This is it, our Argentina trip to Puesto Viejo (Nov 15–22) is filling up fast, and Wednesday, August 12 is the last day to lock in your spot.

To be confirmed, you need to have paid Puesto Viejo directly. If you've bought your flight but haven't sent payment to Maria at Puesto Viejo yet, you are not confirmed. Everyone should have an email introduction to Maria already, so if you still need to pay, please check your inbox (and spam folder).

Come hang out, catch up, and enjoy an evening at the club outside of lessons and chukkers. 🐴🥂

💛 Bring a Little Something to Share
Food for 4–6 people, two 12-packs of drinks (beer, sparkling water, soda), or a cash/Venmo contribution, whatever works for you that evening. Nothing fancy, just pitch in and enjoy the evening with your CPC crew. 🥂

📲 Look for the Partiful invite and RSVP, we need an accurate headcount for tables and setup.

🙌 Can you come early? Join us around 6:00–6:30 PM to help set up before the potluck starts. Extra hands for setup and breakdown are always appreciated!

Sunday, August 30 • 3:30–5:30 PM
Santa Barbara Polo Club

Join the CPC crew for a field side afternoon at the Pacific Coast Open Finals! 🏆🐴🥂

CPC is treating everyone to a designated field side tailgate space for our group, where we’ll gather for an elevated potluck grazing table and bar while enjoying some of the best high-goal polo on the West Coast.

🥂 Help Us Build the PCO Grazing Table

We’d love for everyone joining us to bring a little something to help make the afternoon special.

Think charcuterie, artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, beautiful bite-size appetizers, specialty snacks and desserts — along with tailgate favorites like champagne, whiskey, tequila, sparkling water and other refreshing drinks.

Bring something you’d enjoy sharing with the group and adding to a fun, elevated field side spread.

If bringing something isn’t practical, a cash or Venmo contribution is always appreciated and will help us fill in whatever we need for the grazing table, bar and tailgate supplies.

CPC will take care of the tailgate — you bring a little something to help make the party. 🐴🥂🏆

📲 For now, SAVE THE DATE and look for the Partiful invitation to RSVP. We need an accurate head count for planning. Tailgate location, parking and arrival directions will be sent the week before the event.

🙌 CPC CREW — WE NEED A FEW EXTRA HANDS!

We’re collecting names now for our setup and breakdown crew. This is a much bigger lift than our regular club potlucks since everything — tents, tables, chairs, coolers, food, drinks and supplies — has to be hauled in, set up and packed out.

If you can help with setup, please plan to arrive around 1:00–1:30 PM, ahead of the 3:30 PM match. We’ll also need a few hands afterward to help break everything down and load up.

If you can help with setup, breakdown — or both — please let us know when you RSVP. Many hands make this one much easier, and your help is very much appreciated! ❤️

Just a little friendly reminder to remember the amazing team behind the scenes who helps get our ponies ready, assists with tack and horse changes, and takes such wonderful care of them before and after we ride. 💕

As a general guideline, $10–$20 per rider is always a thoughtful tip, and of course, a little extra is always appreciated when the team has gone above and beyond or you’re riding multiple horses.

Don’t have cash? No worries at all! Just reach out to Katty, she can help you take care of a tip by credit card or Venmo or Zelle or Paypal. 😊

A little love goes a long way, and our grooms and coaches truly appreciate it.

Thank you for helping us take care of the people who take such great care of our ponies! ❤️🐴

Great news, Ismael is back and in full swing with his teaching schedule. We’ve missed him at the club and are so thrilled to have him back!

Big congratulations to Peter Grace on the purchase of his new pony, El Gallo! 🐴

🚪 Open Gate = Safety Zone

Anytime the gate is open, treat the 10–15 yards around it as a slow zone — no exceptions. Riders may be mounting, adjusting tack, picking up mallets, or entering and exiting the arena.

Start slowing your horse well before the gate — don’t canter all the way up and stop five yards out. Approach under control and give riders, grooms, and everyone on deck plenty of space.

Bottom line: Gate open = slow down, and no hitting the ball toward or into that area.

👀 Safety Before the Shot

Control of your horse and awareness of who’s around you always come before getting another touch on the ball. Don’t ride into another player’s swing or sacrifice control just to make a play.

When the whistle blows, slow down and immediately become aware of the horses and riders around you.

🟨🟥 Yellow & Red Cards

We use the card system to keep the game safe, sportsmanlike, and under control.

First yellow: A clear warning that the behavior needs to stop — arguing with an umpire, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc.
Second yellow: Becomes a red card.
Red card: Two minutes out, with the team playing short and no substitute.

It’s always okay to respectfully ask an umpire what they saw or why a call was made. What we want to avoid is continuing to argue once it’s been explained.

Ask. Learn. Move on. ❤️

Remember, you’re seeing the play from your own perspective. The umpire is watching all six horses and riders and the entire developing play. We won’t always agree with every call, but respecting it and moving on keeps the game safe and fun for everyone.

⏱ Timing Duties — Every Second Counts

If you’re on the clock, keep your finger ready on start/stop and stay locked in on the umpire’s whistle.

Seconds add up quickly over a chukker. When it’s your turn to play, you want every second you’re owed — please give your fellow players that same attention when it’s your turn to time.From Katty, and the California Polo Club team
Until next time!

🗣 Speak Up Early

Loose shoe, slipping saddle, questionable tack, or a horse acting off? Tell an umpire, coach, or groom right away.

Same goes for riders. If you’re lightheaded, overheated, or just not feeling right, speak up. We’d always rather catch something early.

🥵 Beat the Heat — Come Prepared

We’re still deep in summer heat, so please bring your own water, drinks, electrolytes, and any snacks you’ll want while you’re at the club.

A quick barn FYI: CPC does not stock or sell beverages. Anything you may occasionally see in the fridge is generally leftover from one of our potlucks or socials, so please don’t count on drinks being available when you arrive.

Barn tip: Bring your drinks already chilled in a small insulated cooler or lunch tote with an ice pack. That way, you’ll have something cold and ready when you come off your horse — especially if you’re riding multiple chukkers or spending a few hours at the club.

Forgot something? No worries — there’s a 7-Eleven just down the street for a quick drink or snack run. 😊

Bring more than you think you’ll need, keep hydrating throughout the day, and don’t wait until you’re already depleted.

🐴 Want to Learn More Horsemanship?

Come learn the hands-on side of horse care! Signup thru Katty.

Arrive about two hours before your lesson to help prepare and tack the ponies, or stay afterward to learn untacking, washing, and post-ride care.

It’s a great way to become a more well-rounded horse person — and a better polo player