Seattle Polo Magazine 2023

The Design Issue

The One & Only Seattle Polo Party

PUBLISHER

Cameron Smith

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION

SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR

Drew Dambreville

PHOTOGRAPHY

FORTLOC

Jeni Jo Photography

Khalid Bari

CONTRIBUTORS

Cameron Smith

Emily Hurst

Lisa Muirhead

MANAGING EDITOR

Megan Kozminski

ART DIRECTOR

Travis Sarvas

Melissa Levin and Liz Wolter, NW Sports Media Salinas Holcomb, Photography by Salinas

For advertising enquires contact drew@seattlepoloclub.com.

Printed in the U.S.A

© 2023 Seattle Polo Club

25901 SE 400th Street Enumclaw, WA98022

The Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club is centrally located in the Seattle / Tacoma area just outside Enumclaw, Washington. The facility is less than an hour from downtown Seattle, 45 minutes from Bellevue, and 30 minutes from Tacoma.

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.

COVER Cameron Smith and his polo pony "McQueen" enjoy the Seattle Polo Party alongside model Raquel Romans.

Image by Khalid Bari, FORTLOC

THE MOST MEMORABLE EVENT OF THE SUMMER.

WELCOME TO SEATTLE POLO

Polo is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. The Seattle Polo Magazine was created to showcase the finest aspects of the polo lifestyle for the Pacific Northwest: from horses to luxury automobiles, fashion, jewelry, design, food and wine, our publication captures the essence of the polo way of life.

Each year we celebrate the polo lifestyle at a series of exciting social events. We begin by hosting our annual Kentucky Derby Party at W Bellevue. On the first Saturday in May, we fill the Living Room Lounge with attendees in fashionable attire enjoying great food, company, and an incredible horse race. Next, the Seattle Polo Magazine launch party attracts a crowd who are anxious to get the first edition of the magazine, the only magazine of its kind in the Pacific Northwest! The social calendar culminates with the Seattle Polo Party, Saturday August 12th. Rolls-Royce returns as the presenting sponsor with the VIP Lounge anchored by Oris Watches and Goldfarb Jewelers. Many partygoers suggest that they come for the live polo match or to enjoy the catering by STK, but the hat parade is the main attraction at the Seattle Polo Party! At half-time of the polo match, we host Seattle’s biggest hat parade, with more than 400 participants parading their way past the judges in the hope of winning exclusive prizes. The polo party is an event that can’t be missed.

Our facility hosts two polo tournaments in the summer with visiting players from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia converging at the Seattle Polo Club for a weekend of play. The USPA Sportsmanship Cup is held July 8th and 9th and the USPA Master’s Cup is held July 29th and 30th. Spectators are welcome to watch the tournaments and admission is free.

Behind the scenes, we have an exceptional team who contribute to the success of our endeavors. Drew Dambreville, our director of marketing and promotions, has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Seattle Polo Party and our social events through his remarkable outreach and dedication. The Seattle Polo Magazine, enjoyed by readers annually is produced by Megan Kozminski of Media Spur Inc. Additionally, we must acknowledge the countless polo professionals, players, and the remarkable ponies themselves who are integral members of our Seattle Polo family.

Together, we welcome spectators, guests, and players to revel in the wonders of the polo club, immerse themselves in the pages of the Seattle Polo Magazine and embrace everything the remarkable polo lifestyle has to offer.

Looking forward to sharing polo with everyone this summer.

Cameron Smith PRESIDENT & FOUNDER SEATTLE POLO & EQUESTRIAN CLUB

TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

MAY 6 KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY

Hosted in the Living Room at W Bellevue, the Kentucky Derby Party kicks off the summer polo schedule.

JUNE 10, 11, 17, 18 INTRO TO POLO CLINICS

For new players, the polo school begins with fun 1-day clinics offering an introduction to the sport, foot mallet practice and basic swing techniques, horse tack and equipment for polo, riding skills, wooden horse practice, polo rules and strategy, and a fun practice chukker.

JULY TBD SEATTLE POLO MAGAZINE LAUNCH

An event celebrating the launch of the Seattle Polo Magazine 2023 edition.

