Elizabeth Welborn: Heritage, Style & Sustainability
Description
Elizabeth Welborn's journey from the bayous of Louisiana to founding a sustainable polo lifestyle brand speaks volumes about passion, purpose, and the pursuit of conscious craftsmanship. Growing up with a love for horses that began during childhood rides in Scotland, Elizabeth found her calling when she discovered polo in Northern California – not just as a sport, but as a way of life worth celebrating and sharing.
The magic of Stick & Ball was born in 2011, when Elizabeth combined her international business background with her creative talents to craft a brand that captures polo's essence beyond the field. Starting with handmade ponchos and vegetable-tanned leather belts adorned with Argentine buckles, she built a collection that embodies the rugged sophistication and casual elegance that define the polo lifestyle.
What sets Stick & Ball apart isn't just its beautiful designs, but its unwavering commitment to sustainability. Elizabeth passionately details her choice to use vegetable-tanned leather – a months-long process using bark and berries instead of chrome's heavy metals – creating pieces that develop a beautiful patina like a cherished saddle. Her dedication extends to fighting microplastics by maintaining a plastic-free brand and partnering with artisans in Peru to create heirloom-quality alpaca wool products that last generations.
Elizabeth's story resonates with anyone who values craftsmanship and connection – whether designing collections, hosting field-side dinners under the stars, or playing polo herself across global destinations from Argentina to Mongolia. As she prepares for her next chapter with her children graduating, she looks forward to expanding her knitwear lines and returning to polo play, always guided by her "buy less, buy better" philosophy that challenges fast fashion's wasteful cycle.
Discover how polo's traditions can inspire sustainable luxury at stickandball.com, where Elizabeth's thoughtful creations celebrate the timeless connection between people, horses, and the beautiful spaces they share. Follow her journey as she continues to redefine what a modern polo lifestyle looks like – elevated, inclusive, and deeply rooted in purpose.
About Hive₂O Hard Honey™
Hive₂O Hard Honey is a pioneering beverage company that brings the rich, balanced taste of honey to the forefront of the industry. With a focus on innovation, quality, and community, Hive₂O offers a range of hard honey and alcohol-free beverages designed to surprise and delight with every sip.
As a thank you for tuning into this episode of Outside The Boards Podcast, Hive₂O is offering listeners an exclusive online discount and free shipping on all four packs. Use code OTBPOLO24 in all caps at checkout. Visit hardhoney.com to explore products.
About Lineup Polo
Lineup Polo was built to revolutionize how polo is managed and experienced. With a mission to support the polo community and expand the sport’s reach, the platform digitizes processes and centralizes communication. Lineup Polo is committed to the game's future.
Available as a free app and web portal, Lineup Polo allows clubs to manage tournaments, automate leagues, payments, and memberships, building a new digital ecosystem for polo.
About Outside The Boards™
Founded after witnessing their first polo match in 2012, Outside The Boards™ seeks to share the sport’s beauty, intensity, and lifestyle while addressing industry fragmentation. Through best practices, insights, trends, and consulting, OTB™ helps stakeholders and brands unlock polo’s marketing potential and navigate the sport with clarity...























