🌞 Pacific Coast Open Final Tailgating at Santa Barbara — Sunday, August 30
We want a huge turnout this year! Join CPC for the Pacific Coast Open Finals on Sunday, August 30, an afternoon of high-goal polo, tailgating, and a charcuterie-style potluck at Santa Barbara Polo Club. At 16 goals, this is SBPC's premier event of the year and the final match of the season, so expect some of the best polo on the West Coast this summer.
📍 Details
Entry is free for CPC members, the club is covering the cost of our space, so bringing food to share is your only cost for the day. We'll be at Field 2, CPC Tailgate Spots #4 & #5. Enter Field 2 at the corner of Nidever & Via Real and drive slowly, the field is sensitive. Valet parking is available for $10, please don't park directly behind the CPC tent.
🧀 Charcuterie Potluck
We'll have a potluck grazing table, so please plan to bring something to share, don't come empty-handed. We want a generous spread for everyone, so bring enough to contribute meaningfully to the table. Think quality cheeses, cured meats, pâté, crackers and bread, olives, dips, nuts, fruit, or chocolates. Bringing drinks? Beer, sparkling water, sodas, and other refreshments are all welcome too. No time to shop? You're welcome to Venmo a contribution instead (@KDWong) and we'll put it toward food and drinks for the tailgate. Please RSVP and let us know what you're bringing so we can make sure we have a good variety.
🚗 Caravan & Carpool
We'll leave CPC around 12:00-12:30pm and caravan up together. Let us know if you'd like to caravan or need a ride.
🙋 Volunteers Needed
We need a few hands for setup and breakdown. Setup will likely start around 2:00-2:30pm, and everyone attending should plan to be there by 3:30pm. We'll also need help breaking everything down around 4:45-5:00pm. If you can help with setup, breakdown, or both, text Katie directly, she's taking names now. Thank you in advance for pitching in and helping make the day fun and easy for everyone. 🥂
👒 Guests & What to Bring
Friends and family are welcome. You can bring coolers and beach chairs, but umbrellas aren't allowed. Please be careful with glass and anything sharp, and make sure everything is picked up after the match to keep the field safe for the horses.
⏰ Schedule
12:00-12:30pm — CPC caravan departs
1:30pm — CPC tailgate setup
2:00pm — Field 2 gates open for tailgate parking
3:30pm — Please arrive by this time
3:45pm — Pony parade, national anthem & ball toss
4:00pm — 16-goal Pacific Coast Open Final
4:45pm — Half-time Divot Stomp
5:30pm — Match ends & trophy presentation
6:00pm — Afterparty at the Clubhouse, cash bar
Bring a dish, bring a friend. Our Thursday Polo & Potluck Socials are back for two more evenings this September. Join us for a fun evening of polo, great food, and even better company, whether you're a member, player, friend of the club, or simply curious about polo. Everyone is welcome, and friends and family can come too.
Admission is complimentary, but please RSVP so we can get an accurate headcount.
🍽️ What to Bring
Please bring a dish to share, and if you'd like, individual canned or bottled beverages (beer, sparkling water, soda, iced tea, lemonade, and the like). Individual drinks are especially appreciated on warm evenings. When you RSVP you can sign up to bring a main dish, appetizer, side dish, dessert, fruit, or drinks.
📅 Dates
Thursday, September 10, 7:30pm
Thursday, September 24, 7:30pm
🤠 Hattrick Polo Fall Arena League Series
The Hattrick Polo Fall Arena League Series is here, and we want CPC well represented. We're looking to send both a B Team and a C Team this year.
The series runs over two weekends:
📍 October 17-18 at ARHO Polo Farm (Bonsall)
📍 November 7-8 at Poway Polo Club
Divisions
A Flight: 2-5 Goal
B Flight: -1 to 1 Goal
C Flight: -3 to -2 Goal
Each division is limited to just 4 teams, with every team guaranteed 4 games across the series. A & B Flights will also compete for prize money, with MVP and Best Playing Pony awards presented in each division final.
Reach out to Katty if you’re interested in joining or forming a team!
🎉 Save the Date: More Chances to Play
Will Rogers Memorial Tournament — September 26-27
CPC will host a party at Will Rogers during the Will Rogers Memorial Tournament. We'll be submitting both an A Flight and a B Flight (Pro-Pool) team. More details to come soon, mark your calendars now. Prices will be released next week, and will be similar to what it normally costs to play the CPC pro-pool chukkers.
CPC at Santa Barbara Polo Club — September & October
No firm dates yet, but CPC will be out playing at SBPC through September and October. Stay tuned for specifics, and come cheer on your friends on the grass!
Housekeeping Notes
A few important housekeeping reminders and club updates for all lesson and chukker riders:
🎯 Arena Safety: Please do not hit the ball inside the 15-yard line near the deck or toward the gate, especially when the gate is open. Riders may be sitting mounted by the deck, waiting to go in, or in the process of mounting or dismounting, so always look before you hit and never hit into horses or people in those areas. During lessons, instructors are often on foot and may be speaking with another rider, so do not hit between them or in the instructor's direction. Please stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
☀️ Hot Weather: Bring your own water and electrolytes, we don't sell drinks at the barn (there's a 7-Eleven down the street in a pinch). A small cooler with ice packs helps keep things cold. Hydrate before you arrive and don't forget the sunscreen.
⏰ Chukkers Start on Time: Please be mounted and ready before your scheduled start, our grooms tack up hours ahead to keep the morning moving.
📱 Running Late: Text us as soon as you know so we can adjust, a groom may already be waiting with your horse.
🕐 Clock & Scorekeeping: If you're on the clock, be there before the chukker starts and stay focused. Can't make it? Arrange your own replacement and let us know who's covering.
🪖 Helmets Mandatory: Required any time you're riding or stick-and-balling at the club, including off-hours.
✈️ Argentina Trip, November 15-22: A few spots left. Round-trip flights are running about $700-1,000. Reach out if you're interested.
🐴 Horse Leasing & Purchase: We have several options depending on your experience and goals, reach out and we'll help point you in the right direction.
👕 Club Merch: New CPC shirts and gear are on the way (finally)! Thank you all for your patience. We are hoping for December, more likely January delivery.
From Katty, and the California Polo Club team
Until next time!