JULY 8 – 9 USPA SPORTSMANSHIP CUP

The USPA Sportsmanship Cup returns as the first major tournament of the season. Teams from across the Pacific Northwest compete in three different levels of play for trophies and prize money.

JULY 29 – 30 USPA MASTER’S CUP

The Pacific Northwest Circuit USPA Governor’s Cup is the largest, most prestigious polo tournament played in the region. Players and teams from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and British Columbia compete at three different levels of play.

AUGUST 12 SEATTLE POLO PARTY

Don’t miss the social event of the season! Bring your family, friends, colleagues, and guests, and dress to impress! An exciting polo match, VIP lounge, and champagne divot stomp are just a few highlights of this much-anticipated annual event.

Weekly practice chukkers take place every Thursday evening and on weekends throughout the summer.

For more information, visit seattlepoloclub.com

Play by Play

The object of the game is to move the polo ball through the goal posts to score. Polo teams change direction after each goal is scored to equalize field and weather conditions. If you see a flag raised at the end of the field, a goal was scored!

The rules of polo are intended to ensure the safety of polo ponies and players. The essential concept is the “line of the ball,” a right-of-way established by the path of the traveling ball.

Any infraction of the game rules is a foul and most often results in the umpires awarding a penalty shot. Penalty shots range in distance from the goal end, depending on the severity of the foul.

There are two methods of defense on the polo field. A hook uses one’s mallet to block or interfere with an opponent's swing while a ride-off (or bump) is like a shoulder check in hockey, allowing players to use their ponies to push an opposing player and pony off of the line of the ball.

POLO The Fast Facts

4 PLAYERS PER TEAM

-2 to 10

THE HANDICAP RANGE OF PLAYERS, THE HIGHER THE HANDICAP, THE BETTER THE PLAYER

4 CHUKKERS (OR PERIODS) IN A MATCH 110mph

49 - 54

THE LENGTH OF PLAYERS' MALLETS IN INCHES

7.5 MINUTES IN A CHUKKER

10 MINUTES FOR DIVOT STOMP, WHEN SPECTATORS WALK THE FIELD TO HELP REPAIR THE GRASS

TOP SPEED OF A POLO BALL

35mph

1,2,3,4 NUMBERS ASSIGNED TO TEAM PLAYERS, DESIGNATING THE POSITION THEY PLAY

3 GAME OFFICIALS. TWO UMPIRES ON THE FIELD, ONE ON THE SIDELINES.

300 YARDS X 160 YARDS = A REGULATION POLO FIELD, EQUIVALENT TO NINE FOOTBALL FIELDS

Seattle Tradition: The Hat Parade

A highly anticipated tradition at the annual Seattle Polo Party is the Women’s Hat Parade and Contest, held during halftime of the main match. Not unlike horse racing, polo has a long tradition of summer hats, and most spectators agree that the most important element of any polo ensemble is a fantastic hat. The Seattle Polo Party tradition is Seattle's biggest Hat Parade, hosting upwards of 400 participants annually.

Michael Patrick Hoyle, owner and founder of Hoyle Hat in downtown Seattle, helps partner original and unique hats with original and unique people. “Finding the perfect hat is not just about fashion, it’s about aligning your outer appearance with your inner vision. Let symmetry be your guide and embrace the energy that speaks to you. A hat is more than just an accessory, it’s an extension of your unique style and personality. Let your hat be the crown that reflects the very essence of you.”

Coveted

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso embraces the spirit of the Latin phrase, “I turn around,” and since its inception, it has been the most coveted international timepiece of polo players and aficionados alike.

In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a timepiece that was destined to become a classic of 20th- century design: the Reverso. Created to withstand the rigours of polo matches, its sleek, Art Deco lines and unique reversible case make it one of the most immediately recognisable watches of all time.

Through nine decades, the Reverso has continually reinvented itself without ever compromising its identity: it has housed more than 50 different calibres, while its blank metal flip side has become a canvas for creative expression, decorated with enamel or engravings. Today, 90 years after the Reverso was born, it continues to epitomize the spirit of modernity that inspired its creation.

Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler is Bellevue’s premier jewelry store specializing in fine Jaeger LeCoultre timepieces. Find out more at agjeweler.com

LEVEL UP YOUR GAME NIGHT AT BELLEVUE’S NEWEST HOTSPOT

Forum Social House is a 20,000 square foot premier entertainment destination perfect for groups of 15 to 600 guests - we are Bellevue’s hotspot for private events.

FURNITURE SMITH

AWARD-WINNING DESIGN

Good design creates an emotional response with end users.

Cameron’s passion for furniture design can he traced back to his days as an Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Washington. Numerous elegant and functional designs including lighting, tables, and chairs, defined his early start, but like many in the industry, his career did not travel a direct route.

Cameron departed Washington for Stanford in 1996, where he studied under David M. Kelley to earn a Master’s degree of Engineering in Product Design. Now referred to as the d.school, Stanford’s design program has earned a reputation as one of the world leaders in teaching “Design Thinking.” His Master’s thesis on cordless environments allowed him to challenge interaction with products that work without being tethered to a cord. His work culminated in a translucent desk with a curved surface that he still uses to this day.

Returning to Seattle, Cameron founded Product Creation Studio, a consulting firm specializing in medical technology. For the next two decades his business flourished, while his dreams of furniture design remained at bay. Then in 2019, a polo injury to his neck caused Cameron to give pause. His injury made it impossible to work or play polo, but it did offer him time to pull out his sketchbook and return to his passion for designing furniture. A few years of sketching ensued, as did the inspiration to turn his designs into reality.

Under the umbrella of his FurnitureSmith brand, Cameron Smith has created a series of original and award-winning pieces that evoke the objective of all good design: emotion.

INSPIRATION

As many artists will attest, inspiration can strike at any time. For Cameron, the inspiration for his design is often born from a feeling, a pose, or an experience. The Good Day Chaise, for example, was inspired by a past girlfriend, who was a talented rock musician. While spending time in the music studio as she worked in collaboration with other artists, inspiration struck Cameron to design a chaise. The goal for the end user was experiential: to feel and absorb the music from a comfortable, reclined position.

The physical form of the chaise came to have slender and light characteristics, yet the construction behind the piece was solid and heavy, like the music that inspired it. In the same way that artists and musicians collaborate and complement one another, the contrasts represented by the chaise are both commanding and elegant.

Another of FurnitureSmith’s award-winning designs is the Arms Lounger, which takes inspiration from one of Cameron’s favorite California destinations: Santa Monica. One sunny afternoon, Cameron was sketching near the Santa Monica pier when he observed a couple relaxing on a nearby patch of grass. Their arms were stretched out behind them, and they were leaning back with their knees bent. It struck Cameron as a comfortable pose for a relaxing and social afternoon by the ocean: “It was an intriguing position that also seemed very natural, and very cool. I was inspired to create a chair that mimicked that form, as well as the emotion and social interaction it evoked.”

To be truly special, furniture needs to be born of inspiration, so it can then also inspire others.

Good Day Chaise Arms Lounger

PROCESS

Once inspiration strikes, Cameron’s sketches quickly take shape. A friend going through cancer relayed to him how comforted she felt when her family visited and embraced her. Cameron responded with sketches of a chair designed to hug users when sitting in it. In the case of the Good Day Chaise, his drawings were complete in just one day during his visit to the music studio and he had a 3D printed scale model within a week.

The next step of the design process uses software to create a 3D model of the concept. At this stage, a design brief is also created, in which Cameron explains his inspiration, the features of the piece, the details of its form, market research, and more. The design brief creates a vision of the chair that guides the development process going forward.

Creating a full-scale ergonomic model is an important phase of the overall process. While the model is not necessarily made from end-user materials, the mock-up allows Cameron to finesse the angles, details, and physical features of the piece, including the seat angle, lumbar position, arms, and legs.

Once Cameron is satisfied with the mock-up, the design is passed on to the mechanical engineering team at his firm. The engineers design the parts and functional components, source the materials, and create the first functional prototypes that ultimately lead to production. From beginning to end, it can take up to a year to engineer and develop each unique piece. Dedication to the design, and assistance from his team are essential to the process of moving from inspiration to a completed product.

