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Last Updated: Sep 2009
Last Updated: Sep 2009
The mounts are called 'polo ponies', although they are horses ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands high at the wither (one hand equals four inches), and weighing 900-1000 lbs. The polo pony is selected carefully for great speed and stamina, similar to the thoroughbreds at race tracks, as well as agility and maneuverability, similar to the cow pony used on ranches. When riding, by simply moving your hands forward, the horse will move into a swift canter. A well trained horse will carry his rider smoothly and swiftly to the ball and can account for anywhere from 70-80% of a player's ability and net worth to his team.
Each team consists of four mounted players, which can be mixed teams of both men and women. The Number 1 is expected to score the goals and carry out an offensive position. He is usually the least experienced. The Number 2 is also an offensive player but has to be more aggressive since his objective is also to break up the defensive plays of the opposition. The Number 3 is the pivot man, similar to a quarterback in football, and he is usually the long ball hitter and play maker for the team. He usually hits the penalty shots and knock-ins. The Number 4, or back, is the defensive player. He is usually the most conservative player and his job is to guard the goal and keep the opposition from scoring.
Each team consists of four mounted players, which can be mixed teams of both men and women. The Number 1 is expected to score the goals and carry out an offensive position. He is usually the least experienced. The Number 2 is also an offensive player but has to be more aggressive since his objective is also to break up the defensive plays of the opposition. The Number 3 is the pivot man, similar to a quarterback in football, and he is usually the long ball hitter and play maker for the team. He usually hits the penalty shots and knock-ins. The Number 4, or back, is the defensive player. He is usually the most conservative player and his job is to guard the goal and keep the opposition from scoring.
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Riders score by driving a ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet. Goals are only valid if the scoring rider is mounted. When played outdoors, each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts. In the indoor variant ("arena polo"), each team fields only three players. Play occurs in seven-minute periods, called chukkas. Six chukkas is the normal length of play; however, depending on league rules, matches can also have four or eight chukkas. Arena polo has seven and 1/2-minute chukkas. (In the US "Chukkers").
Polo has been termed the 'sport of kings', or sometimes the 'king of sports'. However, one does not have to be a king to be able to afford to play this game which in recent years has again grown in popularity. The enjoyment of playing can be achieved by owning only one horse or by having a whole string of polo ponies. The challenge of the game is to combine highly skilled athletic ability and horsemanship with the efforts of super trained mounts. Game tactics have many similarities to those of soccer, hockey and football. Yet, it is the terrific speed combined with body contact and dart like turns of the horses which gives polo its appeal to spectators and players alike.
Polo has been termed the 'sport of kings', or sometimes the 'king of sports'. However, one does not have to be a king to be able to afford to play this game which in recent years has again grown in popularity. The enjoyment of playing can be achieved by owning only one horse or by having a whole string of polo ponies. The challenge of the game is to combine highly skilled athletic ability and horsemanship with the efforts of super trained mounts. Game tactics have many similarities to those of soccer, hockey and football. Yet, it is the terrific speed combined with body contact and dart like turns of the horses which gives polo its appeal to spectators and players alike.
