2017 Eldorado Polo Magazine

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POLO

CONTENTS SUNDAY POLO ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 11 PRESIDENT’S WELCOME �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14 ELDORADO ALMANAC ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18 A SPECTATOR SPORT ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29 ROSÉ ALL DAY! ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 40 PROFILES.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 POLO STYLE ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 52 ELDORADO GALLERY �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 60 AFTER POLO ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 66 TOURNAMENT RESULTS 2016 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 72 JUNIOR POLO ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 78 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & MAP ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 80 PROUST & POLO ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 82

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ETHAN KAMINSKY

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Open for Lunch 7 days a week.

Dinner Tuesday-Saturday

For more information or reservations please call: LOCATED AT CLASSIC CLUB IN PALM DESERT Classic Club is managed by Troon Golf,® the leader in upscale golf course management.

1-760-601-3690 www.playclassicclub.com/bellatrix.html

Megan Kozminski megan@mediaspur.com

ART DIRECTOR Ryan Germain ryan.germain@gmail.com

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR

Our business is about two things – you and your financial well-being

Vanessa Shapiro vanessa@eldoradopoloclub.com

CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER Lacey Winterton LaceyWinterton.com

CONTRIBUTORS

James a’Court, Jorge A. Bayardo, Doug Blumenthal, Graham Bray, Kim Kumpart, Debbie Morrison, Vanessa Shapiro, Diane Thacker, Mike Ward, Kaylee Wroe, Tonya Zelinsky JOHN CRESPY Senior Vice President, Investments

TERRI REYNOLDS Senior Registered Sales Associate

Printed in the USA by Publication Printers Corp. © 2017 Eldorado Polo Club Published by Eldorado Polo Club

74-710 Highway 111, Suite 101 // Palm Desert, CA 92260 T: 760.862.6742 // TF: 877.280.2241 // F: 760.340.9320 john.crespy@raymondjames.com © 2016 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Raymond James is a registered trademark of Raymond James Financial, Inc. 16-BR3ET-0041 TA 11/16

INDIO

We are the largest & fastest growing city in the Coachella Valley with nearly 90,000 residents and 1.4 million visitors every year.

WELCOME

www.indio.org

Not only are we world renowned for such festivals as the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Desert Trip, but we are rich in culture and history, enjoy a safe and high quality of life, and have great restaurants, shops, parks, and community services.

Find out why so many people visit and call Indio home!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY 2017 1 Polo Games 7-8 Palm Springs Kennel Club Dog Show 11-5 Family Motor Coach of Western Area Rally 26-29 Southwest Arts Festival Indio

FEBRUARY 7 Annual Indio Health & Wellness Fair 17-26 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival 24-25 Indio Art in the Square Chalk Festival MARCH 4 Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience 18 Indio Heritage Festival APRIL 14-16 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 21-23 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 2 28-30 Stagecoach Country Music Festival MAY 19-21 Comic Con Indio 20 Indio Block Party NOVEMBER TBD Indio California BBQ State Championship & Festival TBD Indio Powwow DECEMBER TBD Indio International Tamale Festival eldorado polo

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ELDORADO: WELCOME

ENJOY POLO AT ELDORADO SUNDAY POLO

CANTINA PATIO POLO

Field 1 – Eldorado Clubhouse Sundays, January 8 – April 2, 2017 Games at 12pm & 2pm Admission: $10 per car

Saturdays & Sundays, January 7 – March 26, 2017 Saturdays 12pm, Sundays 10am

Clubhouse Restaurant

The best place to enjoy Sunday Polo, featuring table service, à la carte menu and full bar. Reservations recommended by calling (760) 831-POLO. Group bookings and special events welcome!

Tailgating & General Admission

Enjoy the polo sidelines in casual comfort. Bring your friends, family, lawn chairs, pets (on leashes!) and set up your own perfect Sunday polo tailgating event.

Take-away food and beverages are available in the Clubhouse Courtyard.

Get close up to all of the polo action while dining on the patio of the Cantina. Matches feature play-by-play commentary as the thundering hooves roll by. Seating is first-come, first-serve, so be sure to arrive early!

The Cantina is also open Tuesdays through Sundays for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers one of the most beautiful sunset views in the desert. Rub shoulders with the players at the Cantina at the weekly Sunday Polo After Party with live entertainment.

Avenue 50 & Madison Ave construction will be ongoing this season. For entry on Sundays, please access the club entrance at 50950 Madison Ave via AVENUE 52.

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ELDORADO: WELCOME

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elcome to the 60th Anniversary season of the Eldorado Polo Club! Your participation as a member, student, spectator, or sponsor is greatly appreciated in maintaining an exceptional level of polo at our historic club.

Eldorado Polo Club has, since 1957, maintained a reputation as the desert’s premier polo destination and best player–oriented club. As we kick off the 2016-2017 season, we sincerely welcome all the teams, players and ponies who make Eldorado their winter home. We know that you will all enjoy the competitive tournaments and excellent fields and facilities.

This season Eldorado will host monthly 12 Goal, 8 Goal, 4 Goal and Pro Pool league play—making for some of the most competitive polo in the Western U.S. We look forward to hosting numerous tournaments in 2016–2017, including the USPA National Rossmore Cup Skins Tournament, the 6 Goal USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Governor’s Cup, and many more.

If you are interested in taking up the great sport of polo, we encourage you to contact the Polo & Riding Academy, which offers individual and group instruction for players of all levels.

Eldorado Polo Club’s commitment to polo is managed by a great team of dedicated staff: Debbie Morrison and Rob Roenisch, Assistant Polo Managers; James a’Court, Marketing and Events Director; Kyle Fargey, Polo Academy Professional Instructor; Diane Thacker, Controller; and Miguel Ramos, our Field Foreman.

We are also pleased to introduce Best Beverage Catering at The Cantina at Eldorado, which is open Tuesday through Sunday, as well as at the Clubhouse on Sundays. If you want to join in the camaraderie that has drawn players and guests to Eldorado for more than half of a century, join us for polo and the After Polo Party each Sunday!

In closing, we would like to recognize our successful ongoing partnership with Goldenvoice, the host company of Coachella, Stagecoach and other music events.

Their participation and generosity help to preserve the sport of polo at Eldorado.

We are always open to hearing your suggestions and feedback as we strive to make Eldorado all that it can be, and we wish everyone the very best and safest polo season.

Sincerely,

Michael C. Ward President of the Board of Directors

ELDORADO POLO CLUB CONTACT INFO 50950 Madison Street, Indio, CA T. 760.342.2223 E. eldorado@eldoradopoloclub.com eldoradopoloclub.com Club Veterinarian: San Dieguito Equine Group, Mike Manno T. 760.591.9952

STAFF Graham Bray Polo Manager | T. 760.774.2583 Diane Thacker Controller | T. 760.342.2223 Debbie Morrison Assistant Polo Manager | T. 760.221.6276 Rob Roenisch Assistant Polo Manager | T. 760.406.2718 James a’Court Marketing and Events Director T. 760.831.9696 Kyle Fargey Polo Professional & Instructor, Eldorado Polo & Riding Academy | T. 760.702.0244 Megan Kozminski Instructor, Eldorado Polo & Riding Academy | T. 403.926.7260 Lacey Winterton Photographer | E. llwinterton@gmail.com Vanessa Shapiro Sales Director, Eldorado Polo Magazine E. vanessa@eldoradopoloclub.com Miguel Ramos, Field Foreman Bob Rambo, Maintenance

Graham Bray Polo Manager

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Violeta Escapite, Office Administrator Tony Gregg, Announcer Lyn Baldwin, Games Assistant

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©2017 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchise of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. CalBRE #01170031

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DISCOV E R L U X URY T H AT ’S ANYTHING BUT BORING This is Royal Suite Class – and it’s elevating ever y aspect of your vacation. Like a private cabana at our exclusive tropical destination of Labadee ® , or a back stage tour at your favorite onboard Broadway show. And it can all be arranged by your ver y own Royal Genie, who crafts unique experiences like these just for you. All in the most expansive suites at sea, from a slice of paradise right outside your door to revolutionar y multi-level Royal Loft Suites.

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ELDORADO: ALMANAC

POLO NOMADS

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here do polo players go when the Eldorado season is over?

Players spread across the U.S., Canada and beyond! This past summer, Geoff Palmer played at the Polo Club Saint-Tropez.

Justin Klentner, Jesse Bray, Dan Walker and Chris Maloney played at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, home of the prestigious Pacific Coast Open. Jenny and Francisco Benardoni were joined by Max Menini, Ruben Coscia and others at 6S Polo Ranch in Idaho, and then traveled over to the Jackson Hole Polo Club in Wyoming, where they played against M3 Polo’s

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

FOOTPRINTS

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ho’s the man in the striped jersey on Field 1? That’s Professional Umpire Fergus Gould. Gould hails from Ellerston, Australia, where both his dad and uncle were 6-goal rated players. Fergus came to the U.S. to play professional polo in 2006. But by 2010, opportunities for umpiring arose in locations such as Saint-Tropez, and he shifted gears.