INAUGURATION

In May 2022, Cameron launched the FurnitureSmith design prototypes at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City. He has since entered his first four chair designs into numerous design and architecture competitions worldwide. Now with 28 international design awards to his name, Cameron is looking forward to the next stage of his career. While chaise lounges and chairs have been his focus, future projects in the works will include a revamping of his grad school desk as well as the workbench that he created for the Make a Wish foundation. Shelving units and dining tables have also been featuring in his sketchbook lately.

As Cameron’s designs come to market, they promise to inspire interest and emotion in end users. At the 2022 Seattle Polo Party, hundreds of guests visited the FurnitureSmith exhibit, and few resisted the opportunity to sit back and relax in the chaise lounges. The functional elegance of their design creates precisely what Cameron imagined it would: a new experience.

ACCOLADES

iF Design Award (Berlin, Germany)

Arms Lounger, Decker Folding Yacht Chair

A’Design Award (Milan, Italy)

Arms Lounger: Bronze Award

Good Day Chaise: Iron Award

Decker Folding Yacht Chair: Iron Award

Crisscross Folding Chair: Bronze Award

Good Design Awards (Chicago, USA/Athens, Greece)

Arms Lounger, Good Day Chaise, Decker Folding Yacht Chair, Crisscross Folding Chair

IDA Design Awards (Los Angeles, USA/Budapest, Hungary)

Arms Lounger: Bronze Award

Good Day Chaise: Honorable Mention

Decker Folding Yacht Chair: Bronze Award

MUSE Design Awards (New York, USA)

Arms Lounger: Silver Design Award

Good Day Chaise: Silver Design Award

Decker Folding Yacht Chair: Silver Design Award

Crisscross Folding Chair: Gold Design Award

SIT Furniture Design Award (Zurich, Switzerland)

Arms Lounger: Honourable Mention Outdoor Design

Good Day Chaise: Best in Category, Chaise Lounge

Crisscross Folding Chair: Design Award

BIG SEE AWARD (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Arms Lounger, Good Day Chaise, Decker Folding Yacht Chair, Crisscross Folding Chair

NY Product Design Awards (New York, USA)

Arms Lounger: Silver Design Award

Good Day Chaise: Silver Design Award

Decker Folding Yacht Chair: Silver Design Award

Crisscross Folding Chair: Silver Design Award

DNA Paris Design Awards (Paris, France)

Arms Lounger, Good Day Chaise, Decker Folding Yacht Chair

POLO PROS

BEHIND THE SCENES

High-Goal: Adam Snow

With countless tournament wins and 45 Best Playing Pony prizes to his name, Adam Snow’s career is unmatched by any other American-born polo professional. A native of Aiken, South Carolina, the former 10-goal player recently made the decision to step away from high-goal tournament polo. Yet he remains actively involved in the sport, training young horses, playing practices and pro-am tournaments, commentating for ESPN, coaching, and writing books.

Adam was surrounded by polo from a young age, but it was not an immediate career choice for him. He grew up in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and his family regularly played at the Myopia Polo Club. Adam graduated from college with an interest in sports, writing, and international affairs, so he applied for a Fulbright scholarship, which ultimately fell through. Looking for a backup plan, he turned to polo. Already rated 4 goals, he decided to go to Argentina where he could learn Spanish and pursue a polo career. From then on, he played every Florida season for years, making polo a lifelong career.

Competing alongside a wide variety of players and ponies and serving as the captain of many teams was always a thrill for Adam. Another highlight was breeding and training his own string of horses, building trust with them, and working as a cohesive unit on the field. One of the most challenging aspects of the profession, Adam admits, is the uncertainty of seasonal work – not knowing whether you’ll be employed from month to month makes planning for the future difficult. Adam used this challenge as inspiration to work harder, continually striving to improve until he was at the very top of the sport.

