It’s time for our Equestrian roundup for both Polo and HITS enthusiasts. Let’s start with Polo Happenings:
At the San Diego Polo Club, the summer season is winding down. The final tournament, The Spreckles Cup, will be played on Sunday September 27 at 2 pm. Public is welcome! As we head up the coast to the beautiful and historic Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, the Polo tournaments are still being played, though the season there is winding down as well. The High Goal Tournament season saw the Finals of the Pacific Coast Open on Sunday, August 30. That weekend was followed by the 20 Goal Maserati Silver Cup.
This past Sunday saw the the Jewelry by Gauthier Womens’ Polo Tournament, and next Sunday, 10/4 will be the USPA Presidents’ Cup Finals. After the season tournaments wrap up, the Polo School, Lesson program and Arena Tournaments will begin through the winter months.
Here in the Coachella Valley, both the Empire and Eldorado Polo Clubs are preparing for another huge season of competitions. Empire will be hosting some December 4-goal and 1-goal tournaments, and their VIP Tents are SOLD OUT for the 2016 season already!! Eldorado Polo Club offices are just re-opening with Deb Morrison as games manager, James A’court as Social Events Manager, and Graham Bray as Club General Manager. Polo Season officially opens here in the Valley first weekend of January, 2016.
HITS SHOW JUMPING
HITS, short for Horseshows In The Sun, begins it’s desert competitions on January 19, right here at the Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. There is also a 2 week Competition in November for only the second year. The HITS show jumping Series continues pretty much year round at different venues. Ocala, Florida and Saugerties, New York being the two large venues. To read about the most recent results for both, take a look.
The beauty of these two completely different Equestrian Events being held at approximately the same times here in the Coachella Valley, is that it is not uncommon for us polo players to hop over to the HITS show rings during the weeks, and vice versa. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expose ourselves to different universes of Equestrian disciplines.
Both Polo Events and HITS show events welcome the Public. The Thermal HITS show schedule for 2016 is out, and it’s not too early to start thinking about when you’ll be heading over to watch some of the best Jumpers in the world compete!