Since January of 2015, Fergus has worked as a full-time umpire for the United States Polo Association. He is one of only a half-dozen umpires who can officiate the highest level of polo in the world. Fergus loves coming home to the community and camaraderie of the California desert. For Fergus, ‘home’ is wherever his wife, Lacey, and 2-year-old son, Ivor, are at any given time. One of the downfalls of international travel is being away from his family; but as much as possible, they all travel together. The greatest perk of the

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Madelyn Cobb. Joe Henderson, Kyle Fargey, Dayelle Fargey and Patrick Uretz summered at the Calgary Polo Club in Canada. Nicolas Maciel, Gery Warner and George Dill took home the Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup in Spokane.

Bryan and Carin Middleton played at the Houston Polo Club and at ERG in Brookshire, while Nicolai Galindo and Peter Blake played at Midland Polo Club in Texas. And logging the most highway time… Jared Sheldon, who crossed the country to play at Mashomack Club in New York and then down to Grand Champions Club in Florida!

www.eldoradopoloclub.com

job? Fergus contends: “I’ve got the best seat in the house—on the field. And I’m surrounded by some of the best players in the world.”

Kaylee Wroe Photography

very year, close to 1 million people visit the Eldorado Polo Club. In season, the club draws 20,000 people to games, the Cantina, the Clubhouse and Sunday Polo tailgating. Out of season, world-renowned concert events such as Coachella, Stagecoach and Desert Trip draw more than 900,000 visitors. In case you are wondering, no polo ponies are on site for these concert events. Between December and April, 1,000+ polo ponies are stabled at Eldorado and more than 2,000 games are played on the club’s first-class fields.

On the exercise track, you will see as many as 50 riders and 250 horses getting ‘legged-up’ at any one time. How many ponies come to each game? Each player needs 4-8 horses (depending on the tournament level and number of chukkers), so 8 times 8 plus a few extra for the mounted officials: almost 70 ponies! Which is why the end-zones are busy with horse trailers, team tents, polo equipment and team staff. Remember to respect the space around the ponies and players on game days—they are hard at work.

POLO PAGE-TURNERS

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f you can’t get your fill of polo on the field or Eldorado sidelines, reach for some polo fiction this season. The classic namesake novel, POLO, was published

by Jilly Cooper in 1991. It’s a sensationalist story of polo players living scandalous and exciting lives. On a realistic scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the honest-to-god truth), POLO scores about a 3.5, but it’s a fun escape nonetheless. More recently, polo player and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras released a series of polo-related romance novels, ghost-written by an author from the Hudson Valley. Figueras promotes the series to a broad audience: “The Polo Season series… blends my favorite sport with a little bit of romance. Whether you’re already a polo fan or completely new to the game… you will enjoy these characters and their stories”. If you are looking for a novel that lands a little

closer to home (i.e., reality), reach for Players: A Game of Grit and Glory, the first novel from E. H. Humphreys. An avid polo player with ties to England, Scotland, New York and California, Humphreys brings experience and

knowledge to this engaging and unique novel.

Eldorado provides the backdrop to a portion of Players and Humphreys can often be found around the club during the season to sign your personal copy.

FAVORITE PONY

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t is well-known by many players that when Jared Sheldon rides onto the field on his best pony Sasha, he will be nearly impossible to beat. Jared bought Sasha as a 5-year-old from renowned horseman Corky Linfoot. She showed potential to be an average-to-good polo pony, but after a year working with her, Jared found another gear: “Her development has been incredible. She is one of the fastest horses at the club, and she stops and turns on a dime. On top of that, she has the sweetest temperament. My 2-year-old son Charles is completely in love with her.”

Sasha won Best Playing Pony honors in the 2016 Eldorado Cup and Sheldon is confident that she will only get better.

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Rancho La Serena

Incredible new construction on 20 acres of the best land in Thermal. Just down the street from the polo fields in one direction, and the HITS horse show grounds in the other. The private airport and race track are also adjacent to this 6475 sq. ft. main home, 1695 sq. ft. guest home and 442 sq. ft. caretakers apartment. The property has an agricultural well, and the date orchards bring income. A beautiful pool sits in the grass with the stunning west mountains of La Quinta as a backdrop. The home is exquisite, with a wonderful old world feeling and a European transitional feel in the kitchen and baths. The kitchen opens to a family room, with a large breakfast nook. There is a formal dining room overlooking the pool and grounds, and a very large living room with fireplace. The master bedroom is on the main floor, there are 2 guest bedrooms upstairs with a den between them, and the kitchen has a butler’s pantry and a large storage pantry. Offered at $5,950,000

Deirdre A Coit BRE #00956865 Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, California Properties 760-835-1006

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ELDORADO: INTRO TO POLO

POLO:

A SPECTATOR SPORT! Polo is one of the most exciting sports in the world to play. It can also be just as exciting to spectate if you understand some of the basic concepts and rules.

GAME FORMAT

PLAYER POSITIONS

Outdoor polo is played on a grass field the size of nine footballs fields (300 yards long by 160 yards wide). There are 4 players on each team, and all players must play with the mallet in their right hand.

Each of the 4 players on an outdoor polo team are assigned positions from 1 to 4, as designated by their jerseys. The number 1 player assumes the most offensive position on the team, concentrating on opportunities for scoring. Number 2 is also a mostly offensive player, backing up the number 1 and defensively covering the opposing teams’ number 3. Like a quarterback, the number 3 is the tactical leader on the field who is often responsible for game strategy and field advantage. This player must be able to hit long shots to his number 1 and 2 players, as well as maintain a solid defensive position. The number 3 is often the highest-handicapped player on the team.

Number 4 is primarily a defensive player, responsible for guarding the goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring.

A polo game begins with a throw-in at center field, with team players lined up facing the opposing team. A mounted umpire throws the ball into play to start the game and clock. Each chukker, or period of play, is a maximum of 7 1/2 minutes long, and there are 4 minutes between each chukker. Most polo games are 6 chukkers long, and players use a different horse for each chukker.

RULES

SCORING

The rules of polo function to keep players and ponies safe during the game. The most important concept in polo is the line of the ball.

This is an imaginary line that is created by the direction of the ball’s movement. The player approaching the ball along this line (or at the narrowest angle to it) has the right-of-way and any players wishing to change that possession must make a defensive play.

A goal is scored whenever the ball crosses the line between the goal posts. The posts are approximately 8 yards apart and a goal counts no matter if it was knocked in by a mallet or kicked in by a pony. Teams change ends after each goal is scored. There are no goal nets in polo, which allows the players and ponies to run through the posts. Each goal counts for 1 point, and the team with the most points at the end of the match wins.

There are a few options for players trying to take control of the line during the game. The first involves physical contact and is called a ride-off. Similar to a shoulder check in hockey, this maneuver allows players and ponies that are parallel to push one another away from the line of the ball. You will also see players perform a hook, by using their mallet to interfere with another player’s swing.

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SPECTATOR TRADITIONS TAILGATING Tailgating is one of polo's oldest traditions and one of the best ways to watch the game. Tailgating can be as simple as lawn chairs and umbrellas, or as upscale as VIP tents, hosted bars and elaborate buffets.

DIVOT STOMP Spectators are invited onto the polo field at half-time to help replace the divots created by the galloping game. The divot stomp allows spectators to socialize as well as experience the field first-hand. It also repairs the field, creating a better travel surface for the ball and ponies in the second half of the game.

Champagne or beverages are commonly served.

GLOSSARY OF POLO TERMS CHUKKER

PENALTY SHOT

A period of play in polo, lasting 7 ½ minutes.

An infraction of the game rules, particularly when safety is involved, is a foul and most often results in the umpires awarding the other team a penalty shot. Penalty shots range in distance from the goal end, depending on the severity of the foul.

HANDICAP Players are assigned handicaps by the USPA (United States Polo Association), ranging from -2 (or C), to 10. The higher the handicap, the better the player.

HOOK Using one’s mallet to block or interfere with an opponent's swing.

NEAR-SIDE

RIDE-OFF A defensive attempt to move a player off of the line of the ball by making shoulder-to-shoulder contact with the other players’ horse.

THIRD MAN

The left-hand side of a pony.

A referee on the sidelines of the field, who the umpires approach if they disagree on a call during the game.

OFF-SIDE

UMPIRE

The right-hand side of a pony.

Two mounted officials are on the field at all times, responsible for enforcing the rules of play.

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REVERSIBLE ALPACA KNIT COLLAR PONCHO IN CREAM 186 East Blithedale Avenue | Mill Valley, CA 94941 Tel: 415.388.2270 info@stickandballco.com

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Palm Springs Convention Center Opening Night Preview Thurs. Feb. 16

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Pard Morrison, Courtesy of Charlotte Jackson Fine Art

FEBRUARY 16-19, 2017

LEARN TO PLAY POLO!

ELDORADO POLO & RIDING ACADEMY For novice and first-time players Never sat on a horse before? No experience is required to enjoy a polo lesson! Our coaches will provide structured instruction on safe school ponies. You will be successfully riding and hitting the ball in your very first lesson!

For intermediate and experienced players Practice makes perfect! Join us for specialized private or group lessons, or weekend clinics. Or learn more about rules and strategy in Coaching League.