The best polo players, according to Snow, are extremely competitive. They must also have excellent riding skills and the ability to get the most out of their mounts. What sets polo players apart from other athletes is the fact that they must perform at their highest level in partnership with another species.

Adam was fortunate to play many incredible horses over the years: “Whether it was luck, good fortune, or all the stars aligned... great horses came to me right at the best moment in my playing career.” While the horses were something special, the care they received at home under his veterinarian wife, Shelly Onderdonk, also contributed to their success. The goal of balancing human goals with equine needs is the subject of Adam and Shelley’s latest book, Winning with Horses, published in 2023 by Trafalgar Square Books.

Hale Bopp, one of Adam’s best horses, was recently nominated to the Polo Hall of Fame. Adam is currently training and playing the offspring of several of his favorite mounts, including Hale Bopp, an experience he considers both challenging and rewarding.

Next-Level Talent: Hope Arellano

Hope Arellano is one of the best female polo players in the world. The South Carolina native is the United States Polo Association’s newest 10goal rated player, and although she is just 20 years old, she already has a long list of notable wins under her belt, including two Women’s U.S. Open Championships and a silver medal in the Federation of International Polo World Championship.

Arellano was born into polo. Her father, Julio, was a professional polo player and her mother Meghan grew up playing. Hope and her two brothers followed naturally in their parent's footsteps, and as a family they share a deep passion for the sport. One of Hope’s favorite memories is a special 12-goal win with a team made up entirely of her family members.

At the root of Hope’s success in the sport is her love for horses and her talent as a horsewoman. “The ponies make it all possible, and the bond that I feel with each pony is so special.” Because the partnership between a professional player and their ponies is critical to success, Hope spends almost all her time with her equine teammates. A typical day includes a workout, followed by riding and training horses, and stick and ball practise. On game days, whether it’s a team practice or tournament game, Hope strives to be both mentally and physically prepared. This can be challenging for a young athlete, but Hope carries it all in stride: “I feel some degree of pressure to prove myself day after day, but this is part of being an athlete. I am always working on improving, whether it is my ponies, my game, my mental strategy, or my fitness level.”

Hope’s hard work has paid off and every day she is grateful that she gets to follow her passion and play professionally. As a female pro, she faces different challenges on the field than her mostly male counterparts, yet she also brings different skills to the game. When it comes to hitting, for example, she finds herself working more on accuracy and ball placement, rather than distance.

Hope is currently playing in Santa Barbara and plans to play in England this summer season. She will then return home to Aiken for a short break before heading to Argentina to play the top women’s tournament in the world in the fall: the Argentine

Top: Image by Michelle Vantine Photography, courtesy of the USPA. Below: Image by David Lominska, courtesy of the USPA.

Inspiring the Sport: Toto Socas

Argentine-born Toto Socas spends much of his year in California, splitting his time between Cerro Pampa and Eldorado Polo Clubs.

Toto comes from a long line of polo players. He grew up traveling the world with his professional polo player father and admits that both his father and uncle, Adolfo Cambiaso, are great role models for him. “What is so inspiring about my uncle is that he has been so competitive for so long. He competes against up-and-coming younger players all the time, and he just keeps winning.”

Having played up to 16-goal polo in Argentina, Toto gravitated towards the management and teaching side of the sport when he arrived in the United States almost 10 years ago. Toto enjoys introducing new players to polo, and believes numerous factors go into making a skilled player. Above all, horses make up 70% of a player’s game: “Buying good horses, this sets all players up for success. And the rest of their game is a balance between skills and smarts,” suggests Toto.

One of the biggest challenges that Toto realizes as a professional player is the costs associated with the sport. To improve, most of what is earned must be reinvested into horses and tournaments, sometimes becoming an endless cycle. Finding a balance between income and expenses, while also creating a safety net for the future, is something that he believes many professionals players struggle with on an ongoing basis.

Toto spends most of his time in the barn and at the field. He suggests that a deep love for horses is crucial for anyone who makes a living in polo: “All day, you spend time with horses, you talk about horses, you socialize with other people about horses, and then it repeats again the next day!”

