Kathy Batchelor has traded in regulation-sized ponies for ponies!

Pearls Charity Cup had a great turnout, raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation of New England; shown from left: Judi Paletta (twin sister), Dan and Agnes Keating Photo courtesy of Rod Harris Photography

Catching Up:

Tropical Storm Fay marched ever so slowly through Florida, leaving a serious mess behind. The most dramatic (if you discount canoeing on the polo fields at Gulfstream) was the tornado that hit the PB Equine Clinic - thankfully, no horses were hurt, but one three stall barn blew completely away and the horse was left standing, safe and sound - go figure. The sport complex is completely caved in and several barns were severely damaged. The track of the tornado was from south to north along 120th, cut across behind the score board at IPC and behind the stadium/club area across the back fields, cut through George Rawlings barn and then continued on where it wrecked PB Equine, then hopped over and touched down at the Player's Club and then went elsewhere in Wellington. Hospital technician Lisi Byra was spending the night at the clinic and saw the tornado warning on television. She heard a roar outside, slammed a stall door and ran into the lab. When things quieted down, she found the mare she was babysitting wandering in the courtyard completely unharmed.

Catching up: Torben Hanson and his wife Erica (who used to help Pat Fischer with her show horses) and two kids are living in New York, and says he's playing polo again at Old Westbury Club and doing some umpiring and coaching as well. It is great to have such a fun and friendly face back in polo again.

Vic Ramon is the new Governor of the Southwest Circuit! We're told that the Ladies Polo Auxiliary of Texas campaigned for him and will continue their mission of promoting and supporting polo in his territory and welcome the opportunity to work with someone as dedicated to it as they are. Though H. Ben Taub will be a hard man to replace, it is felt that Vic will do his very best for all clubs and members in the Southwest territory. Congratulations, Vic!

Gregory Ross hosted a Governors Cup kick off party at his Santa Fe home (he commutes between here and Dallas) with appetizers, dinner, drinks and Bocci. Since May Lou was in Dallas and she's such a great chef we confess to being curious as to where the food was coming from!

Cachi Garcia-Velez is following in his father's footsteps, playing on Grant's Farm team in Santa Barbara with Andy, Jeff Hall and Freddy Mannix. Back in the days, Cali played with each one of the Busch boys.

Bumps and bruises: Lorenzo Morales, a 1-goal player on Santa Fe One team, took a mallet to the face during the finals. He was cleaned up, bandaged and got right back in the game. He must have had a rush of adrenaline because he scored goal after goal immediately upon returning. His retaliation goals weren't enough to keep Santa Fe II team from winning the Cup, however. Marla Kokesh's team won, with Cuko Escapite getting MVP.
Will wonders never cease? It is rumored that Samantha Charles has been hitting a polo ball again after a four year hiatus and shoulder surgery and we hear she will play in the Seniors in Aiken this fall. Seems Chime Bell Polo Club is having a USPA Seniors Tournament this October. Looks like several "oldies but goodies" are dusting off their mallets and even a few who wish they were old enough!! What a switch Polo is bustling in Aiken but then most of us already know that. It seems even the "high goal clubs" are vying for the lower goals. Chime Bell who hosted the four-goal last fall has decided to run it again as well as a two goal. So if you didn't already know it or aren't already invested in the east coast hot spot for low to medium goal polo, better sign up to get your spot in Aiken.