66 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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anta Barbara, California, is known as the American Riviera,
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home to the most prestigious polo event of the summer season in
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I especially love Santa Barbara because it’s another one of those
rare places where you can play polo at a world class level at the
Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club and then ride your horse
down the road a bit for a gallop on the beach. The Polo Club here is
more than 100 years old and is the third oldest continuing member of
the United States Polo Association.
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its permanent home in Santa Barbara in 1962.
Coming back to Santa Barbara also gives me a chance to catch
up with old friends, teammates and competitors. This year I had the
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Remy Muller from the Houston Polo Club and of course Scott Wood,
the founder and leader of the ERG team.
A few days after I arrived, I got a call from Martin Nunoz, the
manager of ERG and the Brookshire Polo Club. He informed me that
Scott would be unable to play and that I was named his replacement.
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myself … this was really happening.
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against the Wildcat Polo Team. It was a little strange playing against
my old teammate Paco de Narvaez. I played with Paco in Palm
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due to a broken hand. Polo can be a tough sport.
Polo
Royalty
at Santa Barbara
POLO
PASSION FOR POLO
“To win any one of the historic tournaments
in Santa Barbara is an honor. For over 100
years the most talented players in the world
have battled to take home the El Encanto Cup,
USPA Nespresso America Cup, USPA Lucchese
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Open. Princes and Rajas have played on these
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tournaments will crown a player as polo royalty.”
— Santa Barbara Polo Club
By Kerstie Allen
Left:
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action in Santa
Barbara
Bottom:
Trading
in her riding
clothes for a
party dress,
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the party goers
celebrated their
true passion
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attended the
ERG Polo
Party wearing
an ensemble
courtesy of
the US Polo
Association.
Photos by
Abraham
Hernandez
