Polo kids aged 6-18 will compete at this fun filled family weekend.

Empire Polo Club will host its first annual youth polo tournament, dubbed “Polochella,” on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 at 10am.

This free event is open to the public and features a variety of activities for families of all ages including the two-day tournament; instruction for youth on playing polo; decorative horse painting on “Whistler,” the Empire Polo Club’s little white pony; vendor displays; raffle drawings; tailgating; and more.

The tournament will draw young players ages 6 – 18 from all over the western United States with three team divisions from beginners (walk/trot), to intermediate (canter/gallop), to experienced (full gallop/canter). Most of the local children are not from polo-playing families and have learned to ride on the polo ponies provided by Empire’s Youth Program, the event’s beneficiary.

A fun-filled reception and dinner will also take place at the Tavern Restaurant Saturday, February 13 from 6pm to 10pm. The dinner is open to all attending the tournament and will feature live music and dancing. A variety of raffle prizes will be given away at the dinner, including a foursome of golf at PGA WEST.

“Polochella Youth Tournament is being played to promote this wonderful sport to all children and their parents,” says Connie Atkinson, director of the Empire’s Youth Program, adding that many have yet to discover this world in their own back yard.

After the Sunday morning children’s tournament, everyone is invited to watch the finals of the four-goal adult tournament on field three at 2:00pm also free and tailgating is welcome!

All who love horses and/or are interested in participating in the sport of polo are encouraged to come out and watch these future champions play on one of the finest fields in America.

Empire Polo Club is located at 81-800 Avenue 51 in Indio. Polochella takes place on the Forum Field. For participation in the event, contact Connie Atkinson (760) 899.5102. For general information about attending the event, contact Jill Bonilla (760) 835.6318 or Kate Rust (760) 409.1532. For daily game schedules and general polo information visit EmpirePolo.com.