Forming an unstoppable presence in the finale of the 12-goal series at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California, FMB Too/Folded Hills (Will Busch, Juan Curbelo, Santiago Wulff, Henry Walker) emerged with an incredible 6-0 record in the Pacific Coast Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup. Their triumph in the final was well deserved, as they were forced to dig deep to defeat Antelope (Grant Palmer, Santiago Llavallol, Jimmy Wright*, Santiago Trotz) 14-13 in a captivating overtime win. Curbelo was awarded MVP while Wright’s mare, Coco, was awarded Best Playing Pony honors. Walker’s Constanza was awarded Amateur Best Playing Pony.
FMB Too!/Folded Hills’ Santiago Wulff hits a nearside foreshot.
Along with the finals of the Pacific Coast Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup, the end of the 12-goal season meant recognizing players’ outstanding efforts over the course of the three-part series. As voted on by the players, Juan Guerrero of Los Padres was chosen as Season MVP and Kristos “Keko” Magrini* of Los Padres was selected as the player with the Best String.
Most Valuable Player Juan Curbelo winds up for an offside backshot.
As the 12-goal season wraps up, Santa Barbara will see two weeks of rest for the ponies, players, and fields, but the action will start again soon. This year, 20-goal polo will return to Santa Barbara, with the Robert Skene Trophy, the America Cup™, the Silver Cup® and the Pacific Coast Open, all of which are guaranteed to offer thrilling and competitive polo.
FMB Too!/Folded Hills’ Will Busch celebrates the championship victory.
*Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini is an Active Team USPA Member and Jimmy Wright is Team USPA alumnus. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.
All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska.