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The Legends And Rising Stars: A Deep Dive Into Empire Polo Club Players For The 2024-2025 Season

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The Empire Polo Club (EPC) in Indio, California, stands as one of the most prestigious polo destinations in North America, and the 2024-2025 winter season is set to showcase a diverse roster of elite talent. This world-class facility, often called the "Disneyland of Polo," attracts a unique blend of international legends, dedicated professional athletes, and passionate patrons who compete across its twelve manicured grass fields. As of late 2024, the club is buzzing with anticipation for its main season, which runs from December through the first weekend in April, featuring competitive 1-goal, 4-goal, and 8-goal leagues, culminating in major tournaments like the Western Open Regional. The current competitive landscape at EPC is defined by a mix of established team rivalries and the guiding hand of a living legend, ensuring a high standard of play. The club’s shift towards a revitalized polo program under new leadership has brought renewed focus to the players and teams who make the Coachella Valley a winter hub for the sport. This article provides an in-depth look at the key figures, teams, and competitive structure that define the Empire Polo Club's player community.

The Guiding Hand: Legendary Figures and Polo Management

The foundation of the Empire Polo Club’s competitive integrity is built on the expertise of its leadership, most notably the appointment of a true icon of the sport.

Guillermo "Memo" Gracida Jr. - Polo Director

Memo Gracida, a Mexican-born polo player, is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport, and his involvement at the Empire Polo Club brings unparalleled prestige.

  • Born: July 25, 1956, in Mexico City, Mexico.
  • Role at EPC: Polo Director (Joined recently, bringing his expertise to the club's winter program).
  • Notable Achievements: Holds the record for the most U.S. Open Polo Championship wins (16) and was the youngest player to achieve a 10-goal handicap (the highest rating in polo).
  • Impact: His leadership is instrumental in attracting high-caliber professional players and organizing the competitive leagues for the 2024-2025 season.

The Global Ambassador: Nacho Figueras

While his appearances are less frequent than the full-time league players, the Empire Polo Club has a history of hosting international stars. World-renowned professional polo player and model, Nacho Figueras, is one such figure who has played competitive polo at the club, demonstrating the caliber of talent the venue attracts.

The Teams and Professional Players of the 8-Goal League

The 8-goal league represents the highest level of regular competition at the Empire Polo Club, featuring a mix of dedicated patrons and seasoned professional players. The structure of these teams involves a patron—an amateur player who owns the team and funds the horses—and professional players who bring the high-level skill and strategy.

Competitive Team Entities to Watch

The 8-goal and 4-goal leagues feature team entities that consistently compete for the top titles, including the prestigious Western Open Regional. Recent match reports and historical data point to several key organizations and patrons who field competitive rosters year after year:

  • STG Polo Team: A historically strong competitor at EPC, the STG team has featured players like patron John Ziegler, Max Menini, Francisco Guinazu, Tommy Costello, John Bickford, and Ignacio Deltour. Their consistent presence highlights the competitive nature of the club’s tournaments.
  • Ridgway Hemp: Mentioned in recent match schedules, the Ridgway Hemp team is a strong presence in the current season’s competitive lineup.
  • Lockton: Another prominent team entity frequently seen in the 6-chukker matches at EPC, often serving as a key rival to STG and other top teams.
  • The Buffaloes: Competing in the same high-goal practice matches as Ridgway Hemp, this team is a staple of the EPC’s upper-tier polo.

Key Professional and Patron Players

The names below represent the core of the competitive player base at Empire, from professionals who earn their living on the field to the patrons who make the teams possible:

  • John Ziegler: A prominent patron who has led the STG team to multiple victories in past tournaments, including the Regional USPA Presidents Cup.
  • Max Menini: A professional player often seen on the STG roster, known for his high-level play and consistency.
  • Francisco Guinazu & Tommy Costello: Other professional players who have been integral parts of competitive teams at the club, contributing to the high-goal environment.
  • Benito Andrade: A player recently listed in match lineups, representing the active professional talent pool competing in the current season’s tournaments.
  • Olivier Climaud & Tom Schuerman: Other names appearing in recent match rosters, showcasing the depth of the player community.

The Rising Stars: Youth and Low-Goal Tournament Competitors

Beyond the high-goal professionals, the Empire Polo Club is a vital training ground for the next generation of polo stars and a welcoming venue for amateur and low-goal players. The club actively hosts USPA-sanctioned youth events and lower-handicap leagues, ensuring a complete polo ecosystem.

The Future of Polo: NYTS and Interscholastic Players

The club is a key host for the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) Qualifiers, giving young players a platform to develop their skills. The talent emerging from these competitions often represents the future of American polo. Notable young players from recent tournaments include:

  • Ian Schnoebelen
  • Micaela Saracco
  • Elise Pardue
  • Athena Malin
  • Bayne Bossom

These youth players compete fiercely, often earning "All-Star" recognition and demonstrating the club's commitment to fostering new talent.

Amateur and Patron Competitors

The heart of the club's weekly polo schedule lies in its 1-goal and 4-goal leagues, where patrons and amateur players enjoy competitive matches. These players are the financial and emotional backbone of the sport in the Coachella Valley. Teams in these leagues often feature names like Santos Arreola, Susie Anthony, Kate Ewart, Karin McCoy, Antonio Juarez, and Krista, all of whom contribute to the vibrant, year-round polo community.

The Competitive Landscape: Tournaments and Leagues

The players at Empire Polo Club compete in a well-structured series of tournaments throughout the winter season. This ensures consistent, high-stakes action for all handicap levels.

  • The Western Open Regional: This is one of the most significant tournaments hosted by the club, often featuring the top 8-goal teams. Winning this event is a major achievement for any team in the Western United States polo circuit.
  • The 8-Goal League: The premier league for the season, attracting professional players and high-level patrons. It serves as the main draw for spectators and showcases the highest level of field polo at the club.
  • Arena Polo: The Empire Polo Club is also a historic host for major arena polo events, including the USPA Women's Arena Open. This different format of the game requires a distinct set of skills, attracting specialists in the arena game.

The combination of legendary leadership, dedicated patrons, high-caliber professional players, and a thriving youth program solidifies the Empire Polo Club's status as a central pillar of the American polo scene. For the 2024-2025 season, the competition in Indio, CA, promises to be as thrilling and star-studded as ever.

empire polo club players
empire polo club players

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