Month: October 2012

Third Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic to benefit Will Rogers State Park

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On Saturday afternoon, celebrities, VIPs and friends gathered at Will Rogers State Historic Park for the third-annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Los Angeles.  Remember the first one in 2010?.  Celebrating the sport of polo, the highly-anticipated event returned to the West Coast for a third year to continue to spread the excitement of polo.  Co-hosts Rachel Zoe, Rodger Berman, Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier (Nacho’s recently pregnant wife!), and Vanessa Kay, President of Veuve Clicquot US, welcomed Angelenos to Will Rogers State Historic Park for a beautiful day of polo, sun, and champagne.

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 Nacho Figueras, wife Delfina Blaquier and CEO Vueve Clicquot Jean-Marc LaCave.

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Kicking off the game, Ali Larter, threw out the ceremonial first toss and the match between team Black Watch and team Nespresso was underway.  

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Guests enjoyed the champagne fete with an Indian-inspired theme, celebrating the global influence of the sport of polo.  Sipping Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Rose and Vintage Rose 1995, polo-goers soaked in the spectacular day with beats by DJ Ronnie and hit the dance floor when the Belly Twins took to the stage.  

Team Black Watch beat team Nespresso 10-9 in an exciting fast-paced match!  Scoring 5 goals, Nacho Figueras was awarded MVP by Rachel Zoe. 

 
Photos by John Sciulli/Getty Images.

Thank you!

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On behalf of the San Diego Polo Club, we want to say thank YOU for making this year our best season yet! 

Thanks to each and every one of you for supporting the San Diego Polo Club during one of our most crucial and successful seasons!

Thank you to our amazing Sunday Polo staff: Robyn, Paige, Elgin, Emily, Leah, Darlene, Gillian, Raina, Corey, Dustin, Jonathan, and Kirstin.

Thank you to Best Beverage for serving us delicious refreshments and and the Wild Thyme Company for a tasty lunch.

Thank you to all of our advertisers and sponsors: Classic Party Rentals, Pantofola d’Oro, Brown Forman, American National, Land Rover San Diego, Cinepolis, The Wild Thyme Company, Best Beverage Catering, Burlap, Ranch & Coast Magazine, Riviera Magazine, Giving Back Magazine, Adeptus Nutrition,   AirOptions, Anthony’s Shoe Repair, Bentley Group,  BOP Design, Centurion Jets, Charco Design & Build, Club Polo Companies, Dahlia Strong, Desert Hay, Diamond Boutique, Dolce, Dr. Stuart Kincaid, Flavor ,  Hilton Del Mar  , Hoehn Jaguar, International Law Group, Jackson Hole Emporium, JetSuite, Julie Myers Bruun Mortgage, La Martina, Lisa Bosstick,  LLG Attorney at Law, Loghman Jewelers, Modern Dentistry of Torrey Hills, Penske Automotive/BMW Mini Cooper, Coastal Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, Red Mare Winery, Ruth’s Chris, Saddle Up! Tack, San Dieguito Equine Group, Sew Write, Shade Shack,  Siegel & Thurston, Sushi In The Ranch,  Spice Wellness  , Studio Felando, Symbolic Motors, and Wink.

And of course, all of our charities: Sentebale, TERI Inc., San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, Tender Loving Canines, Awakenings Health Institute.  Together, we raised over $80,000 in 14 days.

Thank you to all of our founding and playing members, the grooms and grounds staff that make Sunday Polo possible, Graham Bray, Gilberto Zamorra and the grounds crew, Heather Chronert, Lindsey Chronert, Vanessa Shapiro, Missy Kobel, Steve Lewandoski, Billy Ramos, the Penultimate Club and our social members, Kimo Huddleston, Gillian Young, everyone that took a lesson in our San Diego Polo School, all of our sponsors and advertisers, and of course, each one of you that signed our petition and supported us.

Things are looking good for the San Diego Polo Club and we’re optimistic that we’ll all be back here for the 2013 season.

Finals of USPA Spreckels Cup Ends 2012 SD Polo Season with Huge Success!