A Polo Experience Host your next corporate event at the polo club! We welcome players of any skill level in groups of up to 16 players. Make a day of it: enjoy a lesson, take in a tournament game, and enjoy lunch in the Cantina or Club House. Let us personalize a Polo Experience for you.

Your Pony is Waiting Ponies, polo tack and equipment included. Lessons range from 1 to 1.5 hours in duration, and pricing starts at $85. There are a variety of school horses to suit players of all levels, or you are welcome to bring your own seasoned polo horse.

Come try polo in a safe and fun environment! Just one warning: the sport of polo is very addictive – after only one game, you can become hooked for life!

-Kyle Fargey, Polo Professional & Instructor

Kyle Fargey | 760.702.0244 kyle@eldoradopoloclub.com

Megan Kozminski | 403.926.7260 eldoradopoloclub.com/polo-academy

ELDORADO: POLO STYLE

STRENGTH. STAMINA. AGILITY. RESPONSIVENESS. For 109 years the Walker family has lived by these qualities, and the result has been the creation of one of America’s Strongest Banks. Whether it’s on the polo field or in the business world, strength, discipline and planning matters most. It’s something that we’re known for at F&M Bank.

As experienced partners personally invested in your success, our strength comes from having remained focused on honesty, integrity, wisdom and a commitment to conservatism since 1907. F&M Bank congratulates the El Dorado Polo Club in celebration of their 60th Anniversary.

Player: Daniel K. Walker Polo Pony: Rock on Red

California’s Strongest, since 1907.

Member FDIC | fmb.com 26

www.eldoradopoloclub.com

Photography by Doug Blumenthal

Cotterel Polo Farms Declo, Idaho OPENING JUNE 2017

Featuring: 3 Polo Fields, Exercise Track, 140 Box Stalls, 25-Room Lodge on site For more information, please contact: Francisco Benardoni @ 303-325-6972 Jennifer Luttrell Benardoni @ 303-549-9610

IMMIGRATION LAW sports visas – work permits – green cards

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uspa & usef members

Photo by Dominick Lemarie Photography

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Wishing all teams at Eldorado Polo Club the best of luck in 2017

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ELDORADO: ANNIVERSARY

DIAMOND DAYS OF ELDORADO Beginning in February 2017, the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame will honor Eldorado Polo Club’s 60th Anniversary with a year-long exhibit in its main hall. In celebration of this milestone for Eldorado, we share a few highlights of the club’s early history and introduce a few of its original players and founders.

Clockwise from top left: The initial membership application to the United States Polo Association (USPA), dating from August 23, 1957; The club’s first Annual Program cover, published for the 1958-1959 polo season; An excerpt from the 1958-1959 Program welcome, written by Eldorado’s first delegate, William Tevis.

Robert Skene

Bob Smith

Peter Hitchcock

Willis Allen

David Moore, Tom Healy, Madelyn Trione, Tony Elrod, Henry Trione

Carlton Beal and Harry Hicks

Original Clubhouse

Bud Burnett, Willis Allen, Les Emery, Frank Yutteria, John Emery

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF POLO Located in Wellington, Florida, the National Museum of Polo is home to an extensive collection of historic documents, artifacts, trophies, art, films, and polo memorabilia. It is a non-profit educational organization that relies entirely on fund-raising and donations. The museum offers an open invitation to the annual Hall of Fame Induction Awards Gala in February of each year (dubbed the “Academy Awards of Polo�).

Visit the museum or their website to learn more about events or exhibits, or to make a donation.

9011 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL (561) 969-3210 | polomuseum.com

PLAY SUMMER POLO AT CANADA’S PREMIERE POLO CLUB!

Photography by Victoria McFadyen

Photography by Victoria McFadyen

Since 1890, the Calgary Polo Club has hosted world-class polo tournaments. Local and international players come together each summer for exciting polo, excellent parties, and unbeatable views of the rolling Alberta foothills and breathtaking Rocky Mountains.

Join us for High, Medium or Low Goal tournaments next summer, or visit the Calgary Polo & Riding Academy to improve your game.

Okotoks, Alberta, Canada | (403) 938-0182 calgarypoloclub.com

ELDORADO: ANNIVERSARY

WILLIAM GILMORE

B

ill Gilmore was a powerful force in California polo from San Francisco to the desert. In the 1930’s, playing often at Will Rogers and Santa Barbara, he recognized the potential for polo players in L.A. to play in Palm Springs. At the rodeo/parade grounds (the current site of the Palm Springs airport), Bill organized a February and early March league and invited well known 10 Goal players (like George Pope) to play with him and Charlie Farrell, Walt Disney, Spencer Tracy, Buddy Rogers, Clark Gable and others. Hundreds of spectators would show up to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood celebrities.

After WWII, when polo had declined due to the war, the Gilmore and Jason Families invested in the Thunderbird Dude Ranch, where

F

in addition to constructing the first desert golf course, they set up an airstrip that doubled as a polo field. Regulars like Don Howden, Peter Hitchcock and Willis Allen would fly in, play, vacation and fly out.

This foresight influenced a group of players to join Bill Gilmore in the acquisition of 40 acres adjacent to Eldorado Country Club for polo.

Bill remained instrumental in the success of polo in the desert and passed on his enthusiasm and legacy to his family: daughter Madelyn and son in-law, Mack Jason, were active partners in both Eldorado clubs; and grand-daughter, Lyn Jason Cobb, and great grand-daughter, Madelyn Mackall Cobb, are active members of the club today.

TONY VEEN

rom 1959 to 1979, Tony Veen was the manager of the Eldorado Polo Club. Before he took up residence in the desert, he played at various other California clubs, with Hollywood players like Jack Warner, Errol Flynn and Spencer Tracy. Through these connections he landed a part in several John Wayne films and was widely acclaimed for his work as a chariot stunt-driver in the epic Ben Hur.

Veen achieved a 4 Goal handicap and many players affectionately referred to him as Uncle Tony. He would go out of his way to help and take care of people—from organizing and playing in tournaments, to preparing fields and then cooking dinners at the Club House. Alex Jacoy suggests that Veen initiated the ‘polo manager’ role at Eldorado that survives to this day: players as managers, who cater to club members above all else.

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ELDORADO: ANNIVERSARY

A LIFELONG FRIEND AMBASSADOR GLEN HOLDEN

I

t was 1974 at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. Glen Holden and his Gehache Polo Team were going into the final chukker of a game, ahead by 2 goals. But just as Glen was saddling up, he noticed one of his opposing players (a visitor from Argentina) having great difficulty with his 6th chukker mount. Glen rode over to him and said “that’s not your pony for this chukker, your pony is over here,” pointing to one of his own tacked spare ponies. Without time to say thank you or think twice, the visiting player hit the field on Glen’s pony, scored 4 back-to-back goals, and defeated Gehache to win the game!

Glen Holden looks back at this polo moment with great enthusiasm because despite his loss, he made a lifelong friend. And with that friend, Marcos Uranga, Glen and his wife Gloria have toured Argentina and many other parts of the world. On one of their early trips, Uranga told Glen of his dream to start an international polo federation that would invite all polo playing nations to compete in a World Championship. Glen chuckled in response: “It’s a great idea Marcos, but how would we ever get that done?”

Just a few years later, Uranga and Holden founded the Federation of International Polo (FIP). Since 1982, the FIP has been known world-wide for enhancing and promoting the image and practise of the sport on an international level. Polo is now played in more than 80 countries across the world, and the 11th FIP World Championship will take place in Sydney in 2017. You can be sure that both Holden and Uranga will be there.

Holden came to polo in 1955 and quickly became an avid player and supporter of the sport. He joined a group of fellow players to

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become an owner of Eldorado Polo Club in 1975. His Gehache Polo Team played for 35 straight years in the Pacific Coast Open and many times in the U.S. Open, winning the championship when it was held at Eldorado in 1993. Glen was the Pacific Coast Circuit Governor from 1976–1984, and has served 41 years as a trustee of the Santa Barbara Polo Club. After helping to found the FIP, he served as President from 1997–2005. During his term, the FIP gained the outright recognition of the International Olympic Committee to be the worldwide governing body for the sport of polo.

Glen was inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame in 2002. He describes being “surprised, then thrilled, then honored” to receive the award. Yet looking back on his life in polo and at Eldorado, Glen values the games, families, and friendships over his awards and accolades: “Polo has introduced myself and Gloria to so many friends.”

The Holdens remain regular supporters of Sunday polo at Eldorado, and are always thrilled to see polo friends, old and new. “At Eldorado, there have been many marvelous and dedicated supporters, staff and members over the years. It’s an outstanding club. I believe it to be 1 of the 5 most important clubs in America.” Holden’s fondest memory of Eldorado was a family affair: “There were 32 teams in the Governor’s Cup and the Gehache team of myself, my son Jeep, my son-in-law Mike, and Alfonso Giannico won the whole thing! It meant the world to me to play and win with my family.”

POLO GUARDIAN FRED P. MANNIX

A

s a club owner and the sponsor of the Fish Creek and Millarville polo teams for more than 3 decades, Fred Mannix has made a lasting impression upon the history of the Eldorado Polo Club.

