Joel and Charlotte Baker, owners of the Circle JB Polo Ranch and hosts of the 3RD Annual Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic on July 19th, have announced the team rosters for the match. Team Platinum Performance is returning this year to defend its 2-time championship earned in 2012 and 2013 against new comer Team Happy Canyon Vineyards. The Polo Classic is a fundraiser benefitting People Helping People (PHP).
The Platinum Performance team will feature Julio Gracida, son of Polo Hall of Famer Memo Gracida, Francisco Escobar, and Joel Baker. This team is truly international with Gracida hailing from Mexico, Escobar from Costa Rica, and Baker from Buellton, CA, U.S.A.
Platinum Team patron, Mark Herthel, said that he is very happy to be able to once again sponsor a team to defend the Polo Classic championship. “We are proud to associate our brand with an event that has had such great and enthusiastic crowds and an organization like PHP that helps so many. We are equally proud to be represented by such a great team of high caliber professional polo players.”
Team Platinum Performance will be joined on the field of play by Team Happy Canyon Vineyards which will have a very strong local presence. Leading the team will be veteran Santa Ynez Valley Players, Tom and T.J. Barrack who will be joined by Mariano Fassetta from Argentina.
Host Joel Baker, a 30 year professional player himself, said that, “(I) have no doubt that the teams we are putting together for the Polo Classic will again provide a fast paced, highly competitive, and enjoyable match. It will be really exciting to have such great international and well-known local competitors playing in a beautiful setting where guests are seated so close to the action.”
Many local businesses are joining Platinum Performance, Happy Canyon Vineyards, and Circle JB Polo Ranch to sponsor the Polo Classic, make it a memorable event and raise much needed funding for basic needs and youth programs for non-profit PHP. These additional major sponsors include UVA Design Studio, Montecito Bank &Trust, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, First Bank, Tsubo Footwear and SMOOTH Transportation.
PHP’s Erica Valdes, Development Associate, said that there are still opportunities available to support the Polo Classic and PHP. For more information about sponsorship benefits, patron levels, or program acknowledgements contact Erica at erica@syvphp.org or 686-0295 x 103.
To purchase all VIP and General Admission tickets for the Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic on Saturday, July 19th visit www.syvphp.org/events/poloclassic or call 686-0295.
VIP tickets are $250 each and include parking, shuttle to field, champagne reception, comfortable tented seating, catered lunch, and hat contest drawings. General admission tickets at only $10 each, ($5 children 12 and under) include parking, shuttle to the field, and field level seating close by the action. Food and beverages, including hot dogs, hamburgers, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Doors open at 10:00 A.M. for VIP and 11:30 P.M. for General Admission; match begins at 1:30 PM.
For more information about non-profit human services provider and event beneficiary, People Helping People, go to www.syvphp.org.
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