The sport of polo has been around for thousands of years, but even today this fascinating sport continues to gain new adherents. This unique sport offers a great combination of strategy, speed and endurance, along with plenty of incredible athletes – both human and equine. This unique combination of exciting elements makes polo a great game for spectators, and spectators from Dubai and India to the wealthy enclaves of West Palm Beach and Beverly Hills have been flocking to their local polo clubs to watch this ancient game come to life in the modern world.
The History of Polo
Like many modern sports, the exact origins of polo are hard to pin down, but many historians feel that this unique equestrian activity traces its history back several thousands of years.
The first polo matches were a world away from the refined sport we know today. These early matches were most likely enjoyed by nomadic tribes of warriors, possibly as a way to hone their equestrian skills for the next mounted battle.
In fact the sport of polo has a long history with the military, and the game was used to train calvary riders in the middle ages. From modern day Istanbul (then known as Constantipole) to the palaces of the Far East, games like polo were used to teach both horsemanship skills and military strategy.
The first formal game of polo took place way back in 600 B.C. between the Turkomans and the Persians, with the Turkomans emerging as the victors. The Persians in particular really took to the game, and when the Persians and Moguls conquered the land that is now modern day India they brought the game of polo along with them. In fact the oldest polo clubs in the world are located in India, a fitting tribute to the importance of the country in the history of polo.
The Rules of the Game
The object of the sport is deceptively simple, but there is a lot of strategy, training and athleticism under the surface. The object of the game of polo is to move the ball down the field, with the ultimate aim of hitting the polo ball through the goal posts. When the ball is hit through those goal posts a score is recorded.
After each goal the two teams then change directions and each team attempts to score another goal. Changing sides after each goal helps to compensate for wind conditions and other incnsistnecies, ensuring that each team has an equal shot at scoring.
The polo team consists of four players and their polo ponies, and the action all takes place on a field which measures 300 yards in length and 160 yards wide. A typical polo match takes about half an hour to play. The match is divided into four timed periods known as chukkers, with each chukker being seven minutes in length.
The game begins when the polo ball is thrown onto the field by the umpire. The umpire also throws the ball onto the field at the beginning of each chukker and after each goal is scored.
In order to reduce the demands on the horses used in the sport players are required to change horses at the conclusion of each chukker. The sport is very demanding of both its human and its equine athletes, and both humans and horses are well conditioned and equistiely trained for the sport. The highly trained equestrian athletes who compete in this sport can be worth in excess of $100,000, and these expensive animals generally receive the best of care. A number of different breeds are used in the sport, but a good number of polo ponies are retired thoroughbred racehorses whose speed and agility is highly sought after in this demanding and fast paced sport.
Traditions and Rankings
Unlike other sports, where the spectators are strictly forbidden to enter the field of play, polo enthusiasts are actually encouraged to get in on the action. During the halftime break at a polo match spectators are encouraged to enjoy the tradition of “divot stomping”. This helps to flatten out the divots and uneven surfaces created by the hooves of the polo ponies during the rough play. This important part of the game helps keep the field safe for play and helps to prevent injuries for both humans and horses.
The sport of polo uses a handicapping system, with each player ranked both by the United States Polo Association (USPA) and their peers using a scale of 2 through 10 goals. These rankings are used to handicap teams on the basis of playing ability.
In addition to the players on the field the game also uses two umpires on horseback. These mounted umpires perform the majority of officiating duties, but a referee located at the middle of the field has the final say when disputes arise. When fouls do take place the referee can give the fouled team a penalty shot.
The modern sport of polo is played throughout the world, but it is especially popular in the United Kingdom, the Middle Eastern kingdom of Dubai and of course in India where the sport has such a rich and storied history. The sport is of course known for attracting well heeled enthusiasts, and the sport of polo is typically associated with the wealthy and the famous.
In fact some of the biggest celebrities in the history of Hollywood and the movies have also been avid polo fans and players. Spencer Tracy famously loved the game, and he used to play a match every week. These days celebrities still enjoy the sport of polo, and star watchers often descend on the polo fields of Los Angeles and West Palm Beach hoping for a glimpse of their favorite celebrity athletes.
The Equine Athletes Who Make the Game So Special
There are many exciting sports out there, but few can match the excitement and athleticism of the sport of polo. By combining the speed and agility of the polo pony with the intelligence and savvy of human players, polo offers something extra special. And no matter how good those human players may be, they are nothing without their equine partners. That is why so much time, care and training goes into creating and maintaining these remarkable four legged athletes.
There are many important elements polo enthusiasts look for when choosing a mount, including speed, agility and athleticism. Polo ponies need to be be able to sprint from one end of the field to the other, stop on a dime and turn just as quickly. Polo ponies also need to get along well with both players and horses, so a good temperament is a must. Many different breeds are used in the sport of polo – the most important thing is that they be trained properly and well conditioned for the sport.
Before polo training can begin the horse must be well broke and easy to ride. After the horse has an understanding of basic gaits and commands it is time to start the training. One of the most important elements of training is simply introducing the horses to the equipment used in the game. Many horses are fearful of polo mallets and other things swinging around their faces, so it is important for players to carefully desensitize their mounts. Approaching the horse slowly and allowing it to sniff the polo mallet is a good way to desensitize the horse, but it is important to proceed with caution.
After the mallet has been accepted polo players may rub it on the horse to further desensitize it. Only after the mallet has been completely accepted will the rider mount up and swing the mallet as he will during the game.
