Polo’s PCO, pandemic-style

As with just about everything else that might involve an audience, polo tournaments have also been barred from permitting spectators at their matches. But rather than canceling the season, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club has carried on sans the crowds, as only polo players, team associates and club staff are allowed to attend games and practices in person. But through the virtues of virtual, spectators are indeed invited to join in viewing the competitions via livestream for the Pacific Coast Open, the big season-closing tournament and the 16-goal-rated granddaddy of them all at the seaside fields in Carpinteria.

The matches got underway last week, with eight teams – Santa Clara, Antelope, FMB, Bensoleimani.com, Dundas, Klentner Ranch, FMB Too! and Lucchese, the latter led by Montecito-raised Jeff Hall – vying for one of North America’s most prestigious trophies. The truncated schedule means the semifinals and final matches are slated for this weekend. Fortunately, the ponies don’t know anything about taking precautions for a pandemic, so the action promises to be fast and furious for Friday’s four matches (semis at 10 am and 4 pm) and Sunday’s 4 pm championship. Visit www.globalpolo.com to tune in, or www.sbpolo.com for details.