The Sport of Kings: Spectator’s Guide

THE GAME

Polo is played on a massive field the size of nine football fields (300 x 160 yards) to accommodate the intense speed and pace of the game. Horse and player traffic can extend just outside of the low wooden boards, but as soon as the ball leaves the field, it is out-of-bounds and stops play. A goal is scored by hitting the ball between the two goal posts at any height. A goal is confirmed by the flag bearer standing (at a safe distance) behind each goal. It pays to keep your eye on the ball but also on the teams because they change directions each time a goal is scored in order to equalize playing conditions.

CHUKKER: The period of play. In a low- or medium-goal game, players have four 7-1/2- minute chukkers in which to score, and in a highgoal game, there are six 7-1/2-minute chukkers.

Because the primary focus in polo is the safety of the horses and of the players, the rules of play focus on avoiding injury. With horses hitting speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, the most significant rule governing play is “right of way,” as designated by the “line of the ball.” When a foul is called by one of the two umpires on the field, the severity of the infraction and the resulting penalty is judged on a scale of 1 to 9, based on how dangerous the infraction was to the horse or player.

LINE OF THE BALL: Once a ball is hit, the player who is closest to the ball with the narrowest angle has the right of way. Opposing players cannot cross the line too close to the player who has the right of way, nor can they approach the “on line” player at too sharp an angle, or they risk a foul and subsequent penalty.

THE PONIES

The quality of a polo match is determined by the skill and athleticism of both horse and rider. Players usually require a string of at least four ponies for low- and medium-goal matches; some players bring up to 10 ponies to high-goal matches. An ideal polo pony has a steady temperament, is responsive during intense play, and possesses stamina, speed, agility, and maneuverability—and is a good fit for the riding and game style of the player.

THE PLAYERS

Players come to polo from many paths: some have been born and raised in the sport or have spent time in other riding disciplines only to be drawn to the addictive rush of the polo field. Players in North America are assigned handicaps (also called goal ratings) between -2 (or C) and 10, with a 10-goal player being the very best in the world. Club-based rating committees submit the handicap of each player to the sport’s governing body, the USPA, based on playing ability, horsemanship, team play, horses, and knowledge of the game.

TEAM HANDICAP: The handicap of a team is the sum of all of its players’ ratings, and the final score of a match is adjusted according to discrepancies in the two teams’ handicaps. So, if you are attending a 6-goal match, teams are composed of players whose sum goal rating equals six.

GAME STRATEGY

On the field, player positions and their roles on the team are represented by the number on their jersey (from 1 to 4). The Number 1 player assumes the primary offensive position on the field and is tasked primarily with scoring, as well as neutralizing the opposing team’s Number 4 player (their primary defense). The Number 2 is the mover and the shaker, a transition player who backs up the Number 1 player and aggressively seeks to move the ball up the field. Number 3 focuses on the long game, keeping their eye on the big picture strategy and hitting the long shots up the field. This player is often the highest-rated player on the team. Number 4 is primarily defense, responsible for guarding the goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring.

RIDE OFF OR BUMP: A defensive move in which a horse’s shoulder is pressed into the shoulder of another player’s horse in an attempt to drive them off the line of the ball. Legal bumping of an opponent’s horse takes place at no more than a 45-degree angle.

THE SPECTATORS

What is a sport without a crowd to cheer on the athletes? Join us on the sidelines to watch polo every Sunday. Heighten your experience by buying a corporate box to entertain clients and reward employees. Details about ticket options are on page 14.

DIVOT STOMP: At half-time, spectators are invited onto the field to replace pieces of turf dug up by the horses during play. A great complement to the Divot Stomp is a tall glass of Champagne!