Empire Polo Club, Indio CA
Description
Experience the best in polo at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. This premier location features immaculate fields, world-class equestrian facilities, and a range of exciting events. With 12 grass fields, a regulation-sized arena, and two exercise tracks, the club is the perfect place for polo players of all levels. In addition to hosting games, the club also offers stabling and lessons through the Los Angeles Polo Training Center & Polo School. The winter season runs from December to April and features leagues at various skill levels, as well as Sunday matches open to the public. Tailgating and general admission are free, with VIP seating available for an additional fee. Come enjoy all that the Empire Polo Club has to offer.
How Is Polo Played?
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals by hitting a ball through a goal using a long-handled mallet. The game is played on a large grass field, and each team consists of four players. The field is divided into four quarters, and the ball can be struck with the mallet in any direction.
To begin the game, the ball is placed in the center of the field and the teams line up at opposite ends. When the whistle blows, the teams ride towards the ball and try to hit it towards the opponent's goal. Players can only use their right hand to hit the ball and can only hit the ball while it is on the ground. They are not allowed to hit the ball with their body or their horse.
Points are scored when a player hits the ball through the goalposts. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Polo matches are divided into periods called "chukkas," and the length of the game depends on the level of play. In a standard match, there are six chukkas, each lasting seven and a half minutes.