Once the horse has accepted the polo mallet and the rest of the equipment it is time to mount up and ride. A good polo pony is the most essential piece of equipment a player can have, and it is these remarkable athletes that make the sport of polo so special.
The History of Polo
Like many modern sports, the exact origins of polo are hard to pin down, but many historians feel that this unique equestrian activity traces its history back several thousands of years.
The first polo matches were a world away from the refined sport we know today. These early matches were most likely enjoyed by nomadic tribes of warriors, possibly as a way to hone their equestrian skills for the next mounted battle.
In fact the sport of polo has a long history with the military, and the game was used to train calvary riders in the middle ages. From modern day Istanbul (then known as Constantipole) to the palaces of the Far East, games like polo were used to teach both horsemanship skills and military strategy.
The first formal game of polo took place way back in 600 B.C. between the Turkomans and the Persians, with the Turkomans emerging as the victors. The Persians in particular really took to the game, and when the Persians and Moguls conquered the land that is now modern day India they brought the game of polo along with them. In fact the oldest polo clubs in the world are located in India, a fitting tribute to the importance of the country in the history of polo.
The Rules of the Game
The object of the sport is deceptively simple, but there is a lot of strategy, training and athleticism under the surface. The object of the game of polo is to move the ball down the field, with the ultimate aim of hitting the polo ball through the goal posts. When the ball is hit through those goal posts a score is recorded.
After each goal the two teams then change directions and each team attempts to score another goal. Changing sides after each goal helps to compensate for wind conditions and other incnsistnecies, ensuring that each team has an equal shot at scoring.
The polo team consists of four players and their polo ponies, and the action all takes place on a field which measures 300 yards in length and 160 yards wide. A typical polo match takes about half an hour to play. The match is divided into four timed periods known as chukkers, with each chukker being seven minutes in length.
The game begins when the polo ball is thrown onto the field by the umpire. The umpire also throws the ball onto the field at the beginning of each chukker and after each goal is scored.
In order to reduce the demands on the horses used in the sport players are required to change horses at the conclusion of each chukker. The sport is very demanding of both its human and its equine athletes, and both humans and horses are well conditioned and equistiely trained for the sport. The highly trained equestrian athletes who compete in this sport can be worth in excess of $100,000, and these expensive animals generally receive the best of care. A number of different breeds are used in the sport, but a good number of polo ponies are retired thoroughbred racehorses whose speed and agility is highly sought after in this demanding and fast paced sport.
Traditions and Rankings
Unlike other sports, where the spectators are strictly forbidden to enter the field of play, polo enthusiasts are actually encouraged to get in on the action. During the halftime break at a polo match spectators are encouraged to enjoy the tradition of “divot stomping”. This helps to flatten out the divots and uneven surfaces created by the hooves of the polo ponies during the rough play. This important part of the game helps keep the field safe for play and helps to prevent injuries for both humans and horses.
The sport of polo uses a handicapping system, with each player ranked both by the United States Polo Association (USPA) and their peers using a scale of 2 through 10 goals. These rankings are used to handicap teams on the basis of playing ability.
In addition to the players on the field the game also uses two umpires on horseback. These mounted umpires perform the majority of officiating duties, but a referee located at the middle of the field has the final say when disputes arise. When fouls do take place the referee can give the fouled team a penalty shot.
The modern sport of polo is played throughout the world, but it is especially popular in the United Kingdom, the Middle Eastern kingdom of Dubai and of course in India where the sport has such a rich and storied history. The sport is of course known for attracting well heeled enthusiasts, and the sport of polo is typically associated with the wealthy and the famous.
In fact some of the biggest celebrities in the history of Hollywood and the movies have also been avid polo fans and players. Spencer Tracy famously loved the game, and he used to play a match every week. These days celebrities still enjoy the sport of polo, and star watchers often descend on the polo fields of Los Angeles and West Palm Beach hoping for a glimpse of their favorite celebrity athletes.
The Equine Athletes Who Make the Game So Special
There are many exciting sports out there, but few can match the excitement and athleticism of the sport of polo. By combining the speed and agility of the polo pony with the intelligence and savvy of human players, polo offers something extra special. And no matter how good those human players may be, they are nothing without their equine partners. That is why so much time, care and training goes into creating and maintaining these remarkable four legged athletes.
There are many important elements polo enthusiasts look for when choosing a mount, including speed, agility and athleticism. Polo ponies need to be be able to sprint from one end of the field to the other, stop on a dime and turn just as quickly. Polo ponies also need to get along well with both players and horses, so a good temperament is a must. Many different breeds are used in the sport of polo – the most important thing is that they be trained properly and well conditioned for the sport.
Before polo training can begin the horse must be well broke and easy to ride. After the horse has an understanding of basic gaits and commands it is time to start the training. One of the most important elements of training is simply introducing the horses to the equipment used in the game. Many horses are fearful of polo mallets and other things swinging around their faces, so it is important for players to carefully desensitize their mounts. Approaching the horse slowly and allowing it to sniff the polo mallet is a good way to desensitize the horse, but it is important to proceed with caution.
After the mallet has been accepted polo players may rub it on the horse to further desensitize it. Only after the mallet has been completely accepted will the rider mount up and swing the mallet as he will during the game.
Once the horse has accepted the polo mallet and the rest of the equipment it is time to mount up and ride. A good polo pony is the most essential piece of equipment a player can have, and it is these remarkable athletes that make the sport of polo so special.
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