Silver Air Pacific Coast Open & Tara Gray Jewelry Rings
Standing at a striking height of five feet, the glorious silver-and-gold trophy for the Silver Air Pacific Coast Open is a dazzling sight.
Crowned with an eagle supporting a globe and adorned with semiprecious stones, the trophy is mounted on a redwood base with side panels depicting lively polo scenes. The cup was commissioned in 1908 by friends and members of the Coronado Country Club in California. First competed for the following year, it was initially called the All American Polo Trophy. TIhe trophy didn't call the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club home until 1952.
The trophy served as inspiration for the championship rings designed by Tara Gray, jeweler of the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. 'This year, Farmers & Merchants Bank won the coveted West Coast title and proudly donned their championship rings, truly unique to the sport of polo, for cameras following the trophy presentation.
Although common in other major sports, championship rings were the novel brainstorm of tournament organizers and polo enthusiasts. Read more about the rings and Gray's other equestrian jewelry designs in this month's style section.