Welcome Players!
Hello Everyone,
The winter 2023/2024 interscholastic season is coming up quickly. After a super successful 2022/23 season, we are looking forward to an even better 2023/24 season! Last year our Varsity Team won the Western Regional Tournament and qualified for NATIONALS! Our only loss all season was to Houston in the National semifinal. This year we are hoping for a repeat. In order to step up our game, I will be requiring regular attendance from all of our players! Polo needs to be a priority (second to family and schoolwork of course) if we plan to compete with the best in the nation.
The following is a breakdown of our season schedule. Players are expected to attend a minimum of 2 practices a week. Varsity players are expected to play club chukkars on both Saturdays and Sundays when we are not traveling for games.
Team Meeting this Saturday September 16th after chukkars at South Bay! If you cannot attend, please contact Fran for season details and questions.
Weekly Practice Schedule for October 1 to October 24:
Tuesday chukkars at 5:30pm at Horse Park (tack at 4:30pm)
Thursday at 4:30pm at South Bay (tack at 4:00pm) Chukkars on the field until dark
Sunday mornings at 10:00am (tack at 9:00am)
Club Chukkars on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am
Weekly Practice Schedule for November 1 to November 19 and January 1- February 25:
Tuesday chukkars at 4:00pm at Horse Park (tack at 3:30pm)
Thursday at 6:00pm at South Bay (tack at 5:00pm)
Sunday mornings at 10:00am (tack at 9:00am)
This year I am hoping to have an Open Team and a Girls team. I am considering Helena, Fae, Morgan, Matthew and possibily Jens for the Open team. For the Girl's team, I'm expecting Sharky, Lili, Emily and Natalie. Both teams will practice regularly together. There will be days that one team will play and the other team will be expected to show up to help and support. Teamwork and supporting the other players is very important for our team dynamic.
In addition to our weekly practices, we will be traveling to games/clinics through out the season. If you want to be a starter on your respective teams, the Jared Sheldon clinic in Indio AND Mustang Madness are MANDATORY. Attendance alone does not guarantee you a starting position on the team, but commitment to the team and regular practices will be given very high priority when selecting starters.
Tournaments in BOLD are highly recommended to attend if not required.
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October 14&15 Founder's Cup at Horse Park Polo Club
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October 27-29 Mustang Madness at Central Coast Polo Club – (please see info below) MANDATORY
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November 4&5 Middle School Tournament at Central Coast Polo Club- (5th-8th grade only)
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December 16-17 Corky Linfoot Clinic at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, Ca -
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Dec 27-29 Arena Clinic with Jared Sheldon in Indio, Ca – * MANDATORY
- Jan 13&14 MMM Youth Tournament at Eldorado Polo Club (outdoor)
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Jan 19-21 Santa Barbara Showdown @ Santa Barbara Polo Arena
- *The Varsity Team is already Registered. The Girls Team is encouraged to go as well.
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February 2-4 Western Open Preliminary @ Central Coast Polo Club *We will likely qualify for a bye for this tournament
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February 9-11 Western Girls' Regional @ Lakeside Polo Club
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February 16-18Western Open Regional @ Lakeside Polo Club *MANDATORY
- (Must win Prelim tournament or get a bye to qualify to compete.)
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March 5-10 National Interscholastic Championship @ Brookshire Polo Club, TX
- (Must win regional Tournament to compete) Both Open and Girl's Teams
In addition to playing ability and experience, to qualify to play with the varsity team, Varsity players must own their pony or have a long-term rental agreement to play with the varsity team. The varsity players are asking much more of the horses than the South Bay school string can handle now. If you’re interested in leasing a horse for the season or are unsure if they qualify for the varsity team, please contact Fran ASAP to discuss the options available.
Costs (excludes travel/away game costs):
Players with their own horse(s) not stabled at South Bay: $1000/season
Players with their own horse(s) in full care at South Bay: included in board (board is $1650/mo for full care). Players are responsible for grooming for themselves at games and maintaining/cleaning their equipment. Hauling to Horsepark is included.
Middle School players (including 2 arena chukkars on Tuesday (10/1-10/31) or Saturdays (11/1-3/1)): $1200/month
JV/Middle School players (practices only, no chukkars): $850/month
Please let me know if your child would like to join the team this year.
Our first tournament is Mustang Madness on October 27-29 at Central Coast Polo Club in Los Osos, CA. I have tentatively entered both a JV AND Varsity South Bay teams, but I need confirmation from at least 3 players from Varsity and 3 players from JV to participate. Cost is $125/chukkar to rent horses or $200 to haul your horse to CCPC (plus overnight board fees of $20/night). Coaching is $300/game split between the players.
I need to know by Friday morning September 22 if your child is able to come and compete.
