Polo is a team sport played outdoors on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface in which a score is made Riders score by driving a white wooden or plastic ball (size 3–3. A ball game is a Game played with a Ball. Someone who plays a ball game is known as a ballplayer. 5 inches, weight 4. 25–4. 75 ounces) into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet. Goals are only valid if the scoring rider is mounted. The traditional sport of polo is played outdoors, and each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.

The modern indoor variant is called arena polo. In arena polo, there are 3 instead of four players on each team and chukkas are 7 1/2 minutes in length. The playing area is 300′ x 150′. ^[1]

Another modern variant is snow polo, which is played either outdoor or indoor on snow on a frozen ground or ice. Each team generally consists of three players and also the equipment differs from the sport of polo. Other variants include elephant polo, bike polo and Segway polo. Segway polo is a team Sport which started to gain some measure of popularity after being played by members of the Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group (Bay Area SEG These sports are considered as separate sports because of the differences in the composition of teams, equipment, rules, game facilities etc.

Contents 1 History 2 The game 2.1 Player positions 3 Polo ponies 4 Players 5 Equipment 6 The field 6.1 Outdoor polo 6.2 Indoor polo 7 The contemporary sport 8 Polo in South East Asia 9 Notable polo players 10 Related sports 10.1 Polo variants 11 Charitable polo matches in the United States 12 References 13 External links

History

Polo was first played in the Persian Empire (modern day Iran) at dates given from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. ^[2] Polo was at first a training game for cavalry units, usually the king's guard or other elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen, who played it with as many as 100 to a side, it was a miniature battle. ^[2] In time polo became a Persian national sport played extensively by the nobility. Women as well as men played the game, as indicated by references to the queen and her ladies engaging King Khosrow II Parviz and his courtiers in the 6th century AD. Khosrau II or Khosrow II ( Chosroes II or Xosrov II in classical sources sometimes called ^[3] Certainly Persian literature and art give us the richest accounts of polo in antiquity. layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infobox Ferdowsi, the famed Iranian poet-historian, gives a number of accounts of royal polo tournaments in his 9th century epic, Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings). Hakīm Abū l-Qāsim Firdawsī Tūsī ( more commonly transliterated as Ferdowsi, (935&ndash1020 was a highly revered Persian Poet. The 9th century is the period from 801 to 900 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Shāhnāmé, or Shāhnāma ((alternative spellings are Shahnama Shahnameh Shahname Shah-Nama, etc In the earliest account, Ferdowsi romanticizes an international match between Turanian force and the followers of Siyâvash, a legendary Persian prince from the earliest centuries of the Empire; the poet is eloquent in his praise of Siyâvash's skills on the polo field. Tūrān ( is the ancient Iranian name for Central Asia, literally meaning "the land of the Tur" Siyâvash (in سياوش) (common spelling Siavash) is a character in Ferdowsi 's epic Shahnameh. Ferdowsi also tells of Emperor Shapur II of the Sassanid dynasty of the 4th century who learned to play polo when he was only seven years old. Shapur II was the ninth King of the Sassanid Empire from 309 to 379 The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 4th century (per the Julian calendar and Anno Domini / Common era) was that Century ^[4]

Valuable for training cavalry, the game was played from Constantinople to Japan by the Middle Ages. Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Known in the East as the Game of Kings. ^[3] The name polo is said to have been derived from the Tibetan word "pulu", meaning ball. Tibetan refers to a group of languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering South Asia as well as by overseas ^[5]

The modern game of polo, though formalized and popularized by the British, is derived from the princes of the Tibeto-Burman kingdom of Manipur (now a state in India) in the Southeastern Himalaya, who played the game while they were in exile in India sometime between 1819 and 1826. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of

The princes were on the run from the Burmese who had overrun their kingdom during what was called the Seven Years' Devastation. The first polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam, India, in 1834. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Silchar (শিলচর Shilchôr, Assamese: শিলচৰ Xilsôr, Sylheti

The origins of the game in Manipur are traced to early precursors of Sagol Kangjei. Sagol Kangjei is a version of Polo popular in the north eastern Indian state of Manipur. ^[6] This was one of three forms of hockey in Manipur, the other ones being field hockey (called Khong Kangjei) and wrestling-hockey (called Mukna Kangjei). Local rituals such as those connected to the Marjing, the Winged-Pony God of Polo and the creation-ritual episodes of the Lai Haraoba festival enacting the life of his son, Khori-Phaba, the polo-playing god of sports. These may indicate an origin prior to the historical records of Manipur, which go back to the 1st Century A. D.

In Manipur, polo is traditionally played with seven players to a side. Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of The players are mounted on the indigenous Manipuri pony, which stands less than 13 hands high. There are no goal posts and a player scored simply by hitting the ball out of either end of the field. Players were also permitted to carry the ball, though that allowed opponents to physically tackle players when they do so. The sticks were made of cane and the balls were made from the roots of bamboo. Colorful cloth pom-poms dangle at sensitive and vulnerable spots around the anatomy of the ponies in order to protect them. Players protected their legs by attaching leather shields to their saddles and girths. ^[7]

In Manipur, the game was not merely a "rich" game but was played even by commoners who owned a pony. ^[5] The kings of Manipur had a royal polo ground within the ramparts of their Kangla Fort. Here they played Manung Kangjei Bung (literally, "Inner Polo Ground”). Public games were held, as they are still today, at the Mapan Kangjei Bung (literally "Outer Polo Ground”), a polo ground just outside the Kangla. Weekly games called Hapta Kangjei (Weekly Polo) were also played in a polo ground outside the current Palace.

The British are credited with spreading polo worldwide in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Military officers imported the game to England in the 1860s. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The establishment of polo clubs throughout England and western Europe followed after the formal codification of rules. ^[7] The 10th Hussars at Aldershot, Hants, introduced polo to England in 1869. Hussar (original Hungarian spelling huszár, plural huszárok, Husaria refers to a number of types of Light cavalry created in Hungary Aldershot is a town in the English County of Hampshire, located on heathland about 60 km (37 miles southwest of London. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The game's governing body in the United Kingdom is the Hurlingham Polo Association, which drew up the first set of formal British rules in 1874, many of which are still in existence. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA is the governing body for Polo in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Year 1874 ( MDCCCLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

This version of polo played in the 19th century was different from the faster form that was played in Manipur. The game was slow and methodical, with little passing between players and few set plays that required specific movements by participants without the ball. Neither players nor horses were trained to play a fast, nonstop game. This form of polo lacked the aggressive methods and equestrian skills to play. In Psychology and other social and Behavioral sciences aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description From the 1800s to the 1910s, a host of teams representing Indian principalities dominated the international polo scene. A principality (or princedom) is a monarchical feudatory or Sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a monarch with the title of Prince ^[7]

Polo found popularity in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and the United States of America. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Chile, officially the Republic of Chile ( Spanish:) is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow Coastal strip wedged between the The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[8][9]

James Gordon Bennett, Jr. organized the first polo match in the United States at Dickel's Riding Academy at 39th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. James Gordon Bennett Jr ( May 10, 1841 in &ndash May 14, 1918 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France The City of New York During the early part of the 20th century, under the leadership of Harry Payne Whitney, polo changed to become a high-speed sport in the United States, differing from the game in England, where it involved short passes to move the ball toward the opposition's goal. Harry Payne Whitney ( April 29 1872 - October 26 1930) was an American businessman Thoroughbred horsebreeder and member of the prominent The United States of America —commonly referred to as the England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Whitney and his teammates used the fast break, sending long passes downfield to riders who had broken away from the pack at a full gallop.

The oldest polo ground in the world is the Imphal Polo Ground in Manipur State established by the British in India. The history of this pologround is contained in the royal chronicle "Cheitharol Kumbaba" starting from AD 33. Lieutenant Sherer, the father of modern polo visited the state and played on this polo ground in the 1850s. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India visited the state in 1901 and measured the pologround as 225 yards long and 110 yards wide. The oldest royal polo square is the 16th century Gilgit Polo Field, Pakistan, while the highest polo ground in the world is on the deosai Plateau Baltistan, Pakistan at 4307 meters (14,000 ft). Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and The Deosai National Park is located in the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir that is known as the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and The oldest polo club in the world still in existence is the Calcutta Polo Club (1862). Year 1862 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Monday

The game

Field polo requires two teams of 4 players each mounted on horseback to play the game. The field is 300 yards long, and either 200 yards or 160 yards wide if there are side boards—these are generally 6" high. There are lightweight goalposts on each side of the field spread 8 yards apart. The object of the game is to score the most goals by hitting the ball through the goal.

In arena polo, played mainly in the United States in large arenas such as armories and riding academies, the size of the field varies due to the size of the floor space, but 100 yards long by 50 yards wide is ideal. Arena polo requires teams of three riders, and goals are scored by passing the ball into a 10' goal recessed into the sideboards. Arena polo uses a ball between 12. 5" and 15" inches in circumference and looks like a miniature soccer ball but is not the same pattern .

A polo game has periods of play, known as chukkas (also chukkers). This term originated in 1898 and is derived from Hindi chakkar from Sanskrit chakra "circle, wheel" (compare chakka). Depending on the rules of the particular tournament or league, a game may have 4, 6 or 8 chukkas; 6 chukkas are most common. [1] Usually, each chukka is 7 minutes long, but some games are played in shorter chukkas. Between chukkas, the players switch to fresh ponies. In less competitive polo leagues, players may play only two ponies, alternating between them. For more competitive leagues, and in United States intercollegiate polo, each pony is played in at most two chukkas.

Games are often played with a handicap in which the sum of the individual players' respective handicaps are compared. Polo handicaps a system created by H L Herbert first president of The Polo Association (USA in 1888 so that teams could be more evenly matched when assessing players of varied The team with the lower handicap is given the difference in handicaps as goals before the start of the game.

The game begins with the two teams of four lined up each team in line forming two rows with the players in order 1, 2, 3, 4 facing the umpire in the center of the playing field. There are two mounted umpires on the field and a referee standing on the sidelines. At the beginning of a game, one of the umpires bowls the ball in hard between the two teams. Teams change goals on ends of the field/arena after each score or chukker for indoor to minimize any wind advantage which may exist. Switching sides also allows each team equal opportunity to start off with the ball on their right side, as all players must hit right-handed.

Player positions

Each position assigned to a player has certain responsibilities:

• Number One is the most offensive position on the field. The number one position generally covers the opposing team's number four.

• Number Two is the most difficult position on the field to play. The number two has an important offensive role of either running through and scoring himself, or passing to the number one and getting in behind him. Defensively he will cover the opposing team's number three--generally the other team's best player. Given the difficulty of this position, it is not uncommon for the best player on the team to play number two so long as another strong player is available to play three.

• Number Three is the tactical leader and must be a long powerful hitter to feed balls to Number Two and Number One as well as maintaining a solid defense. The best player on the team is usually the Number Three player (Usually wielding the highest handicap).

• Number Four is the primary defense player and though he can move anywhere on the field, he often tries to prevent scoring. The excessive defense of the number four allows the number three to commit to more offensive plays knowing he will be covered if he loses the ball.

Polo ponies

The mounts used are called 'polo ponies', although the term pony is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. A pony is a small Horse with a specific conformation and temperament A pony is a small Horse with a specific conformation and temperament The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. They range from 14. 2 to 16 hands high at the withers (one hand equals four inches or 10. See also Hand A hand (or handbreadth) is a unit of length Measurement, originally based on the breadth of a Male Human hand Wither redirects here For the comic character see Wither (comics. 16cm), and weigh between 900-1100 lbs. The polo pony is selected carefully for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and maneuverability. Temperament is critical; the horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. Many are Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred crosses. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed They are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins, and to be responsive to the rider's leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping. Reins are items of Horse tack, used to direct a Horse or other animal used for riding or Driving. A well trained horse will carry his rider smoothly and swiftly to the ball and can account for 60 to 75 percent of the player's skill and net worth to his team.

Polo training generally begins at age three and lasts from about six months to two years. Most horses reach full physical maturity at about age five, and ponies are at their peak of athleticism and training at around age 6 or 7. However, without any accidents, polo ponies may have the ability to play until they are 18 to 20 years of age.

More than one pony is needed to play polo in order to allow tired mounts to be changed for fresh mounts between or even during chukkas. The group of ponies for a given player is commonly referred to as a "string of polo ponies", with a minimum of 2 or 3 ponies in Low Goal matches (with ponies being rested for at least a chukker before reuse), 4 or more ponies for Medium Goal matches (at least one per chukker), many more for the highest levels of competition.

Players

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 American 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 must be played right-handed. Left-handed play was ruled out in 1975 for safety reasons. To date, only 3 players on the world circuit are left-handed.

Equipment

The basic dress of a player is a protective helmet (usually of a distinctive color, to be distinguished at the considerable distance from which onlookers are watching the game), riding boots to just below the knees, white trousers (often ordinary denim jeans), and a colored shirt bearing the number of the player's position. An Equestrian helmet is worn when riding Horses. This type of Helmet is specially designed to protect the rider's head if a person falls off Optional equipment includes one or two gloves, wristbands, kneepads (mandatory in some clubs), spurs, face mask, and a whip. Kneepads or knee pads are Protective gear worn on Knees to protect them against impact Injury during e The word whip describes two basic types of tools A long stick-like device usually slightly flexible with a small bit of leather or cord called a "popper" on the

The outdoor polo ball is made of a high compact plastic, but was formerly made of either bamboo or willow root. The indoor polo ball is leather-covered and inflated and is about 4½ inches (11. 4 cm) in diameter. The outdoor ball is about 3¼ inches (8. 3 cm) in diameter and weighs about four ounces (113. 4 g). The polo mallet has a rubber-wrapped grip and a webbed thong, called thumb sling, for wrapping around the hand. The shaft is made of bamboo-cane with a hardwood head approximately 9½ inches in length. The mallet head weighs from 160 grams to 240 grams, depending on player preference and the type of wood used, and the shaft can vary in weight and flexibility depending on the player’s preference. The weight of the mallet head (also called "cigar") is of important consideration for the more seasoned players. Female players almost always use lighter mallets and cigars than male players. For some polo players, the length of the polo mallet depends on the size of the horse: the taller the horse, the longer the mallet. However, some players prefer to use a single length of mallet regardless of the height of the horse. Either way, playing horses of differing heights requires some adjustment by the rider. Variable sizes of the mallet range from 48 inches to 53 inches. The ball is struck with the longer sides of the mallet head rather than its round and flat tips.

Polo saddles are English-style, similar to jumping saddles although most polo saddles lack a flap under the billets, having instead a saddle blanket. A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load fastened to an animal's back by a girth. English saddles are used to ride Horses in " English riding " disciplines throughout the world A girth, sometimes called a cinch ( Western US) is a piece of equipment used to keep the Saddle in place on a horse or other animal Some players omit the saddle blanket. A breastplate is added, usually attached to the front billet. This can also refer to a piece of riding equipment see Breastplate (tack. A tie-down (standing Martingale) may be used: if so, for safety a breastplate is a necessity. Usually the tie-down is supported by a neck strap. An overgirth may be used. The stirrup irons are heavier than most, and the stirrup leathers are wider and thicker, for added safety when the player stands in the stirrups. For the bone see Stapes. For other uses of the word stirrup see Stirrup (disambiguation. The legs of the pony are wrapped with polo wraps from below the knee to the fetlock to prevent injury. Polo wraps are bandage materials usually made of fleece for a horse's legs Often, these wraps match the team colors. The pony's mane is roached (hogged), and its tail is braided so that it will not snag the rider's mallet. The mane is the hair that grows from the top of the neck of a Horse or other Equine, reaching from the poll to the Withers, and includes

The bit frequently is a gag bit or Pelham bit. The gag bit is a type of bit for a Horse. With two sets of reins the gag bit gives a rider the ability to use either a standard direct action or a gag action A pelham is a type of Curb bit used when riding a horse It consists of a mouthpiece a shank a Curb chain, 2 rein rings per side on the shank and one cheekpiece If a gag bit, there will be a drop noseband in addition to the cavesson supporting the tie-down. There frequently will be two sets of reins, and one set of reins frequently will be a draw rein.

The field

The playing field is 300 yards long by 160 yards wide, the approximate area of nine American football fields. The playing field is carefully maintained with closely mowed turf providing a safe, fast playing surface. Goals are posts which are set eight yards apart, centered at each end of the field. The surface of a polo field requires careful and constant grounds maintenance to keep the surface in good playing condition. During half-time of a match, spectators are invited to go onto the field to participate in a polo tradition called "divot stomping", which has developed to not only help replace the mounds of earth (divots) that are torn up by the horses's hooves, but to afford spectators the opportunity to walk about and socialize.

