By Heidi Simmons
For many, the only contact with polo is a little logo on a shirt: That famous silhouette of a horse and rider in action, mallet overhead, ready to strike a ball. The real life version of polo conjures tabloid images of British Royal princes. It appears to be a sport that is only accessible to the “one percent.” However, the truth is, here in the CV, polo is available to everyone thanks to the Empire Polo Club.
Indio’s Empire Polo Grounds may be most famous for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, but since it opened in the 80s, it has been the world’s premiere winter, west coast polo field.
Young and old, male or female, spectator or participant, The Empire Polo Club invites visitors to enjoy the fifty-acre site of manicured lawns, rosebushes and date palms. It is their pleasure to host world-class polo matches and provide polo lessons to the experienced, as well as those who have never been on a horse.
“It helps if you’re athletic, but anyone can do this sport,” said instructor Jessica Bailey. “Golfers make excellent polo players.” Instructors are able to get a person who has never been on a horse, riding and hitting a ball in a single lesson. Baily has been playing polo for over 20 years.
Instructor Domingo Questel is a 6-goaler player. Players are rated between 0 and 10-goals. In theory, if you are a 4-goal player, you are four tenths as good as the best player in the world. A first time player is a minus 1-goaler. At that level, the player is more help to the other team. Prince William is a 3-goaler, Ralph Lauren Polo model and spokesman Nacho Figueras, is a 6-goaler.
The school has 10 horses and offers one-hour lessons that include all the equipment. They have two-for-one and group lesson packages available. “It’s a perfect way to get a taste for the sport without a big investment,” said Bailey. “You don’t have to own a horse to play Polo. It can be very affordable or very expensive.”
The local mountains, open space and clear skies create a serene destination for such an exciting and exuberant sport of man and beast. A team sport played on horseback; it’s no longer just for men. Women are a growing demographic on the field and teams can be mixed.
Instructor Emma Stachowicz has been playing polo for seven years. “I played golf on the junior tour and varsity golf in college. When I had my first polo lesson, I was hooked,” said Stachowicz. “I love the partnership between horse and human.”
Stachowicz says that even a complete klutz can get on a horse and play polo. “Our horses are well seasoned and very safe. They’ll take you right to the ball.”
Off the horse, Stachowicz is cute and petit, but to see her driving a ball downfield on horseback, she looks intimidating. When she connects with the ball, the thwack is as satisfying as the sweet spot on a tennis racket.
Whether you want to play polo or just watch, there is no doubt about the fun of the game. Polo is a blast either way.
The high-energy game is played with four riders on a side who work together using long-handled mallets to drive a ball downfield into the opposing team’s goal.
The field is 160 yards wide by 300 yards long, an equivalent of nine football fields. A match lasts an hour and a half and is divided into periods called “chukkers.” There are six chukkers in a match (European polo is five chukkers). A horse’s top speed is 40 miles an hour. The ball can move at the same rate as a golf ball. And it is a contact sport. To take control of a ball in action, riders must “bump” one another. There are two mounted umpires in the game and a deciding referee is in the stands.
The idea of riders sporting long swinging mallets on half-ton plus beasts racing at high-speeds must be the most exhilarating things about the sport.
The Empire Polo Club began its season last weekend. For the cost of parking, guests are invited to attend world-class matches. Admission to the Friday Night Polo Under the Lights is free. There are Sunday matches every week through March.
VIP admission is $25 per person and includes parking. They encourage tailgating, allowing a vehicle to pull up to the polo field and watch the game while eating and drinking. There is food and beverage service available as well.
Kevin Ittig is the polo match commentator. He played polo professionally for 25 years. “It is something I’m just passionate about,” said Ittig. “I just love polo.” Ittig came to Indio when the Empire Polo Grounds first opened in 1987. He was the polo pro. Ittig and his wife were married on the grounds.
Being around for as long as he has, he knows the players and horses well. From experience and his vantage point in the announcer’s booth, Ittig recognizes the riders not only by jersey but also by style.
“My father told me I was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. I just love announcing,” said Ittig. “Sometimes we have 2,000 people here for an event. But I don’t get stage freight. I go down and mingle with the guests before the game — then I’m just talking with my new friends.”
According to Ittig, polo is no longer just a rich man’s sport. “There are different levels of polo. But it no longer has to be at the level of Prince Harry,” said Ittig. “Today anyone with a modest income can play.” Ittig loves announcing to a big crowd and invites everyone to come out and enjoy the park like setting and an exciting game of polo.
For more information on lessons, directions or a schedule of matches visit www.EmpirePolo.com
Friday Night “Polo Under The Lights” at Empire Polo Club
This season Empire Polo Club is offering Friday night “Polo Under The Lights” on the second Friday of each month. These dates include: Jan. 10th, Feb. 14th and March 14th. Each date will feature the USA competing in a one-day exhibition match against teams from other countries including Canada, Mexico and Argentina. (See schedule below.) The Friday “Polo Under the Lights” game time is 5:30 PM. Arrive early to get a good spot to tailgate. Bleacher seating is also available. Beverage service is available on site during the Friday night games. The game lasts approximately one hour. Admission, tailgating and parking are free for Friday night games. The entrance for Friday night games is on Monroe St. at Ave. 51.
Friday, January 10th at 5:30 PM: USA vs. Canada
Our first Friday night “Polo Under The Lights” event will feature a one day challenge match between USA and Canada. Admission is free. Tailgaters are welcome and bleacher seating is available for spectators. The USA vs. Canada game will be held on the Rose Garden Field #3 next to the Tack Room Tavern Restaurant.
Friday, Feb. 14th at 5:30 PM: USA vs. Mexico
Our second Friday night “Polo Under The Lights” event will feature a one day challenge match between USA and Mexico. Admission is free. Tailgaters are welcome and bleacher seating is available for spectators. The USA vs. Mexico game will be held on the Rose Garden Field #3 next to the Tack Room Tavern Restaurant.
Friday, March 14th at 5:30 PM: USA vs. Argentina
Our third and final Friday night “Polo Under The Lights” event will feature a one day challenge match between USA and Argentina. Admission is free. Tailgaters are welcome and bleacher seating is available for spectators. The USA vs. Argentina game will be held on the Rose Garden Field #3 next to the Tack Room Tavern Restaurant.
2014 Season Schedule
January 2014
Jan. 5th Sunday Polo – Opening Day & Hat Day
Jan. 10th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
Jan. 12th Sunday Polo
Jan. 19th Sunday Polo
Jan. 26th Sunday Polo
February 2014
Feb. 2nd Sunday Polo
Feb. 9th Sunday Polo
Feb. 14th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
Feb. 16th Sunday Polo
Feb. 23rd Sunday Polo
March 2014
March 2nd NO POLO on this date
March 9th Sunday Polo
March 14th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
March 16th Sunday Polo
March 23rd Sunday Polo
March 30th Sunday Polo/Closing Day
