Tag archives: Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club

Another Season in Polo Paradise
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 4, 2026

Polo has long been known as the “Sport of Kings,” and while it’s true that Prince William played at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (SBPRC) in 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary, and then new-Montecito resident Prince Harry played real matches at the club, you don’t have to be royalty, a mover and […]

Sunday Polo: Where Elegance Meets Equestrian
By Richard Mineards   |   October 21, 2025

As polo season draws to a close, the allure of Sunday Polo is still ever-present. Few gatherings so seamlessly blend Montecito and Santa Barbara society with the delight of magnificent ponies as those at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. This weekend’s match was no exception; a radiant afternoon of athletic mastery, equestrian grace, […]

Royal Reconciliation 
By Richard Mineards   |   July 22, 2025

King Charles and Prince Harry’s senior aides held a secret peace summit in London at the weekend. It’s the initial stage in an effort to restore the fractured relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the rest of the Royal Family. Harry is represented by Meredith Maines, his communications officer and head of his Montecito […]

Polo & Friendship: An Afternoon of Polo with the Friendship Center
By Zach Rosen   |   July 15, 2025

Next week, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will play host to more than a thrilling afternoon of sport – it will serve as a chance to learn about a local nonprofit that’s been quietly making a difference for nearly 50 years. On July 18th, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, the Friendship Center will host […]

A Sense of Belonging: Private Clubs Add to Santa Barbara’s Residential Appeal
By Gabe Saglie   |   July 8, 2025

Life in the American Riviera – along the alluring Santa Barbara south coast, and enclaves like Montecito – strikes a special balance: it’s not far from the urban sprawl of L.A., yet a world away. And the appeal of living here goes beyond gorgeous views, perfect weather, and an uncanny ability for property values to […]

Polo Helping People Helping People
By Richard Mineards   |   July 8, 2025

To polo playing billionaire Tom Barrack’s Happy Canyon Vineyard for the 13th annual Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic benefitting local charity People Helping People with 300 guests helping raise more than $25,000. The energized equestrian bash, co-chaired by T.J. Barrack and Sean and Jodi Pitts, consisted of two matches – female and male – and […]

Riveting Divots
By Richard Mineards   |   May 13, 2025

Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club opened its 114th season on Sunday, kicking off an action-packed schedule with exciting tournaments and events that will showcase some of the world’s most talented equestrians. With a record number of teams and players participating, including a Number Ten rider – the top accolade in the sport – this […]

Polo de Mayo
By Richard Mineards   |   May 14, 2024

Cinco de Mayo took on a whole new complexion when the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club launched its 113th season with the 12-goal Lucid Motors Pope Challenge, a hotly-contested match between Antelope – led by Grant Palmer, whose father Geoff is a L.A. real estate tycoon – and Budweiser beer heir Andy Busch’s Folded […]

A Great Two Minutes
By Richard Mineards   |   May 14, 2024

A torrent of tony tête toppers descended on the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club when social gadabout Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey, founder of the popular La Boheme dance troupe, hosted their fourth annual Run for the Roses bash, celebrating the 150th Kentucky Derby. Known as the Greatest Two Minutes in Sport, the Churchill […]

It’s Chukka Time
By Richard Mineards   |   April 30, 2024

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club opens its 113th season on Sunday (May 5) kicking off an action-packed schedule filled with exciting tournaments and events that will showcase some of the world’s most talented equestrians from across the globe. With a record number of teams and players participating at every level, this season is set […]

Glen Holden Remembered
By Richard Mineards   |   April 30, 2024

On a deeply personal note, I remember Glen Holden, one of three founding members of the Santa Barbara Polo Club, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the age of 96. Born in Boise, Idaho, Glen grew up on a ranch outside of Portland, Oregon, from the age of six where he developed a […]

Private Clubs Add to Santa Barbara’s Residential Appeal
By Gabe Saglie   |   July 18, 2023

The pandemic is now solidly in the rear-view mirror. But one of its unexpected silver linings – a surging allure to living along Santa Barbara’s South Coast – roars on. An enclave like Montecito is not all that far from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, but as so many new residents and visitors now […]

Rousing Rosey Race
By Richard Mineards   |   May 16, 2023

A torrent of tony tête toppers descended on Fieldside at the Santa Barbara Polo Club when social gadabout Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey Nowak, founder of the popular La Boheme dance troupe, hosted their third annual Run for the Roses bash celebrating the 149th Kentucky Derby. Known as the Greatest Two Minutes in Sport, the […]

Polo Season Almost Upon Us
By Richard Mineards   |   April 25, 2023

Santa Barbara Polo Club launches its 112th action-packed season on May 7, showcasing some of the most talented players from around the globe. With a record number of teams and players at every level, the season is set to be one of the most memorable in the club’s history. “The club has always been considered […]

Fieldside Birthday Fun
By Richard Mineards   |   March 28, 2023

Social gridlock reigned when society gadabout Rick Oshay took over the Fieldside restaurant at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club to celebrate the 13th anniversary of his half century. Fifty guests descended on the clubhouse locale to nosh on a five-course dinner after beluga caviar canapés and champagne and then dancing the night away […]

Polo Lessons Available
By Richard Mineards   |   November 8, 2022

Prince Harry’s polo playing pal Nacho Figueras is now part of a Neiman Marcus Christmas present – for a price! For $295,000 the legendary Texas emporium – known as Needless Markup by Dallas denizens – is offering a two-night stay at the St. Regis in Aspen, Colorado, with a private Argentinian Asado dinner by chef […]

A Game to Remember
By Richard Mineards   |   September 13, 2022

The 113-year-old Netjets Pacific Coast Open is considered the biggest polo event on the Left Coast, but this year’s final at the Santa Barbara Polo Club was an absolute cracker with the L.I.N.Y. team, consisting mainly of teenagers, beating the more established Farmers & Merchants Bank, led by two-time PCO winner Dan Walker, 12-11 in […]

All Fore the Best
By Richard Mineards   |   September 6, 2022

Mallets were changed for golf clubs when the Santa Barbara Polo Club’s Polo Training Center hosted its fourth annual golf tournament at the Montecito Club with a record 80 participants raising $20,000 for the Carpinteria-based facility. Players went round the Jack Nicklaus-designed course in foursomes during the Farmers & Merchants Bank-sponsored event, although a truck […]

High Goal Season Off to a Bucking Start
By Richard Mineards   |   July 19, 2022

Social gridlock reigned when, after a two-week hiatus, Santa Barbara Polo Club launched its highly anticipated high goal season with four top teams playing in the roster at the Carpinteria equine paradise through September. The 20-goal culminates at the end of August with the Netjets Pacific Coast Open, the biggest tournament on the Left Coast, […]

Yoga Après Polo with Megan Llambias
By Michelle Ebbin   |   July 19, 2022

For over 100 years the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (SBPRC), situated beautifully in the Carpinteria foothills between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean, has drawn polo players and spectators from all over the world. This year the buzz about Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and world-renowned Argentine polo champion, Nacho […]