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PACIFIC COAST ARENA LEAGUE SEASON AWARDS

Oct 01, 2019

Spectacular aerial view of the Orange Country Polo Club in Silverado, California.
Spectacular aerial view of the Orange Country Polo Club in Silverado, California.

The Orange County Polo Club was pleased to host the 2019 Pacific Coast Arena League (PCAL) season awards party at their brand-new polo facility in Silverado, California. An innovative arena polo competition unlike any other, PCAL has been played every summer in California for over 10 years. An arena tournament, players have the opportunity to compete throughout the season at different clubs for cumulative points with high-point earners scoring season-end awards. Four clubs participated in this year’s league with tournaments hosted by the California Polo Club (Los Angeles, California), Lakeside Polo Club (Lakeside, California), Orange County Polo Club and the Poway Polo Club (Poway, California). The clubs each hosted a tournament throughout the summer and the party was a way to celebrate another successful season and the individual high-point winners of each division.

Robin Sanchez, Governor-At-Large Denny Geiler, Dave Myrick, Jennifer Alexy.
Robin Sanchez, Governor-At-Large Denny Geiler, Dave Myrick, Jennifer Alexy.

This year’s season awards party featured a tequila tasting provided by Elevaso Tequila benefiting the non-profit, Polo Pony Rescue and a live band. As a complement to the end of season party, a USPA Umpire Clinic was taught by Robin Sanchez and well attended by Southern California’s arena players.

Best Playing Pony Awardees: Kelli Newton, Ethan Bankhead, Heather Perkins.
Best Playing Pony Awardees: Kelli Newton, Ethan Bankhead, Heather Perkins.

While PCAL is an individual points league, special recognition was given to the two teams who stayed together for all of the tournaments, OC Polo and Poway Feisty Llamas. Sportsmanship Awards went to Remy Glasgow, Blake Bertea and Kim Foy. Best Playing Pony Awards were presented to Louie (owned by Ethan Bankhead), La Perla (owned by Rancho Silverado) and Lovely (owned by Heather Perkins). Most Valuable Player in the A Flight was Garrett Bankhead of Lakeside Polo Club. The B Flight Most Valuable Player was Heather Perkins (Orange County Polo Club Manager) and C Flight Most Valuable Player was awarded to Sydney Morris of Poway Polo Club.

PCAL polo action from a drone perspective.
PCAL polo action from a drone perspective.

Flight division awards went to the following individuals:

A-Flight Champion: Andy Schnoebelen and Reserve Champion, Garrett Bankhead

B-Flight Champion: Bekah Segien and Reserve Champion, Ricardo Caravetta

C-Flight Champion (three-way tie): Sydney Morris, Emily Andre and Jasmine Lu

Overall High-Point Champion: Ethan Bankhead and Reserve Champion Sydney Morris