How to play Horse Polo: What are the rules and how do you win?

Polo is an equestrian sport that dates back centuries. The game requires the players to be extremely good at moving while on horseback and strong enough to carry along their principal playing tool, a mallet. In this article, we explain how the game is played and the rules governing it.

With horses being one of the earliest forms of human transport, it is natural that a horseback sport would emerge as a by-product. The first traces of Horse Polo are widely associated with the 6th-century Persian and Turkish civilisations who dominated large swathes of Asia at the time. It is nicknamed ' The Sport of Kings'.

What are the rules of Horse Polo?

The basics of playing polo involve two opposing teams with four players on horseback each, jostling for control of a small ball with the use of wooden mallets. The two teams compete to put the ball past the opponent's goal, and each goal constitutes a point. The duration of the entire game varies from one to two hours, split into small periods named Chukkas.

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What equipment is used in Horse Polo?

The prominent piece of equipment is a trained horse! Each team member requires at least two horses per game to prevent fatigue. There are also specialised saddles that reduce the risk of the player falling down and a customised Horse Polo ball. All players don specialised helmets as well as other protective gear such as arm pads and knee pads.

What attire is worn during Horse Polo games?

White trousers are mandatory for all Polo players. They are generally worn with a white collared shirt and a tweed jacket. The genesis of this style of dress is 19th century India, where Polo was played widely by colonial-era British administrators.

Why is Horse Polo called Polo?

The name Polo is derived from the Tibetan term 'Pholo', which refers to a ball. The name stuck over the years and was taken all over the world through trade and military conquests. Another early name for the sport was Chovqan.

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What are the positions in the game of Horse Polo?

All four players in each team have their defined roles:

Position 1: Attacking offensive player

This position involves the player expected to target the opposition goal the most to score points. Defensively, he marks the opposition's Position 3 player.

Position 2: Offensive player

This position is another offensive player, though the defensive burden is heavier than Position 1. That position is also flexible and can also interchange with Positions 1 and 3.

Position 3: The creator

This slot on the team is occupied by arguably the most important player on the team. This role requires one to dictate the play and create opportunities for the offensive players. It is most similar in style to that of a quarterback in gridiron football.

Position 4: Defensive player

This position anchors the defence and primarily focuses on preventing the opposing team from scoring points. They also move the ball forward towards the attackers during counterattacks.

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What are fouls in the game of Polo?

Here are some of the fouls involved in the game of Horse Polo. They are penalised through penalties and free hits:

1. Playing at a speed higher than the riding speed of the opponent.

2. Intentionally riding into the opponent.

3. Riding outside the boundaries of the field.

4. Two teammates sandwiching an opposition player between them.

5. Intimidating an opponent by galloping head-on towards them.

6. Any act that puts the opponent's pony at the risk of tumbling.

7. Not giving the right of way when appropriate.

Is Horse Polo expensive?

In comparison to other sports, Horse Polo is an expensive sport. For starters, training and rearing horses, as well as transporting them, is a constant cost. All the other elements, such as equipment and fields, also do not come cheap. This is why most of the people who play people hail from higher-income areas. Horse Polo events are also seen as socializing venues for society's high and mighty.

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The sport of Horse Polo is one of the world's oldest sports, but it has still managed to maintain its popularity all over the world in different forms.

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