Outdoor polo

The game consists of six 7 minute chukkas, between or during which players change mounts. At the end of each 7 minute chukka, play continues for an additional 30 seconds or until a stoppage in play, whichever comes first. There is a four minute interval between chukkas and a ten minute halftime. Play is continuous and is only stopped for penalties, broken tack (equipment) or injury to horse or player. The object is to score goals by hitting the ball between the goal posts, no matter how high in the air. If the ball goes wide of the goal, the defending team is allowed a free 'knock-in' from the place where the ball crossed the goal line, thus getting the ball back into play.

Indoor polo

The game consists of four 7 and a half minute periods also called chukkas, during which players may change mounts. Play is continuous and is only stopped for penalties, broken tack (equipment) or injury to horse or player. The object is to score goals by hitting the ball between the goal posts (which is usually a door with motion sensors). Balls cannot go out of bounds unless the arena played in doesn't have nets or anything to stop the ball going over the 4. 5' wall. If the ball goes over it is considered a dead ball and is then bowled in. The arena is smaller than the field that polo is played on outside. Because of the small size of the arena, indoor polo play is slower than outdoor.

The contemporary sport

Polo is now an active sport in 77 countries, and although its tenure as an Olympic sport was limited to 1900–1939, in 1998 the International Olympic Committee recognised it as a sport with a bona fide international governing body, the Federation of International Polo. The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Federation of International Polo was founded in 1983 with headquarters in Beverly Hills, and currently represents the national Polo associations of more than 80 countries

Polo is, however, played professionally in only a few countries, notably Argentina, France, England, Chile, Pakistan, India, Australia, Spain, Canada, Mexico and the United States. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Chile, officially the Republic of Chile ( Spanish:) is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow Coastal strip wedged between the Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[10] Polo is unique among team sports in that amateur players, often the team patrons, routinely hire and play alongside the sport's top professionals.

Argentina dominates the professional sport, as its polo team has been the uninterrupted world champion since 1949 and is today the source of most of the world's 10-goal (i. e. , top-rated) players. In Argentina, polo players are known as "polistas. " In the world of polo, Argentina's Heguy family, Pieres family, or Castagnola family, are to polo what the Barrymore family is to acting or the Khan family to squash. John Sidney Blyth Barrymore ( February 15 1882 – May 29 1942) was an American Actor, frequently called the greatest Acting is the work of an Actor or Actress, which is a person in Theatre, Television, Film, or any other Storytelling Jahangir Khan, HI (born December 10 1963, in Karachi, Pakistan) (sometimes Squash is a racquet sport that was formerly called squash racquets, a reference to the "squashable" soft ball used in the game (compared with the The Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo tournament—over 100 years old—remains the most important polo competitions in the world. The Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo ( Spanish for Argentine Polo Open Championship) is the most important international Polo championship at club level

The U. S. is unique in possessing a professional women's polo league and a men's professional polo league: the United States Women's Polo Federation and the United States Men's Polo Federation, founded in 2000. The United States Women's Polo Federation ( USWPF) coordinates the activities of its United States member teams arranging and supervising women's professional The 32-team league plays across the country.

The modern sport has had difficulty grappling with the traditional social and economic exclusivity associated with a game that is inevitably expensive when played at a serious level. Many polo athletes genuinely desire to broaden public participation in the sport, both as an end in itself and to increase the standard of play. The popularity of polo has grown steadily since the 1980s, and its future appears to have been greatly strengthened by its return as a varsity sport at universities across the world. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989.

The World Polo Championship is held every three years by the Federation of International Polo. The World Polo Championship is held every three years by the Federation of International Polo (FIP Federation of International Polo was founded in 1983 with headquarters in Beverly Hills, and currently represents the national Polo associations of more than 80 countries Brazil won three of the last 4 and came second once. Arena (or indoor) polo is an affordable option for many who wish to play the sport, and the rules are similar. The sport is played in a 300 feet by 150 feet enclosed arena, much like those used for other equestrian sports; the minimum size is 150 feet by 75 feet. There are many arena clubs in the United States, and most major polo clubs, including the Santa Barbara Polo & Raquet Club, have active arena programs. The major differences between the outdoor and indoor games are: speed (outdoor being faster), physicality/roughness (indoor/arena is more physical), ball size (indoor is larger), goal size (because the arena is smaller the goal is smaller), and some penalties. In the United States and Canada, collegiate polo is arena polo; in the UK, collegiate polo is both.