One of the highlights of the recent winter polo season for Toto was winning the USPA Carlton and Keleen Beal Cup and receiving the MVP award. This summer polo season, Toto looks forward to playing at the Seattle Polo Club.

While the life of a pro is not an easy one, it does make for a great lifestyle. It means always being in places at the best time of year, when the weather is best for polo. “Polo is a lot of work, but it is also very fun. Fun in the sun! If I were a millionaire and didn’t have to work, I would still choose life as a polo pro. I love it that much.”

Image courtesy of Kerri Kerley Photography

For more than 60 years, there has been one polo club in the California desert that hosts competitive, international-calibre polo. Known for decades as a players club, this tradition continutes with competitive polo from 2-Goal through 12-Goal, as well as Junior, Women's, Pro Pool and Coaching Leagues throughout the winter season.

Polo Manager: Graham Bray // (760) 774-2583 // eldoradopoloclub.com // Indio, California

GLOBAL POLO PARTIES

KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIA

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Tyrolean Alps, the Bendura Bank Snow Polo Cup is one of the world’s largest snow polo tournaments. Over the past 20 years the event has grown exponentially, now welcoming eight international teams and crowds upwards of 15,000. Encompassing luxury social events and exciting polo action, this Austrian polo party has been deemed “the perfect blend of sport, socializing, and business networking.” The renowned ski town of Kitzbühel comes alive in support of the event, with galas and parties hosted by the resort’s top hotels, restaurants, and clubs. High-end sponsors such as Mackage, Bentley, Veuve Clicquot, and more flock to the event year after year. This Austrian snow polo party is one of a kind.

Image by Reinhardt & Sommer, courtesy of Polo Kitzbühel

FLORIDA, USA

Experience the thrill of polo ponies galloping on the sands of South Beach! This polo party is held each April following the high-goal polo season in Wellington and attracts upwards of 12,000 spectators each year. Miami’s reputation for luxury and leisure makes it the perfect destination for VIPs guests to experience high-goal polo matches featuring some of the world’s top players and see and be seen at a daily après-polo party hosted by the Setai Miami Beach Hotel. A series of exclusive offsite social events celebrating polo, fashion, and luxury round out the weekend. Sponsors include Richard Mille, Don Julio Tequila, Whispering Angel and more, and the VIP tent is packed with guests dressed to impress in trendy swim, beach, and summer fashion.

Image courtesy of Candace Ferreira

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

Located on the east coast of Australia, the Gold Coast is home to pristine stretches of beach and a burgeoning culinary scene, as well as the annual Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping. Magic Millions is a beachside event that kicks off the horse racing carnival and yearling sales. VIPs and celebrities, such as Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier, travel from around the world to attend the event, which features two celebrity-studded polo matches and one of the nation’s top showjumping competitions. For the best view of the festivities, guests can visit the Pacific Fair Pavilion for all-day hospitality and the chance to brush elbows with celebrities.

SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN

The Sotogrande polo season is known for two things: international high-goal polo and incomparable after-polo parties. Located at the renowned Santa Maria Polo Club, After Polo Soto turns the club’s VIP Pavilion into an after-polo nightclub during the summer season. The relaxed and exclusive atmosphere is elevated by live music from local and international DJs. Special events, or themed Fiestas, are held on Friday and Saturday evenings and the club welcomes guests from 9pm until the early hours of the morning. At Sotogrande, there is no summer polo without After Polo Soto.

Image by Luke Marsden, courtesy of Magic Millions

Image courtesy of Santa Maria Polo Club

SEATTLE POLO & EQUESTRIAN CLUB

Save the Date: Saturday, August 12th. The Seattle Polo Party brings all the excitement of polo events from around the globe to Seattle. Experience the thunder of horses running full speed and the skill of international players as they hit the ball down field to score goals. Dress to impress and be prepared for the social event of the summer. The 21+ 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!

Image by FORTLOC

GAME ON!

PLAYER PROFILE: LEIGH ANN SAJOR

Leigh Ann Sajor took up polo in 2020 after participating in the Seattle Polo Club’s introductory clinic. Since then, she has played in Seattle, California, and Argentina—and she is now the proud owner of three beautiful polo ponies. Polo has been one of the most challenging sports that Leigh Ann has taken on, but this athletic sales executive admits that it is also, by far, the most rewarding.

