Seattle Polo Magazine

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Polo Fashion GETTING INTO THE GAME

WEST COAST POLO PARTIES

SUMMER 2019

SEATTLE POLO

YO U R L I N E Five of the world’s finest automobiles at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bellevue.

It is your call.

Phantom

Dawn

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bellevue 1882 136th Place NE #102, Bellevue, WA 98005 Tel: 425-646-3111 www.rollsroycebellevue.com Contact Brandon Park, Rolls-Royce Brand Manager

Ghost

Wraith

Cullinan

10

Welcome to Polo

14

The Picture-Perfect Afternoon

16

Tournaments & Events

17

Spectator Guide

20

Women’s Polo Style

24

Men’s Polo Style

28

Polo Parties: the Best in the West

36

Getting into the Game

38

Learn to Play

42

Society Pages

50

From the Ground Up

CONTENT

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

S E AT T L E P O L O PUBLISHER Cameron Smith

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Drew Dambreville

MANAGING EDITOR Megan Kozminski

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N RST Creatives

PHOTOGRAPHY

Horseplay Productions Salinas Holcomb, Photography by Salinas Andrew Towell, Troutstreaming Jessica Burnett, Seven of Hearts Photography

CONTRIBUTORS Drew Dambreville Megan Kozminski Jennifer Sims

Cameron Smith Renée Tadros

For advertising enquires contact drew@seattlepoloclub.com.

Printed in the U.S.A.

©2019 Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited.

Seattle Polo Magazine welcomes feedback from readers, email: cameron@seattlepoloclub.com.

StellaArtois.com | ENJOY RESPONSIBLY | © 2018 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A., Stella Artois® Beer, Imported by Import Brands Alliance, St. Louis, MO

Enjoy

a change of pace.

I

SEATTLE POLO Magazine

WELCOME TO POLO!

10

This year we are celebrating the

USPA Sportsmanship Cup at the end

release of the premiere issue of Seattle

of August.

Polo Magazine. Founding an annual polo publication – the first of its kind in

I am lucky to work with an outstanding

Washington – is a dream of mine, and

team of staff and club partners.

it’s an absolute thrill to make it a reality.

Drew Dambreville is the director of

Seattle Polo Magazine celebrates the

marketing, and the promotions and

finest things in the Pacific Northwest:

events manager for the club; his talent

the sport of polo, fashion trends,

for business development has been

luxury automobiles, fine jewelry, food,

integral to the growth of the Seattle

wine and so much more.

Polo Party and our social events. Our community partner for the 2019 Seattle

This polo season promises even more

Polo Party is Little Bit Therapeutic

electrifying polo action on our fields,

Riding Center, and we look forward

and bigger and better social events

to promoting their mission to provide

field-side. Our 2019 preseason social

horsemanship and riding programs for

events include the Kentucky Derby

children and adults with disabilities. In

party on May 4th hosted at the

2019, we also worked closely with RST

sensational W Hotel Bellevue and the

Creatives and Megan Kozminski to to

Seattle Polo Magazine launch party on

produce the successful premiere issue

May 23rd hosted by Neiman Marcus

of Seattle Polo Magazine that over

at the Bravern Shops in Bellevue.

10,000 readers will enjoy. And a thanks

The social event of the summer is

to our team of polo professionals,

the Seattle Polo Party on Saturday,

including Dan Juarez, Ernie Darquea

August

Rolls

and countless other grooms and the

Royce Motorcars of Bellevue. Dress to

ponies themselves, who all are an

impress for the amazing polo matches,

important part of our Seattle polo

VIP Lounge, fashion show, gourmet

family.

10th,

presented

by

cuisine, divot stomp and more! Of course, we have polo tournaments too with the Seattle Cup in July and the

The Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club invites you to join us for a first-class summer polo season

Most importantly, there would be no polo without the ongoing support of luxury sponsors like Rolls Royce Motorcars of Bellevue, Frederique Constant, ICON Aircraft, Engel & VĂślkers, Alvin Goldfarb, Compass Mark von der Burg, Neiman Marcus and so many more. Together we welcome all spectators, guests and players to enjoy the club, the Seattle Polo Magazine, and everything that the amazing polo lifestyle has to offer.

