SANTA BARBARA, CA. (May 29th, 2022) – On a gorgeous sunny day, the Santa Barbara Polo Club hosted two finals. Thousands of people flocked to the club to witness the action and enjoy the display of sportsmanship, athleticism, and horsemanship. The featured final took place at 4 PM between the seasoned Los Padres team and the newbies to a final, Mokarow Farms.
Los Padres took off with royal force and assertion in the first half, owning the scoreboard for three chukkers straight. 16 year-old Keko Magrini stood at the forefront of the offense, contributing seven goals total in just three chukkers.
Mokarow Farms kept in the mix, with a penalty conversion from Facundo Obregon and three goals total from brother duo Robert and Brendon Stenzel. However, Los Padres played impressive polo that put them in a commanding lead of five goals going into the second half.
The tides changed in the second half, after Coach Todd Offen for Mokarow Farms clearly made some strategy adjustments that proved advantageous. Robert Stenzel had an impressive fourth chukker, mounted on a large thoroughbred chestnut mare that allowed him to accomplish two goals and gain a penalty one for Mokarow Farms. This left the score at 11-8 to Los Padres at the end of the fourth chukker.
The fifth chukker displayed wide open polo with many near misses. During the entire seven and a half minutes of play, only a few spot hits were called. Facundo Obregon scored a running goal for Mokarow Farms, and Prince Harry made a stellar contribution of his own with an impressive goal. This made the score 12-9 to Los Padres going into the final chukker.
In the sixth chukker every player and horse came out with all the fire to win the game. Notably, Obregon mounted a chestnut gelding that changed the entire game. Obregon managed to pull off three goals and gain a penalty one while aboard this mare. He traded these goals with Magrini, but a final backshot goal from Brendon Stenzel in the last minute of play sent the game into overtime, tied 14 all.
The overtime was intense, yet quick and decisive. Off a broken play on the boards, Nacho Figueras saw the trophy in the future and kicked his horse into gear to steal the ball on the nearside and run all the way to goal, finishing the golden goal off a neck-shot. Los Padres won the Lisle Nixon Memorial Final 15-14.
For his consistent and passionate display of polo, Nacho Figueras was presented the Most Valuable Player award. The chestnut gelding played by Facundo Obregon and owned by Kevin Mokarow “Machitos Crawford,” was the Best Playing Pony of the match. “Casita Robada” played by Prince Harry was the Best Playing Amateur Pony.
Dean Mullins Tournament Final
The Dean Mullins Tournament Final was played between Farmers and Merchants Bank and Dundas II. Neither of these teams had made it to a finals before, so both came ready and motivated to the field. Farmers and Merchants Bank played with one substitution for sponsor, Danny Walker, with Bayne Bossom playing in his place.
The first chukker began with fast competitive polo. Wesley Bryan quickly put two goals up for Dundas II. Yet, Farmers and Merchants Bank capitalized on some mistakes from Dundas II, managing to secure a penalty two conversion and a penalty one. Lucas Criado also put a goal on the board to make it 3-2 to FMB after the first chukker.
For the rest of the first half, Dundas II took the reins back. Each player on the team had crucial plays and it was a high scoring two chukkers. In the third chukker, Cable Magness had a crucial assist stealing the ball off a knock-in with a nearside back shot that Fasetta was able to finish off. The half finished 8-6 to Dundas II.
Dundas II played classic polo that allowed them to dominate the rest of the game. FMB scored a few goals and garnered another penalty two conversion, but the match was decided. Dundas II came out on top 16-10.
Wes Bryan, the high goal scorer for Dundas II was awarded Most Valuable Player. The fourth chukker chestnut gelding, “Sargento,” owned and played by Santi Von Wernich was the Best Playing Pony. The next three weeks that finish the 12-goal spring series at Santa Barbara will be the Cheval Athletics USPA Intracircuit.
About Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is the premier destination for summer polo. Players and Patrons from all across the globe call Santa Barbara their home for the summer, bringing world class polo to the Southern California coast. We welcome spectators back to our club to enjoy the matches in 2022. Please visit the “Spectator Information” page for more information. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our website, www.sbpolo.com.