Image courtesy of Mary Kate Adams

What first inspired you to get involved in polo?

LS: My inspiration to play polo comes, first and foremost, from my love and adoration of horses. I was introduced to the sport in 2019 by a former boss, county manager of Chicago Title, Brian Olenik, who now plays out of Southern California. I saw a post of his at the Seattle Polo Club and reached out almost immediately to learn more. I attended the Intro to Polo Clinic in 2020 and was hooked! Growing up as a competitive athlete I can say with certainty that polo is the hardest sport I've ever played. But being able to push my own physical limits alongside such amazing animals is truly a dream come true.

What is the most rewarding facet of the sport?

LS: The most rewarding facet is when the fundamentals that I have been practicing repeatedly start to click and, as a result, I gain confidence in my game. When I visited the La Plata Polo Club in Argentina this past December certain fundamentals really started to click, and it made it that much better to have my coaches and friends there to witness and experience that growth with me.

How did you find your polo ponies?

LS: I have had amazing help in building my string of ponies. I purchased my first horse, Jaguar (affectionately known as 'Bizchochito'), in California, with the help of Joaquin Condomi Alcorta and Jennifer Sims. My other two ponies, Ray and Brujita, come from Francisco Guinazu, a professional player and polo horse trainer. I can't say how lucky I am to have Joaquin train all my ponies each season. It's because of his amazing work, I have the handiest little polo string in the world, or as Joaquin likes to call us: Team Nugget!

What has you hooked on polo?

LS: Polo is the only thing I've ever done that takes me completely out of my head and keeps me 150% present. When we step onto the field all stress and anxiety seem to fade away. I don’t think about work or anything else for that matter, the only thing I'm focused on is the game. It's all consuming in the best way. On top of enjoying the physicality of the sport, it is also very mentally stimulating; almost therapeutic. I always feel a sense of calm, clarity, and happiness after games. That, paired with getting to experience it with such a positive and supportive group of friends has me hooked on polo.

What are your goals for the future?

LS: My goal every year is to be the best player that I can be and to play better than I did the year before. Of course, I'd love to win a tournament (or two) every summer—after all, I am incredibly competitive. As I continue to improve, I'd love to eventually move up to the 3-goal tournament level. I have progressed well over the past 3 years, and I can’t wait to keep playing and improving each polo season.

Benjie was adopted from another country.

Not only did he have to learn another culture and its traditions, but his new family life wasn’t anything like his homelife in his country of birth. As a young child making such a life-shattering move, he didn’t cope well to his new surroundings. That is why he came to Raven Rock.

He struggled in school, with peers, but mostly with his new siblings and parents. They felt that all he needed was more “structure”, but what he really needed was more love and acceptance. Rules without relationship will lead to anger and explosion. Benjie did explode violently. But at the ranch he found acceptance, love and no judgment. Through a relationship with a horse, Benjie was able to feel important, worthy and accepted. We helped him develop his first relationship he could really trust—the relationship with Reo, his horse. From there, he could begin to trust his family.

Raven Rock Ranch is a 501 (C) (3) organization that gives free mental health treatment to at-risk youth in our community. Raven Rock Ranch uses Equine Facilitated Therapy which is effective, successful and fun for the kids. Your tax-deductible donation allows these deserving children and teens to get the help that could save their life. After 1 year of consistent treatment, the individual's suicidal ideation goes from 98% down to 2% as Raven Rock Ranch is a suicide prevention resource.

Raven Rock Ranch is 100% donor based. Please donate by visiting our website: ravenrockranch.org

As a revenue stream from our non-profit, we have adapted our therapeutic technique to help teams in the corporate community develop trust and leadership. Resonance Partners takes teams from 6-10 people and teaches them how to work together with trust and excellent leadership skills that only horses could teach. If interested, please contact Tim Matts 425-269-8107 or email Allegra at allegra@ravenrockranch.org

THE SOCIAL SCENE

PLAYERS & PONIES

KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY