Horse quarantine ends; Polo games resume in the desert
The polo matches at the Empire Polo Club were temporarily suspended after a horse residing on the property was confirmed positive for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (NEHV-1). The horse quarantine, mandated by the State of California health officials ended today, Feb. 14th, 2012. Polo games will resume based on the revised 2012 season schedule and Empire Polo Club would like to invite spectators out to the club for their first weekend back in the saddle.
Polo Games Resume on Friday, Feb. 17th, 2012
Friday night “Polo Under The Lights & Happy Hour” is scheduled for Friday, February 17th, 2012 at 6:00 PM. Two teams will compete in a competitive polo match on Field #3 at Empire Polo Club. General admission is free and everyone is welcome. The Friday night “Polo Under The Lights Games” will continue every week during the season. A cash bar will be available on site during the Friday night games.
Sunday Polo re-opens on February 19th, featuring two polo games at 12 and 2 PM. A complimentary Champagne Divot Stomp sponsored by Wilson Creek will be held at halftime during the 2 PM game.
General admission seating is FREE and includes bleacher seats and field-side tailgate spots on the east side of the field. Tables are available for groups with a reservation. Cabanas & VIP seats are available for an additional charge. Reservations for the VIP areas are highly recommended. Food and beverage service is available on site during the matches.
Season Highlights
WCT Debii $$ Conant Memorial Women’s Tournament, Sunday, March 4th, 2012. The ladies will take the main Sunday Polo Field for the 12:00 PM finals. The Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) will draw women polo players from across the United States and Canada to compete in this prestigious event. Sunny Hale, the highest-rated female player in the world, will be competing in this event.
WCT Women’s Arena Tournament Saturday, March 24th, 2012 at 6 PM – Empire Polo Club is pleased to host the 1st Annual WCT Women’s Arena Finals that will be played in the Empire Polo Stadium. Women from all over the country will travel to the desert to participate in this national event.
Empire Champions’ Cup Finals – Sunday, April 1st, 2012 at 2:00 PM – Join us for the grand finale tournament & closing day of the polo season. There will be more than $70,000 in cash & prizes awarded to the teams who are in the final round of the Champions’ 8-10 Goals Finals and the Lions’ Cup 4-Goal Finals.
2012 Season Schedule
February 2012
Feb. 17th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
Feb. 19th Sunday Polo – U.S. Gay Polo Tournament 12:00 & 8-10 Goal League at 2:00 PM
Feb. 24th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
Feb. 26th Sunday Polo
March 2012
March 2nd Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
March 4th Sunday Polo – WCT Women’s Tournament
March 9th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
March 11th Sunday Polo
March 16th Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
March 18th Sunday Polo
March 23rd Friday Night Polo Under The Lights
March 25th Sunday Polo
March 24th: WCT Women’s Arena Finals (Time TBD)
April 2012
April 1st Sunday Polo / Closing Day, Lions’ Cup and Champions’ Cup Finals
For more information about our polo games or to make VIP/group reservations, please contact us.
Empire Polo Club – Tel. 760-393-7298 or email tonyschieffer@empirepolo.com.