NEWS

Forming an unstoppable presence in the finale of the 12-goal series at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California, FMB Too/Folded Hills (Will Busch, Juan Curbelo, Santiago Wulff, Henry Walker) emerged with an incredible 6-0 record in the Pacific Coast Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup. Their triumph in the final was well deserved, as they were forced to dig deep to defeat Antelope (Grant Palmer, Santiago Llavallol, Jimmy Wright*, Santiago Trotz) 14-13 in a captivating overtime win. Curbelo was awarded MVP while Wright's mare, Coco, was awarded Best Playing Pony honors. Walker's Constanza was awarded Amateur Best Playing Pony.

Along with the finals of the Pacific Coast Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup, the end of the 12-goal season meant recognizing players’ outstanding efforts over the course of the three-part series. As voted on by the players, Juan Guerrero of Los Padres was chosen as Season MVP and Kristos "Keko" Magrini* of Los Padres was selected as the player with the Best String.

As the 12-goal season wraps up, Santa Barbara will see two weeks of rest for the ponies, players, and fields, but the action will start again soon. This year, 20-goal polo will return to Santa Barbara, with the Robert Skene Trophy, the America Cup™, the Silver Cup^® and the Pacific Coast Open, all of which are guaranteed to offer thrilling and competitive polo.

*Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini is an Active Team USPA Member and Jimmy Wright is Team USPA alumnus. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska.