Last Saturday, August 6, The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club hosted a riveting match between the Royal Jaipur Polo Team, featuring the Maharaja of Jaipur, His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh, and a Santa Barbara team. On a blissfully perfect Santa Barbara afternoon, before a crowd of about 300, the home team won 7-6.
Accompanying the Maharaja, 18, were his mother, Princess Diya Kumari; his Colombian girlfriend; and three members of his polo team. They traveled here at the invitation of their friends, Pat and Ursula Nesbitt, and stayed with them at their Bella Vista Ranch in Summerland.
“Pacho,” as the handsome Maharaja is affectionately known, ascended to the titular throne at age 13. He is passionate about polo and is already playing in major tournaments around the world. He just completed his studies in London, and while not having decided yet on a university, he is limiting his selection to London-based schools so he can continue playing at the Guards Polo Club there.