Johnny Vega, Atlantic Records recording artist (left) with Toy Wash and her husband John Wash, President of IPC.

Photo by Alan Fabricant

Catching up: Podger El Effendi is still flying high . . .  with his falcons. Life is good, he says, although he hasn’t held a mallet in some time, you can still find him watching from the sidelines once in a while at Santa Barbara.

Our buddy, Ed Scanlon (you remember his very entertaining My Line column from our tabloid days, right?) has been named manager of equine development by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce.

The VERY high goal players rolled into town the first week of February to begin practice for the 26 goal tournament at IPC.  Adolfo Cambiaso is as always, amazing the crowds with his sheer ability.  There are 9 teams registered for the 26 goal, which started mid February: Black Watch, Las Monjitas, Audi, Lechuza Caracas, Orchard Hill, Crab Orchard, Grand Champions, Pony Express, and Valiente.

Celebrity watching is in full swing at IPC, and there are always opportunities for the be-and-be-seen crowd. Recording artist Johnny Vega was out for a Sunday game just recently.

Polo enthusiast Steve Lieber is opening a new restaurant in March called RACKS, Downtown Eatery and Tavern, at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida to compliment the other two restaurants he currently manages; Table 42, Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar on Mizner Blvd., Boca, and Racks Italian Kitchen on the Intracoastal Waterway in North Miami Beach.  He’s preparing for the American Pizza Championship, and then he’s on to the World Pizza Championships in Paris! (who knew there was one?)  Steve is often seen at all the games he can make, but always on Sundays around IPC (usually wearing one of the fabulous Outback 40 Goal shirts or fleeces).

Fun at IPC Sunday games! Did you hear about the Indian “war of the tailgaters”? Erin O’Brien helped two teams with props, Josephine and Frank Damilio were very festive, with celebrity performer Connie Frances attending.

John Wash of IPC is rumored to be taking polo lessons, which will help with his overall knowledge of the game!

Club news: Polo with Pedro is in its sixth year of celebrating the life of Pedro Morrison and his commitment to the mission of the YMCA of the Palm Beaches. Approximately 400 guests from Palm Beach to Wellington joined together to honor Pedro’s memory during the finals of the CV Whitney Cup on February 28 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. This event brought together the area’s finest philanthropists and sports enthusiasts for a cause that no one can deny is truly deserving; building Strong Kids, Strong Families and Strong Communities!  The celebrity bartending night with polo players Nacho Figueras, Nick Roldan, Marc Ganzi, and Kris Kampsen at the White Horse Tavern in Wellington, also benefitted Polo With Pedro.

Wedding bells:  Kathie Roberts was given a ring for Christmas from none other than Mr. Wright!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to you both. Kathie now lives on a cool farm in Aiken where she and Chuck Wright survived a barn fire and rebuilt within months to continue on their very happy life in Aiken.

New baby department:  Megan and JP Godard welcomed Lane Godard into the world on January 21.  Lane is doing fine, and we hear JP is already looking for a pony for his new son.  But that’s probably just a rumor.

Kendra Cicieta has resurfed again!  Rumor has it she is joining the management team for the Gay Polo event on Saturday, April 3.  And speaking of the Gay Polo Tournament, Tony Coppola has accepted the job as announcer.

Wow – John Wigdahl, President of the South Florida Chapter of the Gay Polo League has been invited to play this coming week in the Philippines. John is a two goal player and in his “hayday” he was a five goal player.

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