Here’s to a great season,

Cameron Smith President & Founder

LIVE YOUR

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

The Picture - Perfect Afternoon

The sidelines of a polo field are perfect for luxury tailgating. It’s about sharing the excitement of the polo match with your guests, and doing it in style with the pounding hooves of adrenalin-fueled polo just a few yards away.

The ideal viewing spot is near center field, or from an elevated berm. Define your field-side location with a pair of luxury automobiles and set up outdoor lounge furniture as the focal point. Elevate the experience with special attention to the details, from fresh flowers, pillows and equine-inspired dĂŠcor, to gourmet finger food, fine champagne and handmade signature cocktails.

The perfect tailgate welcomes the players from the field to an after-polo gathering of friends, both old and new, and maximizes every moment of the summer season at the Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club.

A luxury tailgate party is an unforgettable experience.

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club Tournaments & Event Schedule 2019 May 4

May 23

July 6 - 7

August 10

August 16 - 17

Kentucky Derby Party W Hotel Bellevue Seattle Polo Magazine Launch Party Neiman Marcus Bellevue Seattle Polo Cup Tournament

Seattle Polo Party presented by Rolls-Royce Bellevue Sportsmanship Cup Tournament United States Polo Association

Weekly club practice games take place every Thursday evening and club chukkers are scheduled for weekends throughout the summer season.

For more information visit seattlepoloclub.com

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

Women’s Personal style is key to any outfit, especially on the sidelines of the polo field. The uniform for all polo players is simply white denim and a polo shirt with riding boots and a unique leather belt. For spectators at a charity match or polo party, a chic maxi dress, shirt dress or kaftan with wedges or flats or white denim and a tunic with cowboy boots is great for her; top it off with your favorite sunglasses and a floppy straw hat. True polo style is casual, chic and unique!

Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn Owner / Creative Director, Stick & Ball

Noel Asmar Rue Dress, noelasmar.com Kooreloo 3D Woven Clutch Small Bag, neimanmarcus.com Palermo Soho Tote Bag, stickandball.com Jose + Maria Barrera Large Multicolor Stone Necklace, neimanmarcus.com Leisure Society Kepler Tisane Sunglasses in 18K Rose Gold, leisuresociety.com Sophia Webster Dina Crystal Flat Sandal, neimanmarcus.com Keith and James Queen Fedora, keithandjames.com

Images courtesy of Asmar Equestrian, Neiman Marcus, Stick and Ball, Keith and James, Leisure Society

Polo Style

Tucker Tweed Tryon Polo Bag, tuckertweed.com Margaret O’Leary Kimono Cardigan, Kelsie Top and Crop Sailor Pant, margaretoleary.com Noel Asmar Saffiano Belt Purse, noelasmar.com Kenneth Jay Lane Beaded Geometric Drop Earrings, neimanmarcus.com Chloé Camille Flatform Cork Sandal, neimanmarcus.com Turkish Cotton Bright Blue Scarf, stickandball.com Images courtesy of Margaret O’Leary, Stick and Ball, Neiman Marcus and Asmar Equestrian

THE SHOPS AT THE BRAVERN IN BELLEVUE 425.452.3300

THE ART OF LUXURY

INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW KLUTZNICK, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BRAVERN

SPEC M: Besides luxury brands, The Shops at The Bravern have restaurants and other amenities. In which way do they complement the luxury merchants?

What does luxury mean to you?

MK: Retail has evolved into a multi-dimensional experience. Providing food choices and amenities that reflect the high standards is required to complete the client journey at The Bravern.

Dining at John Howie Steak, The Dolar Shop or visiting Gene Juarez is as much a luxury experience as any of our traditional retail luxury brands.

What makes you a successful General Manager?

What would you tell the young generation starting out their career?

Don’t underestimate the value of relationships.

Everyone you meet is a future partner, employer or peer. Treat every interaction as a job interview, follow up and keep in touch.

Elegance, refinement, craftsmanship and a bit of indulgence.

Taking responsibility for the employee work experience. Understanding what each employee values and desires is my primary focus. To some employees, it’s a job and to others it’s a career.

Everyone’s expectations deserve to be met, if not exceeded. It’s my job to understand that and tailor my management style to each employee.

Mr. Klutznick holds a Business Administration degree from Columbia College and has managed world class retail assets for over 30 years. He also sits on the Board of Directors of several organizations.

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

Image courtesy of J. Hilburn

Men’s

Polo Style Polo style for men can be defined as classic British prep mixed with country wear. Think light colored -pants (light green, light blue, salmon, yellow or white) paired with a light-colored sports jacket.

Shoes should be either an oxford or brogue style with either no socks or perhaps socks matching your pocket square. Argentinian or striped belts, straw hats and bow ties are also nice touch. If it is not a Sunday finals match, you can dress more polo casual, like you are headed to a barbeque at a ranch, and yes, cowboy boots totally work.

Shane Baum Founder & CEO, Leisure Society

Salvatore Ferragamo Men’s Calf/Ostrich Driver, neimanmarcus.com Salvatore Ferragamo Men’s Smooth Gancini Belt, neimanmarcus.com Keith and James King Fedora, keithandjames.com Stick & Ball Brown Croc Belt with Classic Sterling Buckle, stickandball.com Stick & Ball Linen Shirt in Sage Green, stickandball.com J. Hilburn Custom-Made Cotton Blend Seersucker Sport Coat, jhilburn.com Casablanca V-Neck Wool Silk Blend Sweater, casablancapolo.com Leisure Society Alta Tort Frames, plated in 12k Silver with tortoise acetate accent, leisuresociety.com Images courtesy of Casablanca Polo, Neiman Marcus, Stick & Ball, Keith and James, Leisure Society

EAT. SHOP. PLAY.

1101 OUTLET COLLECTION WAY AUBURN, WA 98001

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VEUVE CLICQUOT POLO CLASSIC

The Best in the West

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From Washington to Colorado to California, exciting lifestyle events that showcase polo are taking over the west. Here’s a glimpse at some of the best polo parties on the map in 2019.

Will Rogers Polo Club, California The 10th annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Los Angeles will return to Will Rogers Polo Club in the Pacific Palisades in October 2019. This is one of the most highlyanticipated and glamorous afternoons that champagne-lovers and polo spectators alike look forward to each year. Celebrities, players and polo fans experience the sport of polo first-hand, delight in an exciting day in the sun, and of course enjoy Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

seattlepoloparty.com

The Seattle Polo Party brings all the excitement of polo events in other parts of the country to Seattle. Experience the thunder of horses running full speed and the skill of players from around the world as they hit the ball down field. Dress to impress and be prepared for the social event of the summer. The party features a fashion show, ladies hat parade, divot stomp, and equestrian entertainment. Enjoy the VIP Lounge, a catered buffet lunch, vendor areas, yard games, and a beer and wine garden. After the matches, meet the players, watch the awards ceremony and dance the night away at the After Polo Party. This is truly an event you will not forget!

SEATTLE POLO PARTY

Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club, Washington Save the Date: Saturday, August 10th.

polofest.com

Denver Polo Club, Colorado On August 31st, 2019, PoloFest presents exhilarating polo, inspiring music and experiential entertainment to a broad audience of outdoor enthusiasts at the Denver Polo Club.

POLOFEST

Event founder and U.S. Open polo champion Robert Jornayvaz founded the festival in 2018, with proceeds from the event going to benefit the Equine Partnership program, a non-profit organization that uses horses as therapy for underprivileged children and adults.

Image courtesy of Polo Channel

Eldorado Polo Club, California With an average of 354 days of sunshine per year, Indio, California is a Mecca for winter polo. For decades the Eldorado Polo Club has hosted some of the most competitive polo in the U.S., with the pinnacle event of each season being the Skins Final at the end of March. The format of the ultimate polo match is: win a chukker, win $5,000. Tie a chukker and the money carries over to the next. At the end of the game, the team with the most goals wins the Skins Trophy and the team with the most checks, well they win the most money! In addition to adrenalin-filled polo throughout the day, there are sponsorship booths and huge tailgate parties, as well as Sunday brunch in the clubhouse, tons of activities for kids, and an epic champagne divot stomp.

