The Game of Polo

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About the Game of Polo

by Saskia Mier

Polo is a wonderful sport for spectators, offering a thrilling blend of speed, skill, and strategy. The thunderous gallop of horses, the precise swing of mallets, and the exhilarating chase for the ball create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Fans can follow the fast-paced action easily, with clear views of the field and exciting moments of play. 

Each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts. The modern game lasts roughly two hours and is divided into periods of play called chukkas, of which there are four to eight, 7-minute chukkas. 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. During the intervals, each player dismounts and gets on a fresh horse. At the higher levels, the professionals are switching horses every 3-4 minutes, maybe more, to keep the fresh horse advantage. 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 ball back into play.

The traditional sport of field polo is played on a grass pitch up to 300x160 yards (270x150m). It is played with a solid plastic ball which has mostly replaced the wooden version.

Arena polo is played within a regulation arena with solid walls or fencing (not rails), typically 100x50 yards (91x45m). Only three players are required per team and the game usually involves more manoeuvring and shorter plays at lower speeds due to space limitations of arenas. A small air-filled ball, similar to a small football, is used to score. 

Handicaps

In matches played by handicapped players, as opposed to open competition, where handicaps are not considered), the handicaps of all four players are totalled. The team with the lower handicap will start the game, with the difference between their total handicap and other team's added to the scoreboard at the beiining of the match.

The handicap of a player is measured in Goals (or Goles in Spanish) from -2 goals to 10 goals for each player). Rather like handicap in Golf except the higher the number the better. Player's Handicap goals are divided into three classes written as HCP plus Alto, Medio or Bajo. Alto meaning high (for professionals), Medio medium and Bajo low (for novices, -2 and above).

In a handicap tournament, the teams must have a similar handicap range. The team handicap is the sum of the four players handicaps. In the Sotograde Summer International Tournaments, for example, the Copa de Bronze is for novices forming a team with total 6-8 goles, the Copa de Plata is for higher handicap players forming a team with total 12-14 goles, and the Copa de Oro tournament is for top professional players forming a team with 22-24 goles).