Information About Horse Polo

Grass polo is the most common type of polo played.

Horse polo, which is also known simply as polo, is a sport where mounted riders propel a ball into goals on opposite ends of a field using polo mallets. The sport showcases the dexterity of the rider and the horse. The two teams will field four riders, each of which will have a string of ponies.

History

According to Sportpolo.com, polo is the world's oldest team sport. It was first created as a training exercise for cavalry and was played in ancient Constantinople as well as Japan. The first recorded polo match took place in 600 B.C., when the Persians were defeated by the Turkomans in a public match. The first official rules for the modern game were recorded in the mid 1800s, by Captain John Watson of the British Calvary 13th Hussars.

Types

There are several types of polo matches that might be played. The most common type of polo is grass polo, which is played outdoors on a field, and it is the only type of polo that requires a team of four. All other types of polo require teams of three. Arena polo is played indoors on dirt or sand, while beach polo is played outdoors on a sandy beach. Snow polo is typically played on a field of snow or on a frozen lake.

Time Frame

A polo match usually lasts about 1.5 hours, and play is divided up into timed segments called chukkers. In grass polo, there may be between 4 to 6 chukkers, and the chukkers are 7 minutes long. In all other types of horse polo, the match is set to 4 chukkers. Chukkers in arena polo are 7.5 minutes long.

Considerations

In grass polo, the two teams switch goals with every chukker. This tends to account for variances in the wind and ground conditions and ensures that no team has an advantage due to the muddiness of the field or the wind.

Traditions

During half-time at a grass polo match, the spectators are invited to take part in a tradition known as divot-stomping. The spectators will go onto the playing field and replace the divots that the polo ponies have kicked up. This can be accomplished by toeing the divots back into place and then stepping on them firmly.

References

• Sport Polo: Description of a Polo Game
• Polo101: Types of Polo
• Sport Polo: Spectators

Resources

• Sport Polo: History of the Equestrian Sport of Polo