Image by Kaylee Wroe

ELDO RAD O SKINS FINAL

eldoradopoloclub.com

PACIFIC C OAST OPEN

sbpolo.com

Pacific Coast Open Santa Barbara Polo Club, California Polo enthusiasts and party people travel from all around the world to take in the prestigious Silver Air Pacific Coast Open (PCO) tournament. The crown jewel of California polo, the striking silver and gold PCO trophy stands nearly five feet tall and dates back over a century. Complementing the exhilarating high goal polo set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean are divot stomps, celebrity sightings, and an after party featuring music, polo-inspired cuisine, and indulgent beverages from the fully stocked Airstream Bar Car. Find out why they call it “Polo in Paradise�

Image by David Lominska

The Life of an Adventure Flyer What It’s Like to Own an ICON A5 Unless you follow general aviation, you’re likely not yet familiar with ICON Aircraft. The Vacaville, CA based airplane manufacturer known for the amphibious light sport ICON A5 announced that the company’s first production model A5 (ASN-01) crossed its 1000th hour of flight time earlier this year. The company also reported its 100th airframe (ASN100) completed composite fabrication at the Company’s facility in Tijuana, Mexico and is headed to Vacaville for final assembly. This milestone marks ICON’s 100th production aircraft, which is no insignificant feat in an industry not known for mass production. With over thirty-five Service Partners in place, ICON is also making significant progress in developing a nationwide network of Service Centers and Flight Instructors to provide services and training to new owners throughout the U.S. The ICON A5 is the only aircraft certified by the FAA to have a spin-resistant airframe. Additional safety features on the aircraft include an angle of attack gauge and a full aircraft parachute. Not only has ICON expanded its production capabilities, but it is expanding its ownership community, as well. One of ICON’s most recent owners is Jack McCartt.

We caught up with Jack to understand what it’s like to be an owner of one of these innovative personal airplanes: Where did your journey begin as a pilot?

When the A5 was announced, I followed the development and knew that I would one day be an owner and pilot in the new airplane. The A5 just seemed to be the perfect airplane to enjoy my idea of sport flying.

I grew up on a lake managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Northeastern Tennessee, and have lived on or near water almost all my life. In fact, my two favorite activities are flying and boating. These two activities are very closely related--at least in my mind--and share the same type of adventures that I thrive on. In the early 1980’s, I moved to Florida because of the water activities and my love for the ocean.

Where do you fly? What adventures do you have planned?

My home is in Florida, which like the Pacific Northwest is really a perfect place to own a seaplane! There are lakes, bays and rivers that are remote and the only way to access are with a boat or a seaplane. I am planning a trip out West this summer and fully intend to take my A5 with me.

How do the features of the A5 add to your experience as an owner of multiple planes?

I own a 2018 Piper M350 that I use for business travel. This is an incredibly capable all-weather aircraft that is fun and comfortable to fly, in addition to being amazingly efficient. The views from the flight levels are beautiful and reminds me of all the places below that I want to explore. As I was flying over Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee at high altitude, I found myself looking at the lakes below, and thinking, “what a great place to go exploring.” I am now planning the same trip at a much lower altitude in the A5 for an exploring adventure.

What safety features initially appealed to you in the A5. Having now flown it as an owner, how have those features made flying more enjoyable?

The key safety features that come to mind are the aircraft’s ballistic parachute and the spin resistant design. But the most important feature to me is the handling qualities of the aircraft in the air and on the water. After my initial training, I can pretty much put the airplane anywhere I want on the water, in the air, or on the ground. It is such a pleasure to fly and the simplicity of the aircraft allow me to focus on the outside of the aircraft making control almost effortless.

What was it like touching down on the water in an airplane for the first time?

I was an early deposit holder for the A5, so I knew that I wanted to get my seaplane rating. I decided to do my training before the aircraft was delivered so that I would be ready to start exploring when the aircraft arrived. My first touchdown on water combined the sensation of flying and boating together. To my amazement, some of the smoothest landings that I have made in my forty-five years of flying have been my most recent water landings in the A5. There’s no way that this experience will not bring a smile to your face.

ICON has expanded its presence beyond its Vacaville, CA headquarters to include flight centers in Tampa, FL, Santa Monica, CA and a newly opened showroom in Miami, FL. The company has more than ten owners in the Pacific Northwest area alone, with a nationwide sales presence across every major region of the US. Demo flights are available upon request for interested buyers.

Follow @iconaircraft on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information about ICON events in your area.

iconaircraft.com

ICON A5 Discover Adventure Flying.