Yet the significance of Mannix’s contributions are not always those recognized in the history books, even the ones he commissions himself.

Fred is well-known to be a strong proponent of polo training, instruction, and mentorship. He entrusted his own polo development to the most talented instructors and professionals: taking lessons and clinics with Corky Linfoot; and hiring Rob and Julie Roenisch to direct his pony operation. He continued his polo education alongside experienced teammates like Willis Allen and Joe Barry, and under the guidance of professional players who captained his teams for decades.

Contributing to much of the success of Mannix’s Fish Creek polo operation was allegiance. Fred is a strong believer that keeping players and teams together across time “benefits the team, the game, and the sport.”

Some of his favorite memories are playing in Skins tournament games with long-time teammate Julio Zavaleta in the 80s and 90s. Also, the U.S. Open in 1991: “It was a memorable year. We put two teams in the tournament. I played with Julio on Fish Creek, and playing for Millarville, Julie Roenisch became the first woman to ever play in the U.S. Open.”

Determination and sportsmanship also prevailed as defining characteristics of Mannix’s polo career. After playing for just 5 or 6 years, Fred landed himself on a team with Prince Charles at Guards in England and he was committed to playing almost year-round in Canada and the U.S.

Fred’s dedication quickly garnered the respect of his polo peers. He won the Tommy Hitchcock Award on two occasions, as well as the Hugo Dalmar Trophy. The latter was a more meaningful award to him: “I accord a lot of prestige to the Dalmar Sportsmanship Trophy. Sportsmanship needs to be promoted in polo, it’s a very important aspect of the game.”

In 2015, Mannix received the Philip Iglehart Award from the National Polo Museum. In his acceptance remarks he discussed one of his greatest passions: the passing of knowledge and skill to the next generation of polo players. He uses the success of the early Junior Polo program at Eldorado as an example: “Susan Stovall, Corky Linfoot, Joe Barry, Tommy Wayman and Artie Cameron made the program a huge success.

Of the 18 juniors who trained in the 1990s, 12 of them are playing High Goal polo today.” Fred’s commitment to Junior polo continues by way of two annual Fish Creek Junior Tournaments.

The successful polo careers of his two sons, Freddy and Julian, are a further reminder of Fred's enduring contributions to the sport. Freddy is the highest-rated Canadian player and one of the best in the world. He became the second-ever Canadian to play in the Argentine Open Final in 2013. Younger brother Julian won the prestigious U.S. Open in 2014 and is one the highest scoring sponsors to ever play in Florida.

“My biggest contribution to the sport, with the support and encouragement of my wife Li-Anne, has been instilling the love of polo in our two sons… who represent, in my view, the future of polo in North America.”

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ELDORADO: ANNIVERSARY

Q&A

WITH JOHN LEARY

T

he Learys and Galindos account for one of the largest polo playing families in Eldorado’s history. John Leary, Sr., originally took up polo in his home state of Oregon in the early 70s. Once his six kids got the polo bug, he realized that his family had a need for polo that only Eldorado could sustain. Decades later, John still visits the club regularly to watch his grandkids play.

How did you get started in polo?

My girls were in 4H club when a visitor showed up with some mallets and started teaching the kids about polo. I was immediately intrigued and starting playing. My girls were very keen and started very shortly after.

Who influenced your polo career?

Meeting Carlos Galindo in the early 1980s certainly influenced my polo.

He was a professional player and horse trainer who came to Eldorado from Midland, Texas, where he had worked with Bart Evans. We became longtime partners in a horse training operation and wouldn’t you know it—he also married my daughter Stacey!

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What does Eldorado mean to you?

Eldorado has always been a very family-oriented place, and that has meant everything to us. All six of my kids played polo and now many of my grandchildren play. I love watching all their games.

What’s your fondest memory from the club?

The year 1985 when we finally won the Governor’s Cup with myself, my daughter Stacey, my son Craig and Jimmy Gilstrap. There were 35 teams and we had been trying to win it for years, so that was a very special moment. Also the year that my son-in-law and three grandchildren Nicolai, Carlitos and Brianna, played in the 8 Goal league and won almost every tournament. We were very proud grandparents!

POLO HEYDAY ALEX JACOY

T

he Cantina. Sunday Polo. Celebrity Charity events. The Skins.

Behind most all Eldorado traditions is Alex Jacoy.

Alex came to Eldorado in 1979, in partnership with the Emery family from Spokane. He was assistant manager to Tony Veen for 2 seasons before taking club management over full stop and within a few years, polo flourished in the desert. Thanks partly to the success of the L.A. Equestrian Center, players were flocking to the desert in droves. And Alex had a place for them.

But standing in a tack room organizing 30+ polo teams, Alex realized this was not a one-person job and he made the excellent decision to bring in Susan Stovall—a female powerhouse polo manager who understood the club’s needs. They organized a lease from Empire Polo Club and Al Haagen, and the clubs functioned as one for 13 years.

Together, Jacoy and Stovall witnessed a polo heyday: “Suddenly we had 42 teams in the Governor’s Cup, three U.S. Open Championships and a Prince coming to visit! It was amazing,” remembers Jacoy. Not anyone can

manage a club the way Jacoy and Stovall did: “The Eldorado difference was that the club was run by polo players. We understood and took great care of our players’ needs. From grooms to ponies to babysitters, we were there to answer the call. This put us over the top.”

One lasting tradition from Jacoy’s career is the annual Skins game.

Having witnessed the popularity of the Skins golf tournament at PGA, Alex transitioned the format to fit polo, and it was a wild success.

Under the guidance of Jacoy, the original Cantina was also built. Inspired by a visit to the Ratoma Polo Club, Jacoy poured a cement slab, set up a few beams and a surrounding net to “see if it would fly.” After a year of success, the Cantina became a permanent structure with walls and a bar, serving refreshments and peanuts. Next came the kitchen and bathrooms.

The original Cantina structure burned down, and was rebuilt in 2011 under the direction of the President of the Board of Directors, Mike Ward.

The Cantina survives as a desert institution—a place that brings polo people together at Eldorado.

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ELDORADO: ANNIVERSARY

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ROSÉ ALL DAY! special advertising section

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omplete your Sunday polo experience with a taste of perfection.

Whispering Angel rosé, the sparkle in the eye of its creator Sacha Lichine and one of the jewels from France’s Château d’Esclans winery, encapsulates all that we love about California polo days in the sun.

Growing up surrounded by vineyards in France’s Bordeaux region, Lichine spent summers in his youth on his father’s estate, Château Prieuré-Lichine, where he not only learned how to enjoy red, white, and rosé, he also developed a discerning palate for quality and refinement.

Producing its 10th vintage in 2016, this beautiful rosé is one of the most popular wines on the market and has become a favorite among the social elite. In fact, it is considered one of the best rosés in the world with its crisp and refreshing flavor and sweet fragrance—a comingling of strawberry, raspberry, and peach.

His first experience drinking wine was with his father and then-stepmother, Hollywood actress Arlene Dahl—mother to Lorenzo Lamas. They traveled to Monte Carlo during Lichine’s summer vacations, where he drank rosé on the yacht of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace Kelly.

And while Whispering Angel is now celebrating its 10th anniversary as a premier French wine produced in the heart of Provence, its road to success came with a lot of hard work and unwavering determination from Sacha Lichine.

www.eldoradopoloclub.com

For enophiles around the world, Lichine is considered something of a wunderkind hailing from one of the most prestigious wine families in Europe. His father was author, importer, and château owner Alexis Lichine, who has been credited with introducing fine French wine to American palates and helping to shape the future of wine sales on the continent.

While in college, he took his love of wine a step further and became a sommelier at Anthony’s Pier 4 in Boston, Massachusetts, which led the way for Lichine to become a wine guide to wealthy connoisseurs before inheriting Château Prieuré-Lichine in 1989.

It could be said his future was laid out before him—owner of a prestigious and reputable estate, one of the most recognizable names in the world of wine, and the man behind an established winery known for producing some of the finest grapes in Bordeaux. But Lichine abandoned the shackles of family tradition and struck out on his own. Selling the estate in 1999, he was determined to create his own future when he found Château d’Esclans in 2006—a 667-acre, 13th-century vineyard featuring Cinsaut and Grenache vines. He hired

former famed Château Mouton Rothschild winemaker Patrick Leon and the duo are now credited with creating Whispering Angel.

Whispering Angel is one of four rosés produced

by Château d’Esclans. Others include Rock Angel, Les Clans, and Garrus. The Garrus is the highest rated rosé in the world by wine experts and produced from 100-year old vines. The largest produced and least expensive rosé in the collection, Whispering Angel, is a blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsaut, Syrah and Mourvèdre

grapes grown at the estate’s vineyards and from local growers. It has facetiously been referred to as “the energy drink of the Hamptons” and is a favorite among celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Andy Cohen, and David Beckham.

Over the past 10 years, Lichine has turned Whispering Angel into an American success story. Bottles of the storied wine can be found everywhere from Hollywood events; to food and wine festivals from New York to Aspen; to popular polo and equestrian locales such as the Greenwich Polo Club and the Hampton Classic. Whispering Angel can also now be found at The Cantina at the Eldorado Polo Club and in the Club House on Sundays.

