WHAT IS POLO?
Polo is over 2,000 years old and is considered to be one of the oldest team sports known to man. Polo is played on horseback and horses used for polo are traditionally called Polo Ponies. A Polo match or game consists of 4-6 Chukkers (periods), each Chukker lasts for 7 1/2 minutes. Unlike many other team sports which require players to stay within a zone, polo players are free to move anywhere on the field as they pass the ball between team members traveling at speeds of up to 35 mph in an effort to score goals. The team with the most goals at the end of the match is the winner. A goal is scored by striking a polo ball through the goal posts centered at each end of the polo field. Teams change directions after each goal is scored to accomodate any field or weather advantages. Polo is played on outdoor grass fields or in arenas, thus the terms "Outdoor Polo" and "Arena Polo"
Polo Teams: An Outdoor Polo team consists of 4 players. An Arena Polo team consists of 3 players. Polo teams may consist of both amateurs and professionals playing together as well as co-ed mixed teams. Polo teams traditionally are organized for individual tournaments or leagues.
Polo Fields are traditionally 300 yards long and 160 yards wide for Outdoor Polo. Arena Polo fields are traditionally 300 feet long by 150 feet wide.
Polo Players: Traditional attire for a polo player includes a helmet, a mallet, a pair of riding boots, a pair of knee guards and white pants for tournament matches. Players must use a Polo Mallet in the right hand to strike the ball. Players are rated annually by the governing body of the sport with an Official Handicap ranging from -2 to 10, 10 being the best.
Polo Ponies can be any breed and/or size of horse that the player chooses. Polo ponies are trained to stop, turn, run, challenge other players and their mounts all by the commands of the rider's left hands in which the reins are held.
