The first leg of the three-part 2025 Pacific Coast Arena League (PCAL) series kicked off on Friday, May 2, at the scenic Orange County Polo Club (OC Polo Club) in Silverado, California. Featuring A-Flight (7-10 goal), B-Flight (3-6 goal) and C-Flight (0-2 goal) arena competition, this year’s expanded tournament format features more opportunities for both developing and experienced players. Drawing competitors from across the Western United States, PCAL’s opening weekend marked the kickoff to a promising 14th season.
Despite a strong start on Friday, a light drizzle on Saturday evening developed into steady overnight rain, resulting in the postponement of Sundays scheduled matches. The games have been rescheduled during PCAL’s make-up weekend, slated for June 27-29. The weather delays did little to dampen the energy of participants, as a fresh lineup of competitors and equine partners remained eager to begin summer competition.
“I was so excited to finally play in PCAL! Especially because I got to play at my home club, OC Polo! And my horse Boonie won BPP!” – Diamond Diva’s Cassidy Kelly
Among those energized by the opening weekend included Will Wattanawongkiri, stating, “PCAL was an unforgettable experience. The sense of community, the intensity of play and the support from everyone made it truly special. Entering the weekend of competition alongside his girlfriend Zinta Brakus, Wattanawongkiri continued, “Zinta, who has mostly played in grass tournaments, fell in love with the atmosphere. The arena setting brought everyone closer. She enjoyed being on the sidelines, coaching, entertaining guests and being part of the action. But more importantly, I saw something shift in her. She caught the bug. She’s now more fired up than ever to compete again. Just the other day, during club chukkers, she was riding harder and faster than I’ve ever seen her. It lit a fire in both of us. Thanks to PCAL, we’re now looking to expand our string and prepare for more tournaments. We’re really hoping there’s a way to be included in the June event. It would be so meaningful to share that experience, this time, on the same team. It’s had a huge impact on us both and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the PCAL family.”
A major highlight new to the 2025 season is the redefined C-Flight, now exclusively for -1 goal players. Sponsored by the Polo Training Foundation (PTF), C-Flight reflects PCAL’s dedication to growing the foundational skills of the sport, offering polo schools from across Southern California the opportunity for new players to advance their skills in a safe, nurturing environment.
B-Flight’s Pacific Coast Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. features eight teams competing in a cross-bracket format that encourages spirited competition, while paying tribute to its rich heritage. The event is sponsored by Patton Legacy Sports, an organization dedicated to preserving General Patton’s Jr.’s athletic accomplishments and enduring impact.
B-Flight’s California Polo Club – Faris Hanna, James Steiger, Chuck Stanislawski.
The A-Flight delivered some of the weekend’s most dynamic and technically skilled matchups. Known for its fast pace and high-level play, this division showcased advanced horsemanship and strategic teamwork. Demonstrating precision, power and poise, Friday’s featured matchup saw Sermus (Garrett Bankhead, Ethan Bankhead, Faris Hanna) face off against La Luna (Charles Stanislawski, Oscar Chacon Hidalgo, Jared Sheldon*), in a fast-paced, high-scoring contest. Both sides thrilled spectators with sharp shooting and coordinated team play, but it was La Luna who emerged victorious with a commanding 22-12 victory, cementing the division as one to watch this PCAL season.
“OC was my first ever PCAL. I played in the thrilling and fast A-Flight and a fun and challenging B-Flight. I had a great experience. I met a lot of supportive people who pushed me in new ways. I can’t wait for the next PCAL at Lakeside.” – PCAL competitor Woody Dunham
On Saturday, Mallet Masters (Ethan Bankhead, Luca Abboud, Avalene Abboud) faced off against Sermus (Garrett Bankhead, Faris Hanna, Woody Dunham), with both teams demonstrating remarkable resilience and competitive spirit, as Sermus ultimately claimed the 18-13 win.
Jared Sheldon reflected on the memorable weekend, “Playing at OC Polo is always a treat, but when you add in the excitement of PCAL- it really puts it over the top. It’s amazing to have an opportunity for me to play in high-goal games at a great facility and in the same weekend have my wife [Danielle] competing in the C-Flight, playing her first tournament since her intercollegiate days 17 years ago. From the organization of the event to the facilities, it is always fun for players of every level- which is a unique opportunity. The cherry on top of course was my mare Etch-a-Sketch receiving Best Playing Pony and Danielle getting Most Valuable Player in her game. We are extremely excited for the next PCAL event and all the excitement that comes with it.”
Polo Training Foundation Sportsmanship Award recipient Clay Reed and Most Valuable Player Cinderella Von Falkenhausen, presented by OC Polo Club Owner Shelly Geiler.
For polo enthusiasts looking to gear up for the season, Jackson Hole Horse Emporium set up a mobile store at the event, offering a wide range of polo equipment and accessories.
Mallet Master’s Ethan Bankhead shared, “Playing in the super-fast, competitive high-goal match on Friday night was a great experience. This year, I’m teamed up with the Abboud siblings and we already kicked off the first game doing pretty well together. I’ve played a lot against Luca during PCAL and occasionally against Ava, so it’s great to be playing with them this year. All three of us have been through the Lakeside I/I program, so it’s pretty neat that we are playing together. Additionally, my horse Polvoro won BPP. I was super excited when I found that out because I just recently took him over and this was the first tournament that I have played with him. So, winning the award is pretty special. I can’t wait to see what the next two tournament weekends bring.”
Jackson Hole Horse Emporium Best Playing Pony Boonie, played and owned by Cassidy Kelly.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
May 16-18: Lakeside Polo Club – Lakeside, California
June 13-15: California Polo Club – Los Angeles, California (All games to be played at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center Equidome in Los Angeles, California)
June 27-29: Orange County Polo Club – Silverado California (Make-up Weekend)
Each game in PCAL awards a Most Valuable Player, Best Playing Pony and Sportsmanship honors. These awards combined with points (win, tie, loss) accumulate throughout the season to determine the recipients in the End-of-League Awards.
WEEK 1 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Most Valuable Player
Faris Hanna
Cinderella von Falkenhausen
Whitney Messens
Liliian Halushko
Oscar Chacon
Ava Abboud (x2)
Penny Steffens
Zoey Tornillo
Catherine Luong
Danielle Sheldon
Josh Hemedes
Jackson Hole Horse Emporium Best Playing Pony
Georgia, played and owned by Fawn Rinalduzzi.
Emma, played and owned by Spencer Hurtt.
Boonie, played by Cassidy Kelly and owned by Fawn Rinalduzzi.
Karma, played and owned by Katie Moore.
Etch-a-Sketch, played and owned by Jared Sheldon.
Polvoro, played and owned by Ethan Bankhead.
Pampa, played and owned by Josie Geiler.
Sharps 2, played by Woody Dunham and owned by George Dill.
Gia, played and owned by Nicole Bankhead.
Callie, played and owned by Darin Bankhead.
Manchita, played by Shelby Kokjohn and owned by Poway Polo Club.
Hannah, played by Cory Cochran and owned by Central Coast Polo Club.
Polo Training Foundation (PTF) Sportsmanship Award
Erica Chapman
Clay Reed
Laura Hauschild
Adam McCreight
Ethan Bankhead
Garrett Bankhead
Emma Blackwood
Shira Engel
Spencer Hurtt
Denise Sturrock
Peyton Boyd
Kat Greenbaum
All photos courtesy of Jennifer Alexy.