Order a bottle and share in the taste of this unique all-day rosé at your next polo match.

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JACKSON JACKSON JACKSON HOLE HOLE HOLE H OHROS HREOSR EES MEEPMO EPR MOIPU ROM IU RM IUM

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Celebrating four generations of bringing our family to yours through our common passion

Thank you ELDORADO POLO CLUB for 60 years of memories We all look forwards to many more!

Thank you from Bill Gilmore, Mack and Madelyn Jason, Lyn, Herschel, Madelyn and Ty Cobb

ELDORADO: PROFILES

J

ennifer Luttrell took to polo during her undergraduate studies at Colorado State. Her enthusiasm for the sport turned into an addiction and shortly after graduation she found herself playing on a 4 Goal team at Eldorado.

Meanwhile in Argentina, Francisco Benardoni was riding horses, working cattle and learning polo alongside gauchos at a local Estancia.

His passion for polo brought him to the U.S., and eventually to the California desert.

Now married, Jennifer and Francisco dedicate their lives to each other, polo and their string of ponies. At their farm in Idaho, they have been busy building fields, barns and a lodge so they may host summer polo visits. “We want to share our Idaho home with our extended polo family. The idea is to play great polo with fun people, in a beautiful part of the country where there are a lot of other fun things to do. Just one phone call and we can organize a visit and take care of all the necessities.”

The couple makes Eldorado their second home. Francisco suggests that “Eldorado is a place where you can have a fun game that is also very competitive. There are amazing fields with perfect weather all season long. Graham Bray is also a great polo manager.”

For these year-round players, polo is a shared personal as well as family commitment that, like all responsibility, comes with challenges.

“The horses are a 24 hour-a-day, 365 day-a-year commitment, so it’s important that we share the same interest and love of everything surrounding it. It’s been fun playing together, but not always easy; however, we always leave our disagreements on the polo field.”

The polo field is also the place where this couple experience their greatest rewards. Jenny will never forget winning her first bronze in 2007, or being honored with the Most Improved Player and Ronai White Most Dedicated Sponsor awards. For Francisco, one of his fondest polo memories is playing with Jenny at Eldorado in 2015: “We won almost every 6 Goal tournament. It was amazing to win together with Jenny and our team.”

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ELDORADO: PROFILES

P

FAMILY-STYLE

olo is a passion project for the Kyle family. Each weekend, Virgil, Kristin, Quinn and Ella Kyle enthusiastically travel to Eldorado for days full of Junior Polo, tournament games, team meetings, tailgating, and Cantina gatherings. Keeping up with the Kyles is a challenge— but spotting them around the club is easy! Look for a bright orange tent, kids in Bush League team gear and a buggy overloaded with people, equipment, and a friendly Mastiff named Jakey.

How did the Bush League Polo Team come to be?

Virgil: My business partner, Ryan Robertson, and I were looking for something more entertaining than golf so we took up polo in February 2013. That fall, I was driving home from work thinking about our preparations for the upcoming desert season. My task list was long, and I largely had no idea what I was doing. Throughout the year, I had taken note of some amazing polo operations, like the remarkable high-goal teams in Florida. And closer to home in California, the well-organized teams with legendary players and fantastic livestock: Antelope, Northern Blizzard, Hanelei Bay, Cotterel Farms, and Twin Palms to name a few. In comparison, I felt I may have a “Minor League” team, and so the Bush League team name came about. My team coowner Ryan agreed to it and we decided to embrace the fun of the title!

What is your most memorable game or win?

Virgil: Bush League has not been overwhelmingly successful in the ‘win’ category, but we do get high marks for enthusiasm, effort and education. This early in our polo careers, we are learning from our mistakes more often than recounting victories. I tend to obsess over the losses—always trying to figure out how to play to my potential. In 2015, we played a strong game against the impressive Cotterel Farms 6 Goal team. We went into overtime and I saw my chance to win it all! And then I missed the ball in front of goal. That hurts. In last year’s Governors Cup Final against Northern Blizzard, I fouled and gave away a crucial goal in the last chukker. It was painful! I have lots of happy memories too. Like playing against a great friend in a 6 Goal final in February 2015. She is a far better rider and polo player than I am, so I just tried to keep up. We had great fun marking one another; I have very fond memories of that game and our battle.

How did polo become a family operation?

Virgil: My Dad has been a horseman most of his life. He even taught me to sit on one! Myself, Krissy and the kids have always been fond of horses. We started riding around our home and my son fell in love. Then my daughter rode and it made her happy and confident. Polo snowballed very soon after, and has become a unifying force for our family. It keeps us close even in the off-season. Tournament season can be challenging with us traveling to and from the desert, but it is also the best time because we are always together.

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Who are your polo mentors?

Quinn: Every pro has been helpful and kind to me. Ulysses Escapite is always teaching me to become a better rider and polo player. I have been lucky to take a few lessons from Mariano Fasseta and Joe Henderson who I admire.

Graham Bray has been very encouraging and I look up to his son Jesse—he wants to be better than his Dad and so do I. Ella: My dad always encourages me to play hard and have fun. In lessons with Megan Kozminski, I became a better rider and more comfortable playing polo. I love Ulysses because he makes my pony perfect and makes sure that I feel safe.

Who is your favorite pony and why?

Quinn: Sven—he’s young, he’s fast and I’ve learned how to school him if I need to.

Ella: Biggie! He always takes good care of me even when I get frustrated, and I love to feed him carrots.

What do you love most about polo?

What life experience has polo brought to your family?

Kristin: Oh the places you'll go! Polo travel has taken us to many places near and far—from Indio, San Diego, Santa Barbara and the Pacific Northwest, to Mexico and Argentina. Every location has offered amazing experiences and the kindest, most welcoming people. Seeing and exploring new places while enjoying a sport that you love has provided memories that will last a lifetime.

We feel fortunate to be able to provide these experiences to our children, and hopefully along the way we are instilling in them a solid work ethic and understanding of what it takes to play this sport.

Quinn: I love the excitement and speed of the game. More than anything though, I love the horses.

Ella: I love to play with my friends. The games are challenging and exciting and scoring a goal feels great! I think its cool that girls can compete against boys in polo—I like watching our friends Jennifer Alexy and Mia Bray play hard against the boys.

LA QUINTA & PALM SPRING S

What keeps your family excited about polo?

Kristin: Polo is a passion project. It involves endless travel, early mornings and long days. We do it because we love it—it keeps our family together and creates a childhood unplugged. This will be our fourth season at Eldorado and every year is better than the last. Pros and their families, other sponsors and players, and the fantastic members of our team have become an extended family to us. I love watching the Eldorado “kid crew” running around all weekend, knowing they can get into just enough trouble to keep things fun and interesting, in a club environment that is safe and contained. Everyone looks out for and looks after each other at Eldorado, and we are so grateful for the kindness and encouragement that has been given to our family.

When did you start playing polo?

Quinn (10 years old): A little over 4 years ago I started taking lessons in the arena. I have played in the Eldorado junior program for the last 3 years, and last year I was invited to play in the advanced group.

Ella (8 years old): About 2 years ago I woke up one Saturday morning and decided I wanted to play in the walk-trot games and I haven’t stopped since.

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ELDORADO: PROFILES

ANTELOPE POLO

Kim Kumpart Photography

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or 36 years, polo has been one of Geoff Palmer’s passions—one that he now shares with his son.

Polo brings the Palmer family to the Eldorado Polo Club every winter season. Geoff and son Grant can be found competing on the Antelope Polo Team, named after the location of their first family residence in Beverly Hills.

Geoff has many fond memories of his own success in the sport: winning the 20 Goal Pacific Coast Open in 2004 and the 15 Goal Open in Saint-Tropez this past July. But for Geoff, polo is as much about family as it is about victory: “Having Grant involved in polo is a great bond for the whole family. We always rally for his games.”

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The Palmers won’t be the only ones rallying for games this winter— Grant is the one to watch in 2017! Having started polo at the age of 4, he has risen through the ranks of junior and low-goal polo to graduate to the 8 Goal league. At the age of 14, Grant will be one of the youngest players to play on Field 1 this season.

Grant credits his dad for mentoring him in polo, as well as professional players Santiago Trotz and Caroline Anier. He loves the competitive nature of the sport and the horses. His favorite pony is a paint named Cherokee that used to belong to his dad. Look for Grant and Cherokee running to goal in the 3rd chukker of Antelope 8 Goal games this season!

Hacienda de Trampas Specializing in low water consumption plant material, we have a wide variety of specimen trees, including acacias, ironwood and palo verde that are ideally suited to landscaping

projects of any scale. In addition to dozens of citrus varieties, we have palms, yuccas, smoke trees and ocotillo that provide that distinctive desert character and charm.

Wholesale, retail or individual sales welcome. Contact us at: (760) 578-2742 Located on Jackson at 82-501 Avenue 65, Thermal, CA www.trampastrees.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELDORADO ON YOUR DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY!