Polo in South East Asia

After an 18 year absence, polo gained Olympic recognition when it was played at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. Polo at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games was held in the VR Sport Club Samut Prakan, Thailand. Nations that competed in the tournament were Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. The tournament's gold medal was won by the Malaysian team, followed by Singapore with silver and Thailand with bronze.

The recent surge of excitement in south-east Asia around the game has resulted in its popularity in cities such as Pattaya, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Pattaya (พัทยา,) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand ( about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta) is the Capital and largest city of Indonesia. In Pattaya alone, there are 3 active polo clubs (Polo Escape, Siam Polo Park and Thai Polo and Equestrian Club. Indonesia, a country without royal ruling, has a polo club (Nusantara Polo Club). A South East Asian Polo Federation was formed with initial meeting in March 2008 that involves Royal Malaysian Polo Association, Thailand Polo Association, Indonesian Polo Association, Singapore Polo Association, Royal Brunai Polo Association and The Philippines Polo Association.

Notable polo players

Related sports

• Buzkashi involves two teams of horsemen, a dead goat and few rules. Prince Shivraj Singh Yuvraja of Jodhpur (born 30 September 1975 is the Crown Prince of Jodhpur and the son of Maharajah Gaj Singh and Maharani Hemlata Rajye daughter Adolfo Cambiaso born April 15, 1975 in Cañuelas, Buenos Aires Province is an Argentine Polo player with a 10 goal handicap Gabriel Donoso Rosselot ( 28 June 1960 &ndash 10 November 2006) was a Chilean polo player considered one of Chile's best polo players John-Paul Clarkin (born 5 June, 1978) is a professional Polo player Henry Brett is an international Polo player Brett has played for and captained the England polo team and has won every major tournament in England and many more James Gordon Bennett Jr ( May 10, 1841 in &ndash May 14, 1918 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France Paul Clarkin was a New Zealander and a renowned Polo player known internationally as 'Mr Polo' Michael Curtiz ( December 24, 1886 - April 10, 1962) was an Academy Award -winning Hungarian-American Film director Thomas Hitchcock Jr ( February 11, 1900 - April 19, 1944) was an American Polo player who was considered one of the greatest Foxhall Parker Keene ( December 18, 1867 - September 25, 1941) was an American Thoroughbred Race horse owner Porfirio Rubirosa Ariza, ( January 22, 1909 in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic - July 5, 1965 in Luke Tomlinson is an international Polo player and is currently vice captain of the England polo team with a handicap of seven goals in Britain Harry Payne Whitney ( April 29 1872 - October 26 1930) was an American businessman Thoroughbred horsebreeder and member of the prominent This page is about the humorist for others with similar names see William Rogers. For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. Robert Langford Modini Stack ( January 13, 1919 &ndash May 14, 2003) was an Emmy Award -winning and Academy Award - nominated Walter Elias Disney (December 5 1901 – December 15 1966 was a multiple Academy Award -winning American Film producer, director, Screenwriter Johnnie Lynn' (born December 19, 1956 in Los Angeles California) is a former American football Defensive back who played Charles Robertson (Hurricane Bob Skene (b May 26, 1914, Assam) was a ten-goal polo player Walter Jones can refer to John Walter Jones (1878&ndash1954 Canadian Premier of Prince Edward Island from 1943&ndash1953 Walter Jones Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis Coleridge Boles ( 4 June 1885 &ndash 25 April 1958) was a soldier and Conservative Party politician in the Stephen Rothwell O'Brien (born 1 April 1957, Mtwara, Tanzania) is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom Kenneth Thomas "Kenney" Jones (born 16 September 1948, Stepney, East London) is a veteran English rock Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford (born 2 October 1950 in Guildford, Surrey) is an English Musician. Jodie Kidd (born 25 September 1978 in Guildford, England) is a Television personality and former English fashion model. Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam GCB GCMG (born July 15, 1946 His Royal Highness Pengiran Digadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Muda Jefri Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien Buzkashi, Kok-boru or Oglak Tartis ( Persian: بزکشی bozkæšī, Tajik: бузкашӣ buzkašī: "goat It is played in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, It is the national game of Afghanistan and a possible precursor of polo. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت,
• Cowboy polo uses rules similar to regular polo, but riders compete with western saddles, usually in a smaller arena, using an inflatable rubber medicine ball. Western saddles are used for Western riding and are the Saddles used on working Horses on Cattle Ranches throughout the United States A medicine ball (also known as an exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball) is a weighted Ball, roughly the diameter of the shoulders (approx
• Horseball is a game played on horseback where a ball is handled and points are scored by shooting it through a high net. Horseball is a Game played on Horseback where a ball is handled and points are scored by shooting it through a high net (approximately 1 The sport is a combination of polo, rugby, and basketball.
• Kokpar is a Kazakh game similar to Buzkashi. Kokpar is a traditional kazakh game played on Horseback in which two teams of players compete to carry a headless Goat carcass into a goal Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan ( Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, qɑzɑqˈstɑn Казахстан, Kazakhstán,) officially the
• Polocrosse is another game played on horseback, a cross between polo and lacrosse. Polocrosse it is a team sport that is played all over the world Lacrosse is a full contact Team sport played using a solid rubber ball and long handled racket called a crosse or Lacrosse stick.
• Pato was played in Argentina for centuries, but is much different than modern polo. Pato is a game played on horseback that combines elements from Polo and Basketball. No mallets are used, and it is not played on grass.

