Shelby's Social Diary

The best private party of the summer? Santa Barbara polo a sweet diversion forHouston expats

His team won the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open and she co-hosted a lavish partyfor the polo teams.
Photo by Baron Spafford
Houstonians Sandi and Bill Nicholson spun Texas magic at their Solana estate inMontecito, Calif., where two Ferrari FFs greeted guests.
Photo by Baron Spafford
Guests at the Bombardier table at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet club seasonfinale.
Photo by David Lominska
Photo by Baron Spafford
Photo by Baron Spafford
Photo by Baron Spafford
Photo by Baron Spafford

And you thought that Aspen, Nantucket and Pebble Beach had the lock on the hearts of well-heeled Houstonians. Say hello to the luxe environs of Santa Barbara/Montecito where more than a few of our seasonal expats pass much of the summer.

As the Santa Barbara polo season came to an end over the holiday weekend, the Lone Star influence was clearly felt during the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Finals at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. Texans on the whole prevailed as John Muse of Dallas led his Team Lucchese to tournament victory, beating out the Andy Busch team that included Houston seven-goal player Jeff Hall. (Busch is great-grandson of Anheuser-Busch founder Adolphus Busch.) That victory was the third in a row for Team Lucchese and the first time for a threepeat in the 103-year history of the tournament.

Sandi and Bill Nicholson gave "the best private party of the summer at their fabulous Solona estate," an evening honoring Santa Barbara polo players and Montecito friends.

Among Houstonians taking in the excitement of this final round of polo, as guests of Bombardier, the luxury private jet manufacturer, were Bombardier jet owner John Eddie Williams and wife Sheridan plus Carol and Mike Linn, Karen and Mike Mayell and Carolyn Farb.

Front and center throughout the polo season was former Houstonian, Dallas resident Charles Ward, managing partner of Idea Works, Inc. Ward summers in this swank California playland, where he exercises his renowned talents as wealth marketing guru. That debonnaire gent maintains an occasional presence on the Houston scene, often accompanying Carolyn Farb.

Ward reports that earlier in the polo-centered activities, Houstonians Sandi and Bill Nicholson gave "the best private party of the summer at their fabulous Solona estate," an evening honoring Santa Barbara polo players and Montecito friends. Ward adds that the season ended with a spectacular party hosted by Houstonian Scott Wood, who heads ERG Team and is president of ERG Resources. Look for this event to become a highly-touted tradition across the polo-infused landscape.

(You might recall that the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club hosted British royals last summer. Shortly after their marriage in 2011, Prince William and Kate were guests at the club, where the prince played in the Foundation Polo Challenge.)

unspecified

Party Watch

Houston’s women of distinction kick off 2026 season in style

Women of Distinction 2026 Honoree Celebration

Courtesy of Women of Distinction

Linda Magill, M.D., Robin Klaes, Elizabeth Deluca, Lauren Gow, Kristen Cannon, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Desrye Morgan, Alice Mao, M.D., and Pitsami Norm.

What: Women of Distinction 2026 Honoree Celebration

Courtesy of Women of Distinction

Linda Magill, M.D., Robin Klaes, Elizabeth Deluca, Lauren Gow, Kristen Cannon, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Desrye Morgan, Alice Mao, M.D., and Pitsami Norm.

Where: Valobra Master Jewelers

The Scoop: Diamonds were doing what diamonds do best — sparkling — when the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Southern Texas Chapter toasted its 2026 Women of Distinction honorees at an intimate reception inside Valobra Master Jewelers. The evening doubled as the official launch of the upcoming fundraising season and what promises to be another high-wattage Winter Ball.

Now approaching its fourth decade, the Women of Distinction Winter Ball has long been a fixture on Houston’s social calendar. Valobra, a supporter for nearly 20 years, played host, continuing its tradition of donating a custom-designed jewel for the Winter Ball luxury raffle.

The 2026 class reflects a cross-section of Houston, spanning philanthropy, business, health, education, and the arts. Nine new honorees were announced alongside two ambassadors — a meaningful designation reserved for past honorees whose commitment to the foundation continues.

All eyes now turn to Jan. 24, 2026, when the Women of Distinction Winter Ball takes over the Post Oak Hotel, collective push toward better treatments and cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Who: Honorees were Kristen Cannon, Lauren Gow, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Robin Klaes, Michelle Lilie, Linda Sagarnaga Magill, Desrye Morgan, Pitsami Norm, and Karen DeGeurin Remington, and ambassadors Helen Shaffer and Shawn Stephens.

fundraisers