THANK YOU FOR 28 YEARS OF FAMILY POLO MEMORIES. - THE URETZ FAMILY

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POLO STYLE

Field-side Style

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hane Baum is the Founder and Designer of Baum Vision and luxury eyewear brand, Leisure Society. He is a member of the exclusive Council of Fashion Designers of America whose peers include Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and more. Inspired by international travel and sporting adventure, he is currently working on an eyewear sportsman series for polo, car racing, fly fishing, shooting and golf. Leisure Society has sponsored events, tournaments and tailgates at the Eldorado, Empire and San Diego Polo Clubs. Here Shane provides his insight into men’s polo style, from his experience as player, spectator and polo ambassador.

The first polo match I ever attended was on Easter Sunday at Eldorado.

I wasn’t a player at the time but my little girls were obsessed with horses and it seemed like a great opportunity to get dressed up, keep them interested all day, and maybe enjoy a glass of Champagne or two.

Since then, I have learned a lot about field-side style from watching and playing polo all over world. My fashion publicist and stylish fiancé, Erin MacAlpine, also keeps my style in check whether I like it or not. For all men attending a polo match, I share the following advice: • Look smart without becoming a caricature. Pork pie straw hats and loud bow ties are for the fraternity set. Invest in a quality light-colored 2- or 3-button sport coat that has a thin lapel and light inner lining to beat the heat. Seersucker in blue or coral is quintessential. Lighter tones of blue or blue plaids also look exceptional. A well-pressed pocket square complements the look and it’s fun to be clever with the color of such maybe match the face of your watch or something subtle…

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• Pants should lay flat in front, straight legged or slightly tapered, no cuff and shorter than usual to accentuate your shoes and exude warm weather comfort. Khaki, light blue, light grey, coral or white are recommended. Shorts are an adventurous option to be worn only if you’ve just spent a week in the sun and have an exceptional tan—no one wants to see your white, hairy legs…

• For shoes, loafers or driving shoes with a traditional horse bit adornment are ideal, Prince Edwards or boat shoes can work too. Invest in a good, classic leather pair. Gucci, Loro Piana, Berlutti or Mezlan all make good options.

• My favorite shirt is a nice custom tone-on-tone monogrammed white or light blue linen shirt—my pal Mark Pomerantz makes the best ones I’ve ever worn.

• And the accessory you must not go without: sunglasses. I don’t leave home without the Leisure Society Èze frame– the limited production run of these handmade glasses ensures your originality and high fashion field-side.

• If you are planning to sport the definitive ‘polo player’ look—white jeans and a numbered jersey – don’t fake it! Get your butt on the back of a horse in the Eldorado Polo Academy (10am lessons on weekends) and get some saddle leather and sweat stains on your ‘whites.’ This gives you credibility at a tailgate gathering and might even get you invited to an amazing after-polo asado back at the barns.

Most importantly, relax and enjoy your amazing days at polo with friends and family. Dirty whites or not, Eldorado welcomes us all.

All things good, Shane Baum

FILM & STILL

PHOTOGRAPHY/ PRODUCTION VictoriaMcFadyen.com

Corporate Documentary Equestrian Advertising Events

Polo Style

In Season Pass the polo player please! Cast from pure pewter, these polo player salt and pepper shakers are a fabulous collectible accessory for your next dinner party or tailgate luncheon. chisholmgallery.com

Light Up

Bring Equestrian sophistication to your home with a late 18th century Bouillotte lamp depicting horses in the countryside. This charming, one-ofa-kind lamp measures 18 1/2” tall and can only be found at Phyllis Washington Antiques – Maison Felice, on El Paseo in Palm Desert. maisonfelice.com

Toast is Served Elegant Essentials Elevate your next polo tailgate with this dazzling pair of crystal wine coolers. Available at Phyllis Washington Antiques – Maison Felice, on El Paseo in Palm Desert. maisonfelice.com

Add a touch of polo to breakfast time! Enjoy hot toast dripping with butter served up on a polo-inspired toast rack—complete with an interlocking polo mallet centerpiece. chisholmgallery.com

Pony Throw This exquisite blanket doubles as a perfect throw for home or a gorgeous wrap for an evening out. Luxurious, jacquard-loomed 100% baby alpaca makes for soft warmth.

Available in gold/ecru or charcoal/ecru. stickandballco.com

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Don’t miss this exciting 9.67 acre parcel available in the gated Deer Creek Equestrian community in Vista Santa Rosa.

The property includes 3 large Bermuda grass pastures, 17 horse stalls, a riding arena, 2 out-buildings with electricity and bathrooms, 2007 domestic well, automatic landscape irrigation and dust control. Ownership includes use of over 25 acres of adjacent community land, including a polo field and exercise track.

For more information please call (760) 861-2873 | 84-210 Lovely Sage, Vista Santa Rosa, CA

Polo Style Diva blouse

David Cline polyester/rayon blouses and tops are perfect for a day at the polo fields.

Divot stomp in style in a vibrant print with crystal embellishments – made in the USA and available at Divas of the Desert in Old Towne La Quinta. divasofthedesert.com

Leisure Society The world's finest crafted eyewear comes from Leisure Society. Seen here, the St. Jean limited edition from the Plein Soleil collection features gold-plated titanium and matching mirror lenses plated in 24k gold. The Èze, named after the medieval village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in the Cote d'Azur, boasts a brushed antique silver finish with a Navy matte front and a removable brow bar. leisure-society.com

Mallet envy Let your jewelry say I love polo with this gorgeous yellow brass mallet bracelet. The unique dual ‘cigar’ design makes for a great, stackable bracelet with other silver, gold, copper or leather pieces. stickandballco.com

Necessary Accessory This handmade leather Indio crossbody purse by Stick & Ball Co. takes you from Brunch in the Clubhouse to an evening at the Cantina. It’s roomy enough to keep all your essentials, and features high-quality hardware and removable strap. Look for it in Navy, Palomino or Tobacco shades at stickandballco.com.

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Lucchese Bootmaker Riley is an equestrian-inspired classic, seen here in Dark Brown Royal Calf.

This regal riding boot is handmade in Texas and features an asymmetrical top with signature mirrored-L hardware.

Additional colors available at lucchese.com

Polo Style for Pooches Embroidered Argentine-style dog collars are all the rage for polo pooches. Hand crafted with bridle leather and striking stitched patterns, you can also purchase yourself a matching Argentine belt! Available in a variety of colors and sizes at Jackson Hole Horse Emporium. jhhe.com

Casablanca NV Helmet The NV helmet is the lightest and most comfortable helmet available, offering Carbon Fibre, Intelligent Shock Absorption Material, and a removable headband.

Available at Jackson Hole Horse Emporium. jhhe.com

Kim Kumpart Photography

Good luck to all teams at

ELDORADO POLO CLUB 58

IN 2017 From the Antelope Polo Team and Grant Palmer

www.eldoradopoloclub.com

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Pure Amici Pure Amici Pure Amici

O R A D O HA D L Give us a call we’ll squeeze you in.

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ELDORADO: GALLERY

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POLO GALLERY

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1. Dina and Joseph Stuart, Norma Sacomani and Kaitlyn Stuart; 2. Mike Estrada and Ulysses Escapite Jr.; 3. Announcer Tony Gregg; 4. Katy Judd Biddle with Chelsea and Josh Van Es; 5. Dani, Charles and Jared Sheldon with Darci Van Meter; 6. Ann and Kirstin Sather; 7. Violeta Escapite and Graham Bray; 8. Anita, Santi and Emilia Wulff; 9. Dayelle Fargey, Kendall Plank, Abby Riggs with the Plank family; 10. The Trotz and Wulff families

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1. Ivor Gould with Erica Steinke; 2. Santi Trotz at Junior Polo; 3. Sydney Jordan and Hope Kerley in the Groom’s Race; 4. Malia McCoy, Brian Vatcher and Katy Judd Biddle at the Eldorado Magazine Event; 5. Glen and Gloria Holden, Danny Scheraga, Jan Ray and Dick Shalhoub; 6. Sally Logan, LJ and Cindy Stogsdill; 7. Kerri Kerley and Fred P. Mannix; 8. Mike and January Ward with Claudia and Mike Uretz

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ELDORADO: GALLERY

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1. Grant and Geoff Palmer; 2. Alex Green, Roisin O'Brien and Alvaro Tadeo; 3. Deb Vermoch of Pheasant Hollow Polo; 4. Melody Thomas and Dani Sheldon; 5. Noel and Remy Muller with Graham Bray; 6. Future polo player Ivor Gould; 7. Umpires Bradley Biddle and Ka'aina DeCorte; 8. Matias and Ashton Wolf at Junior Polo; 9. Luis Galdon and George Hart in the Groom’s Race

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1. Madison Polo Team in the Skins final; 2. Tommy Steinke in the Fish Creek Junior Tournament; 3. Dayelle Fargey in the Women’s tournament; 4. Sydney Jordan runs the flag at Sunday Polo; 5. Gaston von Wernich and Jennifer Alexy celebrate their Skins win; 6. Steve Pollack with Alfredo and Rigoberto at the Groom's Race; 7. Lyn Cobb, Madelyn Cobb and Peter Blake; 8. Mike Kerley coaches son Ryan in Junior Polo

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The Ronai White TheTheRonai Sponsor Dedication RonaiWhite White Sponsor SponsorDedication Dedication

2011 marked the commencement

2011 theWhite commencement of themarked The Ronai Sponsor ofDedication the The Ronai Sponsor 2011 marked theWhite commencement Trophy.