Polo variants

Polo is not played exclusively on horseback. Such polo variants are mostly played for recreational or touristic purposes; they include canoe polo, cycle polo, camel polo, elephant polo, golfcart polo, Segway polo, BMX polo, yak polo and water polo. Canoe polo (called kayak polo in some countries is a competitive ball Sport played on water in a defined "field" between two teams of 5 players each commonly referred to as "Bike Polo" the game is similar to traditional Polo, except that bicycles are used instead of horses Elephant polo is a variant of Polo played whilst riding Elephants It is played in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Rajasthan ( India) Segway polo is a team Sport which started to gain some measure of popularity after being played by members of the Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group (Bay Area SEG Yak polo (or sarlagan polo) is a Mongolian variant of the sport Polo. Water polo is a team water sport A team consists of six field players and one Goalkeeper.

Charitable polo matches in the United States

• The Courage Cup is an annual event held on the third Saturday in June in the Greater Washington, DC area at Sheila C. Johnson Field at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. Great Meadow is a 250-acre field events center and steeplechase course located in The Plains Virginia. The Courage Cup, is a non-profit corporation which hosts this polo fund raiser to raise funds for Work to Ride, a community-based prevention program that aids disadvantaged urban youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education. Work to Ride (WTR is an American nonprofit delinquency prevention program which seeks to aid disadvantaged urban youth (ages 7 to 19 by offering constructive activities

• America's Polo Cup is the world’s only invitational polo sporting event on an international level. On May 9-10, 2008, the America’s Polo Cup will feature the United States challenging Italy for the America’s Polo Cup.

References

• Polo by Penina Meisels and Michael Cronan. Collins Publishers, San Francisco, 1992. ISBN 0-00-637796-3

External links

• The Wikimedia Commons has media related to Polo.
• Federation of International Polo - worldwide governing body of the sport of polo
• Find your way in the word of polo - Online Polo Reference
• Polo Black Cup: A Worldwide University Polo Championship
• Polo Networks Learn to play polo yourself or come and along and watch-find out everything you need to know here
• Polo Contacts Worldwide A global online social community for polo enthusiasts
• Governing body of the sport in the UK
• Polo in the UK-Guards Polo Club
• Nusantara Polo Club, a World Class Polo Club in Indonesia
• Polo offers City pros a level playing field, by Jorn Madslien, BBC News
• Luxury brands target the polo set Luxury brands target the polo set, by Jorn Madslien, BBC News
• Making a mint out of polo ponies, by Jorn Madslien, BBC News
• Pushing boundaries to pay to play polo, by Jorn Madslien, BBC News
• Polo comes back home to Iran, by Frances Harrison, BBC News
• Segway polo Woz Challenge Cup 2007 in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
• Information and news about polo
• Video-on-demand clips of polo matches from around the world
• Poloargentino.info | Database and pedigree simulator for polo argentino horses - spanish

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