General Patton was an avid polo player and experienced equestrian
Special Guest Sylvester Stallone
Guest Speaker: Helen Patton – Honorary Chair of the General Patton Museum
On Sunday, January 29th, the Empire Polo Club is hosting a field dedication ceremony in honor of General George S. Patton. Patton is well known as one of the greatest and the most colorful generals in U.S. Army history. He was also an avid polo player, an accomplished horseman and athlete.
In honor of Patton’s military accomplishments and to celebrate his love of horses and the sport of Polo, Empire Polo Club is naming its main Sunday Polo Field the “The General Patton Field.” A new flagpole and plaque honoring General Patton will be unveiled during the ceremony.
Patton once commented “The virtue of polo as a military accomplishment rests on the following: it makes a man think fast while excited; it reduces his natural respect for his own safety, that is – it makes him bold; it teaches restraint under exciting circumstances… nearest to mounted combat; makes riding worthwhile; keeps a man hard and teaches better horse management.”
The dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 29th at the Empire Polo Club, located in Indio, CA. The dedication ceremony begins at 11:00 AM. After the ceremony, the finals of the United States Polo Association (USPA) General George S. Patton, Jr. Polo Tournament will be played. Special guests include Sylvester Stallone and guest speaker, Helen Patton, granddaughter of General George S. Patton, Jr. and Honorary Chair of the General Patton Museum. The ceremony schedule is included below. Two featured polo matches will be played after the field dedication; one at 12 Noon and the second at 2 PM.
Ceremony Schedule:
Special Guest Sylvester Stallone
11:00 AM: Post Colors, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem & dove release
11:15 AM: Guest Speaker Helen Patton – Honorary Chair of the General Patton Museum
12:00 Noon: Finals of the USPA Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. Polo Tournament
1:45 PM: Awards Ceremony
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Second Featured Polo Match
Sunday Polo
Sunday Polo games are scheduled every week from Jan. 1st through April 2nd, 2017. Sunday Polo games are at 12 Noon and 2 PM. The polo club will be closed on Sunday, January 15th and again on Sunday, March 5th, 2017.
General Admission is FREE with a $20 parking fee for all Sunday afternoon polo games. Tailgaters are welcome; space along the sidelines is available on a first come, first served basis. Bleacher seating is also available in the General Admission area. Spectators are welcome to bring their own food and beverages into the General Admission area. Food and beverage service is also available for purchase.
VIP Admission is $25 per person and includes parking, VIP seating and a complimentary Champagne Divot Stomp. The VIP seating area is located in front of the Olympic-peaked tents on the west side of the main polo field and offers field-side covered seating.
Spectators can also watch Sunday football games while enjoying polo at the VIP Sports Lounge and Bar, located adjacent to the VIP seating area. The Sports Lounge offers viewers three flat screens featuring Sunday football games and other popular sports.
Reservations for VIP seating are highly recommended. Food and beverage service is available onsite during Sunday matches. For VIP reservations or group rates please call 760-393-7298 or email [email protected]. No outside food or beverages are allowed into the VIP area.
Original Article: Empire Polo Club