Dedication Trophy. of the The Ronai White Sponsor This award will be given annually

Dedication Trophy. to one sponsor whogiven has annually This award will be outstanding leadership, toexhibited one sponsor who has

commitment, and This awardoutstanding willsportsmanship be given annually exhibited leadership, exemplary performance in the sportsmanship to commitment, one sponsor who has and sport of polo. exemplary performance in the exhibited outstanding leadership, sport of polo. commitment, sportsmanship and exemplary performance in the sport of polo.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES FROM INTERMOUNTAIN REALTY FROM GREG SACKOS, LOYAL SUPPORTER OF ELDORADO POLO CLUB

SPECTACULAR ESTATE HOME, NORTHEAST OREGON Imagine over 400 acres of gently timbered terrain at the base of the sprawling Blue Mountains in Northeast Oregon. The ranch is improved with a 10,000 sq. foot custom timber-framed home that has beautiful natural wood finishes together with Leeds energy efficiency and construction, massive windows and much more. This ranch has abundant wildlife, fresh water, timber, fresh mountain air and privacy, yet good proximity to small towns, skiing and shopping. Ranch is well improved with outbuildings, barns and an excellent network of roads through the managed timber. A must see, great retreat and first time offering at $5,750,000. There are 2,000+ additional acres available. Call for details. https://vimeo.com/176324934

INCREDIBLE TIMBERED SETTING, NORTHEAST OREGON This 118-acre property combines mature timbered and irrigated pasture located at the base of the Elkhorn Mountains in Northeast Oregon. The property is improved with a very attractive custom ranch style home situated with a complete wrap-around deck that provides a 360-degree view of the mountains, valley, and small lake in front of the main home.

The ranch is improved with a caretaker’s home, guest quarters, small shop and barn, RV storage, backup generator building and more. The park like setting also has a BBQ area for private gatherings in the forest, where you will encounter a resident population of elk, white tail deer, turkey, grouse and waterfowl. Truly one of a kind, first time offering at $1,250,000.

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DINING GUIDE

After Polo

D

ine at Bellatrix for unbeatable Mediterranean-inspired dining and décor set against an unforgettable desert panorama.

Classically trained Chef Gerard Brunett defines his cuisine as American Continental with a touch of Asian and Mediterranean influence, along with traditional fine-dining steak and seafood fare.

Extensive wines complement the menu with an array of California Chardonnays, Pinots and Cabernets from great vintners to elegant boutique wineries. A full selection of specialty cocktails and beers are also available, as well as an appetizing bar menu. With a commanding view of the Classic Club’s 400-acre Arnold Palmer-designed golf course and the Little San Bernardino Mountains beyond, Bellatrix Restaurant offers breathtaking vistas from the second floor of the Mediterraneanstyle clubhouse.

75-200 Classic Club Blvd, Palm Desert Located just off the 10 East at Cook Street 760.601.3690 classicclubgolf.com/bellatrix/

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L

G’s Prime Steakhouse, with elegant locations in both Palm Springs and La Quinta, offers unforgettable dining experiences in the desert. Why prime, you ask? It’s simple: Prime is the very best. Prime is the highest grade given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. LG’s Prime steaks have the necessary marbling to deliver that great taste and texture that gives guests a remarkable steak-eating experience. There is no better tasting steak than a USDA Prime steak prepared the way LG’s does it. The wine list at LG's Prime Steakhouse offers more than 350 selections, making it one of the largest of any steakhouse in the Coachella valley. With well over 100 Napa Valley Cabernets to choose from, you will always find the perfect bottle of wine to accompany your world-class steak.

78-525 Highway 111, La Quinta 760.771.9911 255 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 760.416.1779 lgsprimesteakhouse.com

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hether savoring a Las Casuelas Margarita by the fire on the cozy outdoor Palapa Patio or enjoying the sound of the live entertainment in the Cantina, you’re sure to feel tradition bridged with creativity. The Quinta kitchen serves many local favorites, including chimichangas, sizzling fajitas and tostada supremas along with some new and already popular, smoked jalapeno baby back ribs and BBQ grilled chicken flautas. Las Casuelas Quinta opens daily at 10:30am, and low carb and childrens menus are also available.

Reservations are recommended. Join the fiesta!

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n the luxury boutique hotel, The Chateau at Lake La Quinta, visit Mélange for the only lakeside dining in the greater Palm Springs area. Mélange offers exquisitely prepared food using only the finest ingredients procured from small California family farms. Classic dishes are prepared with contemporary flair with light and flavorful sauces infused with fresh herbs, grown in the herb garden at the Chateau. Mélange offers modern cuisine for those who enjoy eating and living well. Bon appétit!

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ome for the polo, stay for the food! The Cantina is the most exciting destination for polo lovers in the desert offering family-friendly food in a casual, comfortable atmosphere. Spend an afternoon watching the sunset on the heated field-side patio and enjoy an up-close view of incredible polo games. Drop by for dancing and live entertainment after polo each Sunday! The Cantina is open Tuesday through Sunday, and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks under the new management of Best Beverage Catering. The staff welcomes everyone to come see why polo players call The Cantina home!

THE CANTINA 78480 Hwy 111, La Quinta On the corner of Washington and Hwy 111 760.777.7715 lascasuelasquinta.com

78-120 Caleo Bay, La Quinta Off 48th Avenue between Washington and Adams Street 888.226.4546 thechateaulakelaquinta.com

Eldorado Polo Club 50950b Madison Street, Indio 760.775.3336

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GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS

Kaylee Wroe Photography

AT ELDORADO POLO CLUB IN 2017

BECAUSE THE SEASON IS TOO SHORT TO PLAY WITH BROKEN MALLETS CUSTOM MALLETS SALES | REPAIRS PABLO MEDINA | EMAIL: medinapablo49@yahoo.com PHONE: 760.775.6315 | CELL: 760.501.9804

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ELDORADO POLO CLUB ON 60 YEARS IN THE DESERT

GALINDO & LEARY RANCH Training and raising fine polo horses. Full stabling and pasture rentals available.

86025 62nd Ave Thermal, Ca 92274 | 760-399-5277 | Contact us for more information.

polowife64@gmail.com

In Loving Memory of Danny Horn

In celebration of the life of Danavon Horn, Jr., a beloved son and brother. Danny’s family and friends celebrate his legacy as a joyous young man, who loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest.

The Eldorado Polo Club played a large role in Danny’s life from a very young age.

He loved and cherished the time that he spent there and it shaped him into the enthusiastic player and sportsman that he was.

Much appreciation is extended from the Horns to their polo friends and family who have shown great support and compassion.

If there are polo ponies in Heaven, Danny – we know you will enjoy them.

With love, Dan, Kim & Lauren Horn Coleen Call, Kristina & Andrei Faji, Derek & Elise Grindle

ELDORADO: CLUB HOUSE

SHARE IN THE EXCITEMENT! You don’t have to be galloping on the field to share in the excitement of Eldorado Polo Club!

Eldorado Clubhouse & Sunday Polo Eldorado Polo Club has been the heart of polo in the desert for 60 years.

Experience world-class polo at the Clubhouse Field on Sundays at 12pm & 2pm. You can tailgate, enjoy the match from the grandstand or make a reservation in our Clubhouse restaurant.

Food and beverage are readily available and Announcer Tony Gregg provides commentary to keep you in the game!

Partnership Opportunities Opportunities for corporate sponsorship include signage, tournament naming rights, product displays, halftime entertainment, VIP packages or automobile shows … the possibilities are endless!

Special Events Incorporate polo into your next family, corporate, or charity event. Eldorado Polo Club facilities are available for special events, and we accommodate groups of any size. The Clubhouse and Lake are perfect for weddings, parties, and corporate events. For more casual occasions, the Cantina provides a great relaxed atmosphere.

For more information on Sunday Polo, Special Events or Partnership Opportunities, contact James a’Court at (760) 831-9696.

