Each winter Eldorado Polo Club welcomes top polo players and their superb equine athletes from around the world to the Coachella Valley to compete in some of the most exciting and competitive polo in the country.
In 1957, eleven like-minded polo enthusiasts got together and purchased 38 acres of land that did not fit into the Eldorado Country Club masterplan. The club began as a modest little venue but soon grew in popularity drawing players from far and wide. In 1979 the club land became desirable for development and is now the site of the Vintage Club. It was time to move, and with that brought an opportunity to expand. The original owners along with five additional members purchased the current site on Madison Street in Indio.
In the crisp early hours of the morning, Eldorado’s mile-long track is packed with groups of horses trotting to reach peak physical fitness for tournament matches taking place January through March. The club boasts over 10 regulation grass fields, a stick and ball field, practice hitting cage, exercise track, and onsite stabling making it one of the largest polo clubs in the country. Eldorado even has a Polo & Riding Academy for those looking to take up the sport, as many players have been known to fall in love with polo with no previous riding experience!
Attending polo as a spectator is a “must-do” desert winter activity! Each Sunday, polo fans pour into Eldorado to feel the rumble of galloping hooves as players reach speeds over 35 mph all while maintaining control of a little white ball. Polo is in fact a contact sport and is often described as “hockey on horseback”. Players look to score through the uprights at each end of the 10 acre field. It doesn’t take long for first-time attendees to get wrapped up in the excitement of a match as spectators can get up to speed with live play-by-play commentary from resident announcer Tony Gregg.
Sunday Polo is open to the public. Guests can enjoy the polo sidelines in casual comfort by tailgating with a few lawn-chairs, a picnic and you have your own perfect polo event. There is a bouncy house for the kids and the adults can enjoy the Ruffino Prosecco Halftime Divot Stomp along with an opportunity to enter to win a cruise with Royal Caribbean International courtesy of Cruise One Palm Desert.
The Eldorado Clubhouse Restaurant overlooking the main field is the best place to experience Sunday Polo in style –for just $10 per person, a full-service menu and bar are offered, seating is available for parties from 2 to 50. Reservations are highly recommended for Clubhouse Restaurant seating, please call the Clubhouse reservation hotline: (760)-831-POLO (7656)
In 2017, Eldorado Polo Club is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. January 8 kicks off the Sunday Polo season with OPENING DAY presented by Ketel One Vodka, and continues each Sunday through April 2. Matches take place at 12pm and 2pm – entry is just $10 per car. For more information check out www.eldoradopoloclub.com
