Alexander Haagen III remembers the first time he mounted a horse to play polo, a sport he was introduced to by his son, who was 14 years old at the time.

“I’ve done lots of sports from skiing to scuba diving to sky-diving to roping cattle,” Haagen said. “But polo was the most dynamic and most exciting. You’re riding up to seven horses in a match. It’s aggressive, competitive and fast-paced.”

Haagen felt a rush that day, feeling clumsy at first but graduating into an agile player.

The owner of Indio's Empire Polo Club said he is still in awe of the sport more than three decades later, as he overlooked the fields on opening day Sunday. Haagen and his family moved to the area to play in 1985 and decided to build their own field in 1987. Empire Polo Club opened with just three fields, and has grown to 14 over the years. The sport, resembling field hockey, is played on horseback with a long-handled mallet.

The 2019 season kicked off with hundreds of people participating in hat day at the fields. The season will continue through March 31, with opportunities to watch practice matches Wednesday and Thursday and tournament games Friday through Sunday. Sunday games typically attract between 2,500 to 3,500 people.

On Sunday, the fields were plush green, the horses fast and the players methodical. In the stands, families marveled at the strength of the horses. Some men wore black top hats and velvet loafers while women teetered across the grass in heels and large, decorative hats of every color.

On the far end of the field, where teams waited and rested, the players were focused . Common men became regal as they mounted their horses, making their way back to the fields.

Susan Skogerson, 67, of Indio, and Marjorie Pehta, 69, of Palm Desert, look forward to polo season, especially hat day, every year.

“It’s very social and the games are exciting, watching the horses run is thrilling,” Pehta said. “The skill it takes the players. It’s not as easy as it looks. Most horses are former racehorses so they really love it.”

Skogerson said polo is the “sport of kings,” and the two dress accordingly, though they said it’s acceptable to wear jeans to the games.

Skogerson was in black fur with a coordinating fascinator while Pehta wore a large gold necklace and matching wide-brimmed gold hat. Pehta and her husband won the hat day competition in 2018.

The friends sat on the VIP side of the fields, but say tail-gating is a great way for new-comers to discover the sport, suggesting attendees bring a picnic and drinks.

Tameria Wheeler and Racquel Landolf, of Alamo, were at the polo fields for the first time. They went hat shopping and read polo rules cheat sheets to prepare.

“It blew me away, it’s such a beautiful setting here,” Wheeler said. “But polo is very confusing. I am still learning, but I’m rooting for the team wearing green because I thought they looked good. We are definitely coming back next year.”

Haagen said the polo season has a large economic impact on the surrounding community, attracting tourists from all over the country. Aside from the polo fans, players and teams rent homes and stables for the season and shop and dine locally. And the fields supply nearly 1,000 local jobs during the season.

“It really is an affordable family-friendly event to go to,” Haagen said. “You can come park on the side of the field, watch polo, bring a picnic and bring your dogs.”

Sunday polo games are played each week at noon and 2 p.m., general admission is free with $20 parking. Tailgaters are welcome to bring food and beverages, chairs and blankets, and leashed dogs. Doors open at 10 a.m. VIP admission is $30 and includes parking, VIP seating and complimentary champagne. Sunday brunch also will be offered once a month.

Friday night polo offers “Polo Under the Lights” on select dates in February and March. Admission, tailgating and parking are free on Friday nights.

For more information about the sport or to buy tickets go to www.EmpirePolo.com or call (760) 393-7298.

Desert Sun reporter Nicole Hayden covers health and healthcare in the Coachella Valley. She can be reached at Nicole.Hayden@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4623. Follow her on Twitter @Nicole_A_Hayden.