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GDILL3111@GMAIL.COM

ELDORADO: TOURNAMENTS 2016 WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

MACK & MADELYN JASON MEMORIAL (7 GOAL) WINNER, M3 Polo: Madelyn Cobb, Peter Blake, Jared Sheldon, Alonso Cruz Andrade MVP: Jared Sheldon BEST PONY: Geisha, Owned and played by Peter Blake

WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

COACHELLA VALLEY CUP (12 GOAL) WINNER, Twin Palms: Chris Maloney, Santiago Wulff, Graham Bray, Remy Muller MVP: Chris Maloney BEST PONY: Parka, Owned and played by Santiago Wulff

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OPENING DAY TOURNAMENT

WORLD GYM TOURNAMENT (4 GOAL)

WINNER, Antelope: Santiago Trotz, Geoff Palmer, Felipe Vercellino, Chad Bowman

WINNER, Pheasant Hollow: Deb Vermoch, Patrick Uretz, Rhett Merrill, Tim Rudy MVP: Patrick Uretz

www.eldoradopoloclub.com

WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

COACHELLA VALLEY CUP (7 GOAL) WINNER, Domrey: Champ Roth, Dayelle Fargey, Doug Blumenthal, Joseph Stuart MVP: Champ Roth BEST PONY: Doctora, Owned and played by Joseph Stuart

WINNER

MVP

MVS

BEST PONY

CARLTON & KELEEN BEAL MEMORIAL (12 GOAL) WINNER, Twin Palms: Remy Muller, Santiago Wulff, Graham Bray, Chris Maloney MVP: Graham Bray MVS: Geoff Palmer BEST PONY: Rubio, Owned and played by Santiago Wulff

PRO POOL JANUARY BRONZES

ELDORADO CUP

WINNER, Leisure Society: Carol Hempker, Shane Baum, Max Menini, Jacob Pechenik

WINNER, Northern Blizzard: John Rooney, Dayelle Fargey, Jim Wright, Joe Henderson BEST PONY: Sasha, Owned and played by Jared Sheldon

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ELDORADO: TOURNAMENTS 2016 WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

FISH CREEK CUP (7 GOAL) WINNER, Northern Blizzard: Jim Wright, Dayelle Fargey, John Rooney, Joe Henderson MVP: Dayelle Fargey BEST PONY: Virginia, Owned and played by Joe Henderson

WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

FISH CREEK CUP (12 GOAL) WINNER, Twin Palms: Remy Muller, Graham Bray, Santiago Wulff, Chris Maloney MVP: Graham Bray BEST PONY: Dulce, Owned and played by Mariano Fassetta

WINNER

MVP

TRIONE VINEYARDS SENIORS WINNER, Santa Barbara: Leigh Breechen, Pat Nesbitt, Andrew Bossom, Jef Graham MVP: Craig Ramsby BEST PONY: Jackie, Owned and played by Leigh Breechen

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BEST PONY

WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

ELDORADO OPEN WCT QUALIFIER (WOMEN’S 16 GOAL) WINNER, Springbok: Kate Weber, Malia McCoy, Jennifer Alexy, Athena Malin MVP: Malia McCoy BEST PONY: Velvet, Owned and played by Caroline Anier

WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

WOMEN’S 10 GOAL WINNER, La Patrona: Jillian Tiejte, Claudia Uretz, Megan Judge, Jennifer Luttrell-Benardoni MVP: Jillian Tiejte BEST PONY: Arianna, Owned and played by Lynni Hutton

PRO POOL FEBRUARY BRONZES

CHOPIN CHALLENGE

MARCH 8 GOAL LEAGUE

WINNER, Pasadena Polo Club: Tom Sherman, Gale Derricott, David Carlson, Diego Cossio

WINNER, Chopin Vodka/Highwood: Ron Mathison, Chad Bowman, Mariano Fassetta, Marcelo Abbiati

WINNER, Northern Blizzard: John Rooney, Dayelle Fargey, Jim Wright, Joe Henderson

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ELDORADO: TOURNAMENTS 2016 WINNER

ALL-STARS

NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES WINNER, Eldorado: Rexy Vicardo, Cory Williams, Tom Costello, Jonathan Garnica ALL-STARS: Alonso Cruz Andrade, Cory Williams, Tom Costello, Bautista von Wernich, Rhandy Heredia, Joe Coors, Alexis Payan

WINNER

MVP

USPA PACIFIC COAST CIRCUIT GOVERNOR’S CUP WINNER, Northern Blizzard: John Rooney, Dayelle Fargey, Jim Wright, Joe Henderson MVP: Jim Wright BEST PONY: Brian, Owned and played by Joe Henderson

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MARCH 12 GOAL LEAGUE

PRO POOL MARCH BRONZES

WINNER, Twin Palms: Chris Maloney, Santiago Wulff, Graham Bray, Remy Muller

WINNER, Bush League: Susan Adams, Jacob Pechenik, Lamar Rutherford, Kim Foy, Max Menini

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BEST PONY

WINNER

MVP

BEST PONY

SKINS TOURNAMENT WINNER, Madison Club: Jennifer Alexy, Jared Sheldon, Joseph Stuart, Gaston von Wernich MVP: Jared Sheldon BEST PONY: SportsCenter, Owned and played by Jared Sheldon

ANNUAL AWARDS RONAI WHITE SPONSOR DEDICATION TROPHY

ALONZO ‘CHANGO’ GALINDO AWARD

ROBERT SKENE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD

WINNER: Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson

WINNER: Violeta Escapite

WINNER: Chris Maloney

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ELDORADO: JUNIOR POLO

JOE BARRY MEMORIAL

FISH CREEK TOURNAMENT

ARTIE CAMERON MEMORIAL

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ELDORADO: SCHEDULE 2017

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE DECEMBER 2016 10-11 Linfoot Polo Clinic 17 Club Chukkers begin Thursday, Saturday & Sunday

JANUARY 2017 8 7-29 6-15 7-15 20-29 21-29

Opening Day – Sunday Polo matches begin Pro Pool League (Every Saturday & Sunday) USPA Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup (4 Goal & 12 Goal) Mack & Madelyn Jason Memorial (8 Goal) Coachella Valley Cup (8 Goal & 12 Goal) World Gym Tournament (4 Goal)

FEBRUARY 2017 4-26 3-12 4-12 4-12 17-26

Pro Pool League (Every Saturday & Sunday) 12 Goal Tournament 8 Goal Tournament 4 Goal Tournament Fish Creek Cup (4 Goal, 8 Goal & 12 Goal)

MARCH 2017 4-26 3-26 4-26 26

Pro Pool League (Every Saturday & Sunday) USPA National Rossmore Cup Skins Tournament (12 Goal) USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Governor’s Cup (6 Goal) USPA National Rossmore Cup Skins Tournament FINAL USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Governor's Cup FINAL

APRIL 2017 1-2 Trione Vineyards Seniors Tournament 1-2 Eldorado Women’s Open WCT Qualifier

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ELDORADO: MAP

Avenue 50 & Madison Ave construction will be ongoing this season. For entry on Sundays, please access the club entrance at 50950 Madison Ave via AVENUE 52.

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ELDORADO: PLAYERS

PROUST & POLO

Deb Vermoch

Madelyn Cobb Team: M3 Polo

Team: Pheasant Hollow What is your idea of perfect polo happiness? Six amazing ponies, three true teammates, one finals tournament game won by one goal from the field! Which living polo players do you most admire? Memo Gracida. Which word(s) do you most overuse on the field? Sadly, an inappropriate word I prefer not to admit. Who is the greatest pony of your life? Teka, a NZ bred mare from Oakley Thorne. If you could change one thing about your game, what would it be? Anticipation.

What do you most value in your polo teammates? Team play, clean play. What do you consider your greatest polo achievement? Womens A flight win in Santa Barbara, 2014.

Who is the greatest pony of your life? Tina - a fiery chestnut who is a descendent of my grandfather’s polo operation. Without her, I would not be where I am in the sport. If you could change one thing about your game, what would it be? More horses that are like the best ones in my string which would allow me to raise my entire game. What do you most value in your polo teammates? Trust—knowing what to expect from your team allows you to play more confidently. What do you consider your greatest polo achievement? Winning the Governors Cup in 2013, my grandfather’s and greatgrandfather’s names are on that trophy and now mine is with them.

John Rooney

Jennifer Alexy

Team: Northern Blizzard

Team: Luna Polo

What is your idea of perfect polo happiness? A hard-fought competitive game with family and friends. Which living polo players do you most admire? Fred Mannix, Joe Henderson, Aly Rooney - each for different reasons.

Which word(s) do you most overuse on the field? “Get your f’ing man!”

- only used once, but to my wife. Who is the greatest pony of your life?

Replay. If you could change one thing about your game, what would it be?

More…everything. Time, games, horses. What do you most value in your polo teammates? Team work. A selfless polo player is the best teammate.

Who is the greatest pony of your life? Hugs, I feel like I need to retire when she retires. Which word(s) do you most overuse on the field?

Those are probably not fit to print! What do you most value in your polo teammates? A competitive spirit and the ability to also have fun!

What do you consider your greatest polo achievement? Winning two national championships at the University of Virginia and then winning the 2016 Skins tournament.

Chris Maloney Team: Twin Palms

What is your idea of perfect polo happiness? Playing with my dad, we shared amazing times on and off the field. Which living polo players do you most admire? Graham Bray, Joe Henderson and Santiago Trotz. These guys are a bit long in the tooth (like me!) but are very smart and tough.

Which word(s) do you most overuse on the field? I’m not a talker on the field, which Crowder has pointed out more than once. Who is the greatest pony of your life? Inflacion, a grey mare from Argentina who raised me by 2 goals in every chukker. What do you most value in your polo teammates? Trust. If you holler at me to leave the ball either you don’t trust me or I’m not having a good day. What do you consider your greatest polo achievement? Putting together a great team—the 2016 Twin Palms team was one of the best I’ve played with. It was an awesome season!

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