Empire Polo Club to Host USPA Townsend Challenge Cup

The United States takes on England for Arena Polo Title

Wellington, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2011) – With players representing the highest level of international arena polo, the Empire Polo Club located in Indio, Calif., is scheduled to host the U.S. Polo Association’s Townsend Challenge Cup Saturday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. The United States team will take on England in this historic tournament, and the community is invited to celebrate at the family-friendly event.

The Townsend Cup was first played in Manhattan in 1923, spurring the growth and development of arena polo in the United States. At that time, it was named in honor of John R. Townsend, a New York City social figure who was an active advocate for arena polo.

Vicky Owens, Empire Polo Club manager, expressed the club’s excitement to host the event. “Empire Polo Club and the local polo community are honored to be a part of such a historic event, continuing the promotion and growth of arena polo here in the desert and in the United States. Empire Polo Club invites the public to join us in welcoming England to our county and to show support of both teams as they compete for the title.”

The American team is led by Billy Sheldon, from Poway, Calif., who is the coach and alternate player with a rating of 7 goals. Joining him, Shane Rice, also originally from Poway and rated 7 goals, and two players from Wellington – John Gobin (6 goals) and team captain Tommy Biddle (9 goals).

Representing England: captain Chris Hyde (9), Ryan Pemble (6), Sebastian Dawnay (7) and reserve player and coach Jonny Good (8).

The U.S. Polo Association, the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States, has seen an increase in arena polo activity in California due in part to its Regional Polo Center, Wrightway Polo, located nearby in Palm Springs, as well as other clubs in the area looking to reintroduce the sport into the community where it once thrived.

“Arena polo has a long international tradition and it continues to grow in popularity in the United States thanks to its speed and excitement, as well as the accessibility for players who live near an arena facility.” said Peter Rizzo, executive director of the U.S. Polo Association. “This match is the highest level of competitive arena polo. We are thrilled to welcome England and look forward to a great game.”

Compared to outdoor polo, which is played on a larger grass field with two teams of four, arena polo is played by two teams of three players in an arena with a soil footing of approximately 300 feet long by 150 feet wide, with walls all around. The four chukkers (periods of play) each last seven and a half minutes.

For more information on the USPA Townsend Challenge Cup, please visit http://www.EmpirePolo.com.

About Empire Polo Club
Established in 1987, Empire Polo Club is one of the largest polo clubs on the west coast with seven polo fields, an indoor arena and a polo school. Polo is played Wednesday through Sunday, November through March 27 with featured matches on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Empire Polo Club
81-800 Ave. 51
Indio, CA 82201
Tel. 760-393-7298

About the U. S. Polo Association
The U.S. Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. For more information, please visit, www.uspolo.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jo-Anne Chase- French/West/Vaughn- 919-277-1158- jchase@fwv-us.com