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This past Sunday marked the celebrated USPA Spreckels Cup and Closing Day of the 2012 Polo Season!  While Sunday harbored bittersweet undertones, polo enthusiasts went out in style-literally.  Over 1300 guests adorned in 1920s, Gatsby attire we in attendance to cheer on the two competing teams of Hanalei Bay. Not only was last Sunday one of the biggest events of the season, but the San Diego Polo Club also hosted their second largest Sunday Polo crowd.

Season sponsor, Land Rover of San Diego also added to the lavish luxury of the afternoon by hosting an appreciation party in the Polo Pavilion.  In addition, guests were presented with samplers of Korbel’s California Champagne from the back of a Range Rover during the infamous Pretty Woman Divot Stomp.  SDPC’s partnership with Land Rover proved to be an advantageous one as two of the club’s members purchased Range Rovers that day!  Congrats on the new cars!

Anthony Ballard, a social member at SDPC, provided polo onlookers with a spirited performance of the National Anthem. Other musical guests on Sunday included Belly Up sponsored music by Crush Effect with live saxophone keys further cultivating the Gatsby-esque atmosphere.

Antique biplanes, old cars, and the Gatsby theme really brought out the comraderie and fun at the San Diego Polo Club!

While there was only one polo match on Sunday, fans were not deprived of a thrilling performance of athleticism, teamwork, and awe-inspiring horsemanship.  The first and only match of the day was a ten-goal competition featuring Hanalei Bay I versus Hanalei Bay II.  The tension and excitement in the air was tangible as SDPC’s President, Ron Bonaguidi went neck-in-neck against his wife Krista Bonaguidi for the coveted title of Spreckels Cup Champion.

Mariano Fassetta, of team Hanalei II, scored the first goal of the match.   Fassetta’s point was soon answered by Santiago Trotz of team Hanalei I.  Fassetta took advantage of the first chukker to prove he was a force to be reckoned with as he went on to single-handedly score an addition two goals for his team.  In comparison to the first, the second chukker was a quiet one as both teams regrouped and reevaluated their game plans. Marcos Bignoli and Santiago Trotz scored a goal apiece for Hanalei I ending the second chukker at Hanaeli I: 3, Hanalei II: 4.

Hanalei Bay II increased their lead by two points in the third chukker on behalf of Chris Collins Jr. and Mariano Fassetta.  In the fourth chukker, Hanalei II employed impressive defensive skills preventing Hanalei I from scoring a single point.  Hanalei Bay II took advantage of the fourth chukker to solidify their lead.  Mariano Fassetta started off the shooting spree by scoring two consecutive goals for Hanalei II followed by two points by Jared Sheldon and Chris Collins Jr.

Going into the fifth chukker, Hanalei II had a six-point lead on Hanalei I. While Chris Collins Jr. of Hanalei II scored the first goal of the chukker, Marcos Bignoli and Santeigo Trotz scored a goal apiece for Hanalei I.

The final chukker is always an enthralling one but this past Sunday, the sixth chukker took on an even more heartfelt meaning as both teams strived for the title of Spreckels Cup Champion.  With his eye on the prize, Chris Collins Jr. of Hanalei I scored two consecutive goals to start off the chukker.   Unwilling to hand over the victory, Patrick Uretz of Hanalei I answered Collins with two consecutive goals of his own.  While Marcos Bignoli scored the final concluding point of the day for Hanalei Bay I, ultimately it was Hanalei II who took the win and the recognition as USPA Spreckels Cup Champions- Hanalei I: 9, Hanalei II: 14.

Not only were the teams recognized for their talent at large but also Mariano Fassetta, of team Hanalei II, was decorated as the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 Polo Season.  Fassetta was presented with a $100 gift card to SDPC’s After Party Sponsor, Burlap.  In addition, the Best Playing Pony title was awarded (in the form of delectably crunchy carrots) to Pampeano owned by Santiago Trotz.

Thank you to everyone who made this one of the most memorable Summer Polo Seasons that San Diego has ever known!

More photos here.