and Susan Bornhurst
Guests, Priya Kapoor, and James Darnborough
Nigel Gallimore, guest, Brian Fagan, Mindy Denson, Michael Kramer, Veronica Hansuld, Luis Troia, and guest Georgette Escobar and David Sigman
Ken and Joan Berry
Joel, James, and Doreen Ladin
Suzanne Peika, Claudia Uretz, and David Lominska
Mary Stark and guest
Sergio Jaramillo
Polo Scene Paige Beard and guest
William Gumma and Jessica Keneally
Shannon and Payton McGraw
Touran Soleimani, Gimena Loza, and Ben Soleimani
Jason Crowder, Sheri and Bruce Vincent, and guests
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
Michael and Wiley Uretz
DEBORAH RICHARDS 805-570-1762 | deborah@villagesite.com villagesite.com | CalBRE 01104375
Specializing in ranches, vineyards, land and homes in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, Montecito, Hope Ranch and Santa Barbara County. A life-long equestrienne who understands horse owners' needs. Please don't hesitate to call me for a tour of available properties.
Village Properties - Richards.indd 1
Fractionals
3/28/18 3:47 PM
28 Years of Service in Our Community.
Thank You.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you and your family for the past 28 years. I look forward to working together with you toward your financial goals in the future.
Daniel J De Meyer Financial Advisor
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
MKT-5110A-A
.
125 E De La Guerra St Ste 101 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-564-0011
Daniel de Meyer.indd 1
3/20/18 12:02 PM
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2017 TOURNAMENT WINNERS Polo Winners
USPA Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK
Nico Escobar, Felipe Vercellino, Lucas Criado, and Danny Walker
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PHOTOGRAPHS: DAVID LOMINSKA
POLO SCENE
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POLO SCENE
Karma Automotive Robert Skene Trophy KLENTNER RANCH
Polo Winners
Geronimo Obregon, Jesse Bray, Facundo Obregon, and Justin Klentner
Engel & Vรถlkers America Cup
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK Nico Escobar, Felipe Vercellino, Lucas Criado, and Danny Walker
16-GOAL SERIES Belmond El Encanto Mayors Cup KLENTNER RANCH
Geronino Obregon, Jesse Bray, Facundo Obregon, and Justin Klentner
S A N TA B A R B A R A P O L O 2 0 1 8
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POLO SCENE
12-GOAL SERIES Ramsey Asphalt Pope Challenge U.S. POLO ASSN.
Guest, Danny Walker, Luis Escobar, Patrick Uretz, Nico Escobar, and guest
Polo Winners USPA La Martina Intra-Circuit Final LA MARTINA
Santi Trotz, Felipe Vercellino, Hana Grill, and Jim Wright
Summerland Winery Lisle Nixon Memorial TWIN PALMS
Danny Walker, Luis Escobar, Patrick Uretz, and Nico Escobar
Lucchese Vic Graber Cup
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK Danny Walker, Mariano Fassetta, Trey Gilmore, guest, Felipe Viana, and Leigh Brecheen
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POLO SCENE
Von Dornberg and Stick & Ball Co. USPA Wickenden Cup ACME ELIXIRS
John Ziegler, Jim Wright, Max Menini, and Leandro Floccari
Polo Winners 8-GOAL
SERIES
USPA President’s Cup ACME ELIXIRS
John Ziegler, Jim Wright, Max Menini, and Leandro Floccari
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2018 SEASON EARLY BIRD CHUKKERS April 18-28 Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays PRO-POOL LEAGUE May 3-June 24, September 9-October 7 RINCON LEAGUE 6-8 GOAL PRO-AM May 31-August 25 12-GOAL SERIES May and June Folded Hills Pope Challenge May 4-13
Lisle Nixon Memorial May 18-27 Vic Graber Cup June 1-10 USPA Intra-Circuit June 15-24 Fields closed June 25-July 6 16-GOAL SERIES July and August Belmond El Encanto High Goal Challenge July 8 Belmond El Encanto Robert Skene Trophy July 13-22 Maserati of Santa Barbara USPA America Cup (with semifinal) July 27-August 12 Pacific Coast Open (with semifinal) August 16September 2 Fields closed September 8 (Santa Barbara Polo & Wine Festival) 8-GOAL SERIES September and October USPA Presidents Cup September 15-23 Travel Associates USPA Wickenden Cup September 29-October 7
Polo Schedule
YOUTH TOURNAMENTS Miguel Torres/World Gym Youth Tournament July 7 Linfoot Memorial Youth Tournament August 11 Last Chance Tournament October 12-14 0-1 goal flight, 2-4 goal flight
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , P L E A S E C O N TA C T P O L O M A N A G E R M E L A N J A J O N E S AT M E L A N J A J @ S B P O L O . C O M . THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND FIELD ASSIGNMENTS (INCLUDING OUTSIDE F I E L D S ) A R E S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E AT T H E D I S C R E T I O N O F T H E M A N A G E M E N T.
WELCOME HOME to Santa Barbara
Compass - Ryken
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M RYKE
A N TA
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AR
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EA
E C I TO .
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I would be honored to help you find your next beautiful property here
B A R A. M O
TERRY RYKEN 805.896.6977 TerryJRyken@gmail.com TerryRyken.com
Š2018 Terry Ryken. CalBRE# 01107300. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.
Bryant & Sons