Join in the Fun, Polo, Ponies and People!

For more info please contact 

Melanja Jones 

melanja@sbpolo.com

Club chukkers begin on April 20 with our special early bird rate. Early bird chukkers will continue though out the spring season. Our much anticipated 2013 tournament season begins on Friday May 3rd and we officially kick off the polo season on May 5th, the following Sunday. You don’t need to be a member of the club to enjoy world class polo in a stunning setting. The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club hosts practices and tournament games throughout the week from the months of April through October. The public is welcome on all of these days, with Sundays being the Tournament Finals and the only day we charge a small admission fee of $10.  Please call the Club at 805-684-6683 or check out the tournament section of the website for detailed game times.

In the scene at Sunday Polo: 

3300 Via Real Carpinteria, CA 93013

• Sunday matches are held on all fields throughout the day with the main games being played at 1 and 3 pm on the field in front of the grandstands and the gates open at noon.
• There is grandstand seating available for all general admission spectators.
• NO PETS ALLOWED
• Tickets are $10 per person for general admission on Sundays only
• No outside alcohol allowed
• Field-side cabanas are available to rent.  Contact the Polo Clubhouse Manager at 805-684-6683 or events@sbpolo.com.
• You may purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive.  During our High Goal it is suggested that you arrive 30 minutes early in order to get good seats.
• Our Centennial cafe is open on Fridays and Sundays for your convenience and serves delicious and fresh weekly specials.  Salads, Sandwiches, Soups, Burgers and much more. No outside food or beverage is allowed.
• The grandstands are not shaded so bring lots of sunscreen!
• Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club has a wide variety of merchandise for purchase at our Polo Boutuique located on the ocean side of the grandstands.
• If you would like to know when a specific team is playing, please check the Polo Schedule and Results page of the website
• Dress code is casual; however, many people enjoy dressing up.
• The Divot Stomp takes place at half time for both the 1 and 3 pm games on Sundays.  Meander out onto the field, help turn over the divots made by the galloping horses and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly.

Field & Time:

The field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, making it the size of nine football fields. Teams switch goals after every goal scored. There are six periods of play called “chukkers” with a 10 minute break after the 3rd chukker. Each Chukker is 7 minutes and 30 seconds long. The clock is only stopped if there is a foul, a broken piece of tack, or an injured horse. The clock is not stopped if the ball goes over the sideboards, a player falls off and is not injured or a goal is scored.

Players, Mounts and Teams:

There are four Players on each team. Players are given a handicap by the USPA which rates them compared to other players. The best players are rated 10, new players are -2. Ratings are based on control of the ball, riding skill, quality of horses and knowledge of the game. Team handicaps are the total of all four players’ handicaps. Players change horses after every chukker and occasionally during chukkers if their horse is tired. Players bring 8-10 horses to the field to play.

Fouls:

There are two mounted umpires and one referee in the grandstands. Fouls occur when a player intersects the line of play at a dangerous angle. Players may be awarded penalty shots if they are fouled.

Play:

Horses may come over the red side boards but if the ball is hit over, play is stopped and the ball is thrown back in by the umpire. Players can hit the ball with their mallet from either side of their horse, but must hold their mallet in their right hand. Players may hook another player’s mallet with their mallet to prevent them from hitting the ball.