Learn to fly the ICON A5 in less than a month and experience the dream of flight in ways that you’ve only imagined. Until now.

Connect with your local ICON Demo Team at fly@iconaircraft.com for 2019 aircraft delivery availability, information on upcoming events, and demo flight opportunities.

Professional pilot in controlled environment. Do not attempt. Always obey applicable regulations.

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

Images courtesy of USPA

GETTING INTO THE GAME

by Jennifer Sims

A little over one year ago I picked up a polo mallet for the first time and I fell in love with the sport of kings.

In early 2018, I visited Argentina on a polo holiday at El Venado, a working estancia and polo school. I knew nothing about polo...I hadn’t even ever watched a match! After 10 days of polo boot camp I knew that I was fascinated by the sport and needed to do more of it! I returned to Seattle, immediately looked up polo clubs, and found out about the Seattle Polo Club in Enumclaw.

Unfortunately, it was only April, and the Seattle season didn’t start until June 1 – so I signed up for the Introduction to Polo Clinic and anxiously waited for the day to arrive.

Arriving at the Seattle Polo Club for the first time was a thrill – I met Cameron Smith, the club president, Ernie Darquea, the polo school director and Dan Juarez, the club pro. The clinic itself was awesome! We went over the basics of polo riding, practiced swinging mallets off wooden horses, learned about the rules of the game, and played some slow practice chukkers. Then we enjoyed a BBQ and just hung out. I knew this was the place I wanted to spend my summer days, so I signed up to play in the coaching league chukkers for the rest of the season!

All the polo students in coaching league were super chill and made for a cool learning environment. I really vibed with a sweet mare named Sparrow and was fortunate enough to get to play her throughout the season. After each coaching session, we would enjoy charcuterie and a drink, and it didn’t take long for us all to feel like family. Between my time in coaching league, attending summer polo events and watching local tournaments, the Seattle Polo Club became by second home!

Fast forward to the end of the season, I played my very first tournament and was obsessed. At around the same time, the United States Polo Association (USPA) reached out to discuss my new polo passion, which had become a big part of my equestrian lifestyle blog. With roughly 45,200 followers on Instagram, and connections to major brands including Ariat, Horseware and KEP Italia, the USPA took notice of the fact that I was rapidly falling in love with polo and wanted to work with me to help spread awareness about the sport to the rest of the equestrian world. They sent me to Santa Barbara to blog about the Pacific Coast Open and to take a stick and ball lesson with Team USPA player Jesse Bray.

My next journey will take me and a group of riders on a polo holiday in France and back to Ireland for more cross country jumping. Then it will be time for my mares to come up to Seattle so I can play for the summer season and start to progress in this sport. I will have graduated from the coaching league to the club chukkers and will be playing in more tournaments. I am not totally sure yet how far I plan to go in polo, all I know is that I absolutely love it. Having watched the U.S. Women’s Open final in Florida, I am newly inspired to play at that level.

It’s not easy to step out of your comfort zone into a world that seems so different from what you are used to. But when that world inspires such a great passion in you, you just have to go for it and get in the game.

When I am not working as a professional blogger, I organize riding holidays for a living, so at the end of the season I was in Ireland to jump cross country, South Africa for a riding safari, and Portugal for dressage on Lusitano horses. I managed to squeeze in two days of polo at Val De Vie in Cape Town while I was in Africa, but other than that it was a few months without polo for me, and I was missing it!

During the winter season, most west coast polo players relocate to Indio, California to play, so after my working travel was done, I flew down to Indio to meet up with everybody and finally get to play more polo! I signed up to play the Pro Pool league for two weekends and took lessons each day to get ready. And wouldn’t you know it, I fell in love with two polo ponies – and ended up buying them!!

I can say with absolute certainty now that polo is the next chapter for me as a horse woman. I feel so blessed to have come into this sport with so many incredibly supportive people. My most recent polo trip was to Wellington on behalf of the USPA to watch the Gauntlet of Polo Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship. I am so honored to have had a stick and ball session at Valiente – the Mecca of polo farms.

Jennifer Sims is an equestrian lifestyle blogger on Instagram under the name Styled Equestrian. She organizes horse riding adventures for guests all over the globe. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, daughter, dog and two polo ponies.

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

LEARN TO PLAY POLO!

