The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder

My hat is off to Paige Beard as she is a Lone Ranger on this women’t tournament project … nearly… but she gets it done.  It was easily the biggest crowd of the year here in Santa Barbara on a great day and it there was great polo as well. They had plenty to cheer for as Ladies from as far away as Argentina and as close as Carpinteria competed. The big guns were out for the finals and they were Rockin’ as well as the crowd.

It was a combo of two games with an accumulating score as there were 3 teams in this flight. The first two chukkars on Sunday prime time were EMPIRE POLO with Roxy Keyfauver, Cybele Jordan and a power player from Texas maybe the second best player here, Carolyn Stimmel. She is very strong anywhere.  They played with the hustle of young Danielle Travis, who was a lady on a mission and did very well. They faced TERRY RYKEN SOTHEBY’S, who were her to play and came out smoking with another Texan Kristy Waters.  She is not afraid of fire and she had some good help as California’s Megan Judge and Karen Reese were on the move at all times. Cecilia Cochran, I think from Hawaii, played with them and she showed no problem with speed or bumping. It was Terry coming out on top for the first 2 chukkers.   Their team  got to take a break for two more chukkers and Empire took on Jeff Kazmark’s ESTANCIA VENTARRON, which is a Argentine Polo Ranch where they raise and sell many top horses around the planet.  They just happen to have the best lady player in the world … Sunny ( Sunset) Hale along with tournament Director Paige Beard and Natasha Beacher and the hard-hitting Kate Weber.  They had great game against Empire, but just won out by one and this made the last two the sure enough winner takes all.

It was down to hard-riding quick as a whip Kristy Waters and Terry Ryken teammates taking on MISS POLO SH and Ventarron teammates and it was a rapid moving game with both # 4’s playing outstanding as Kristy Waters and Kate Weber constantly turned the play and came flying through but Kate had the ace as sunny often showed why she is the Cambiaso of the WCT which by the way means WOMENS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS . It was a great show and a splendid lead into the visit of the Prince and his Lady which should be huge leading into the 20 goal tournaments and best of all the Sun was out all day . The MVP was Kate Weber and the Best Playing Pony went to Bill Atkins horse not sure on name but was outstanding for Carolyn Stimmel and Kristy Waters daughter won the SURF CONTEST and she is from Texas and no Ocean nearby figure that one . WELL DONE PAGE AND THANKS IN A BIG WAY TO JEFF KAZMARK,TERRY RYKEN AND AL HAGAN YOU ALL MADE IT HAPPEN andmany thanks to all the Ladys here as there were 4 teams in second flight but I do not know the results.

see ya