The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
The first day of summer nears and the days start getting shorter next week. I was driving down HWY 101 and almost fainted. A CHP officer was driving down the road and pulling behind slackers in left lane. He turned on his patrol car lights and moved them to the RIGHT, it was incredible to see. This made the passing lane open. This was so great to see. I only wish it could happen everyday. It would save so much gas construction and lives if they would simply educate people to pass on left and get over.
Now about Polo. Santa Barbara’s final 12-goal of 2016 starts today. Other than a little smoke, it should be a sunny day for once. We had May Gray, June Gloom and now summer smoke as it is Fire Season here. There is polo property nearby called Zacara Ranch where all horses had to be moved Wed. night which kept Maco busy for sure.
In the 12-goal Mr. Palmer heads to France, but his team is now Slovakia. The head man is Ivan Weiss. We welcome Mr. Weiss to the Gold Coast and hope he has a fantastic time while he is here. There are six teams cross bracket, so round 1 looks like this:
Farmers and Merchants will try to get back to the “win” column against Klentner Ranch at 11 a.m. In the next game at 2 pm it will be Twin Palms and Mr. Maloney taking on Mokarow Farms. To finish the day it is our Guest Mr. Weiss and Slovakia taking on Lady Leigh and Film Fiance. So come on out and meet the players and our new GM David. He seems like he is getting it going.
Down South in Sand Diego after wild opening weekend of over 5 thousand people they are still going forward and doing fantastic. Nourdean and Ashton seem to be flowing forward. I still think the USPA should make the Del Mar location the West Coast training center for polo and make it the key to growing polo in the West. You got millions of people and in that area a lot of young wealthy people along with prime time weather. It is a great destination to bring the family. It also has most of the facilities you need. I do not understand where it does not WORK.
Across the pond it is really big as the British Gold Cup, also known as the British Open, gets underway Tuesday. This may be the best polo in the world for competition, not he highest rated, but the toughest one. A couple of former Santa Barbara Patrons lock up early in the mix. Ben Solemani and Lyndon Lea battle early and Bob J. takes the helm of Mr. Adolfo Cambia and Mr. Nero as he tries to complete the sweep of U.S. Open, Spain’s Triple Crown and now the British Open. I am not sure if anyone has done that before. Patron Lyndon has a couple doubles in US and British Opens.
Well have a great weekend of polo from NY to CA. drive on the RIGHT and pass on the LEFT IT WORKS WELL.
see ya