You don’t need any previous riding or polo experience to try polo. The Seattle Polo School welcomes students of all ages and abilities and offers polo instruction throughout the summer. Students begin with the intro to polo clinic then move to weekly coaching league chukkers and individual instruction.

INTRO TO POLO CLINIC For new players, the polo school begins with a 1-day clinic offered in June. The clinic gives new players exposure to the sport so they can decide if they want to progress to coaching league or lessons. The intro to polo clinic covers all the important topics in a fun one-day format: • Introduction to the sport • Foot mallet practice and basic swing techniques • Horse tack, prep and equipment for polo • Riding skills for polo • Basic hitting techniques • Wooden horse practice • Polo rules and strategy introduction • Practice chukker

COACHING LEAGUE There is no better way to learn the sport than to play. The coaching league teaches people new to the sport the rules of the game and gets them comfortable playing. Pros play on each team and coach students so that they understand the rules, stay safe and have a great time. Coaching league takes place at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the summer. Students in Coaching League can also lease horses to play club chukkers on the weekends.

CERTIFIED POLO INSTRUCTOR: ERNIE DARQUEA The United States Polo Association certifies professional polo instructors who possess superior knowledge, skill and experience with respect to both playing and teaching the sport of polo. The Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club is fortunate to have Certified Polo Instructor Ernie Darquea on staff to provide lessons and polo instruction throughout the summer season.

Ernie grew up riding on his family ranch in Ecuador. While attending Cornell, he joined the arena polo team and competed throughout college. Ernie went on to play professionally in Florida, Idaho and California and he also managed several polo clubs including the L.A. Equestrian Center, California Polo Club and Will Rogers Polo Club in the Pacific Palisades.

For the past 6 years Ernie has been teaching and training horses in the Northwest and he has been the Head Instructor at Seattle Polo Club since 2017.

For more information about the Seattle Polo School, contact Cameron@seattlepoloclub.com or call 206.498.6862

“The excellent instruction from polo pros at Seattle Polo Club creates a fun and welcoming environment for students to improve at all levels of ability. After just one lesson, I was hooked!” -Alicia Follmer, Polo School student

Your success is our foremost concern.

• • • • • • •

To learn more, contact Scott Cunningham or Jon Hearn at 206-684-6038 or go to key.com/kpb today.

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

I N N O VAT I V E & C R E AT I V E I D E A S

The Kentucky Derby Party

airs the biggest race of the year and invites guests to don their best derby attire for an afternoon of horses, specialty food and cocktails, live music, and great company. Hosted in the W Bellevue Living Room Bar on the first weekend in May. The Seattle Polo Party is the most memorable event of the summer. Guests and players enjoy polo matches, a fashion show, the divot stomp, a women’s hat parade and contest, the awards ceremony, a DJ/live music, an after party and so much more.

S A E D I E V I TA E R C & E V I TAV O N N I

Book your magical event with us.

Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club is the ideal location for your special event: quiet, secluded magnificently landscaped fields with Mount Rainier as majestic backdrop.

Multi use event space for Weddings, Corporate Banquets, Birthdays, Galas and Company Picnics.

Relax and let us coordinate the ultimate occasion your guests will never forget. events@seattlepoloclub.com

Wedding Banquets Social Events Corporate Events Cocktail parties Sit-down dinners Company Picnics Seasonal SoirĂŠes Birthday Parties & More! events@seattlepoloclub.com

Teamwear We offer a bespoke service for your team needs, with over 15 years of experience

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as official suppliers to some of the top polo organizations and clubs in the world.

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Home of the Pacific Polo Cup and the West Coast Classic

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INDIO, CALIFORNIA - SINCE 1957 THE HEART OF POLO IN THE DESERT FOR OVER 60 YEARS Eldorado Polo Club in the perfect place to enjoy world class polo in the beautiful Coachella Valley playing January through March. Whether you wish to check out a match with family & friends in the warm California winter sun or try your own hand at the game, there is no better place!

SUNDAY POLO EVENTS - CANTINA RESTAURANT - PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES AMATEUR LEAGUES - ONSITE POLO ACADEMY - CORPORATE EVENTS

www.eldoradopoloclub.com

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SEATTLE POLO Magazine

Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club, or SPEC as it is fondly referred to, is a polo and event venue that boasts stunning grounds, elevated field views, VIP pavilion space and indoor/outdoor equestrian venues, all set against the majestic backdrop of Mt. Rainer. The impressive facilities welcome thousands of visitors each year and are the fruition of one man’s vision for a polo and event destination in the region.

SPEC founder and president Cameron Smith got his first exposure to polo 12 years ago when a client told him about a polo tournament he was promoting. He took an introductory clinic soon after and never looked back. What began as an interesting hobby quickly turned into one of his passions and he soon realized a need for a first-class polo facility in the Seattle area.

In 2012, he purchased a 68-acre equestrian venue in Enumclaw and founded the Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club to promote and grow the sport of polo in the greater Seattle area. A location for the regulation polo field was selected and heavy-grading began in order to optimize a level playing surface. Framing, seeding and planting took place in final preparation of the grass polo field and in 2015 the first polo match was played at SPEC. The next step in Cameron’s vision was to introduce Seattle to a true polo experience, and with that the Seattle Polo Party was born. Hundreds of guests attended the inaugural Seattle Polo Party in 2016 and experienced a true polo lifestyle event that intersected the exciting sport with luxury automobiles, exceptional cuisine, fine wine, and trendsetting fashion.

FROM THE GROUND UP

Since 2016 the Seattle Polo Party has become an annual social event that draws new visitors to the club each year.

In response, continual improvements to the facility and venue have been made. In 2017, a retaining wall and field viewing platform were built to improve the spectator field-side experience. The Seattle Polo Party of 2018 drew record crowds to the viewing platform and VIP Pavilion and invited guests to experience another formal addition to SPEC: the Seattle Polo Wall, specifically designed and built for visitor photo opportunities.

SPEC continued to answer Seattle’s growing interest for polo-related events with the 1st annual Kentucky Derby Party in 2018; an exclusive event for players, spectators and derby enthusiasts alike. The club also hosted the United States Polo Association Pacific Northwest Circuit Governor’s Cup, welcoming some of the best players in the country to compete for prestigious awards.

There’s so much more than polo at SPEC! Located just 50 minutes from downtown Seattle, SPEC offers the perfect place to enjoy summer, host private events, and experience all that the polo lifestyle has to offer.

The facility is home to equestrian disciplines of hunter/ jumper, eventing and western riding and is dedicated to

community-building

through

work

with

charity

organizations such as Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Center.

The SPEC Polo School also hosts corporate team-building events and

invites new players to try polo – no riding

background required!

If you have not experienced the sport of polo or the amazing facilities at SPEC, we invite you to join us in 2019.

More information on polo and events can be found at seattlepoloclub.com and seattlepoloparty.com.

52

SEATTLE POLO Magazine

“In riding a horse, we borrow freedom.”

Helen Thompson

“A man on a horse is

“Playing polo is like trying to play golf during an earthquake.”

spiritually, as well as -Sylvester Stallone physically, bigger than a man on foot.” John Steinbeck

“NO HOUR OF LIFE IS WASTED THAT IS SPENT IN THE SADDLE.” SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion.

“

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I still climb Mount Everest just as often as I used to. I play polo just as often as I used to.

But to walk down to the hardware store I find a little bit more difficult.

Dr. Seuss

”

Architect Bernie Baker Waterfront 9710 Lindsay Place, Edmonds 98020 4 BED | 5 BATH | $4,868,000

@vdbcompass

@vdbcompass

@vdbcompass

VDB Compass

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 withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Elegant Sterling Crest Estate 8215 255th Avenue NE, Redmond 98053 5 BED | 6 BATH | $3,363,000

Celebrated Steven D. Smith Design 9588 NE 1st Street, Bellevue 98004 5 BED | 5 BATH | $4,880,000

The VDB | Compass Advantage You’ll recognize the difference when VDB sits on your side of the negotiating table. You’ll understand the difference when you see the original marketing plan designed specifically for your home by the technically superior, cutting-edge VDB | Compass team. The results will be your advantage.

Mark von der Burg Sr. Founding Broker, Compass Seattle Seattle 206.245.9185 Eastside 425.882.8821 mark@vdbcompass.com

vdbcompass.com

THE MOST MEMORABLE EVENT OF THE SUMMER.

PRESENTED BY

Saturday, August 10th

Polo Field