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The Game
Winners of:
Play commences when the mounted umpire bowls
the ball between the players who line up opposite each other in
the center field. The game consists of six 7-minute periods
called ‘chukkers’ during which players may change
mounts. There is a four-minute interval between chukkers 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. Teams change goals on ends of
the field after each score to minimize any wind advantage that
may exist. There are two mounted umpires who officiate the game
while a referee on the sidelines makes all the final decisions
concerning penalties or infractions of the rules.
The 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. 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 football, and he is
usually the long ball hitter and playmaker 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.
The field: The playing field is 300
yards long by 150 yards wide, the approximate area of nine
football fields. The playing field is carefully maintained with
closely mowed turf providing a safe, fast playing surface. Goals
are posts that are set eight yards apart at each end of the
field.
The equipment: Mallets are made of
bamboo canes, or poly resins, which provide flexibility, and the
mallet heads of willow or maple. The mallets come in lengths of
49 to 53 inches and selection is made according to the height of
the pony being played. The ball is struck with the side of the
mallet, not with the end. The ball is made of bamboo, willow
root, poly resins, or leather (for indoor arena polo). Its
diameter is 3.5 inches and weighs about 4.5 ounces. All players
must wear a protective helmet with a chinstrap and preferably a
faceguard. Knees are protected with leather knee guards. The
ponies are provided with protective bandages or wraps on all
four legs. Tails are braided, taped or tied to minimize
interference in making the various shots.
Handicaps: Each player is rated on a
scale of minus 2 to plus 10 by regional and national handicap
committees of the US Polo Association. A player’s handicap
is based on his net worth to his/her team with factors
considered such as horsemanship, team play, hitting skills,
anticipation and overall understanding of the game and it’s
rules. The rating given to players is termed in ‘goals’.
For example, if 4 three-goal players formed a team, it would be
a 12 goal rated team. If the opposing teams’ handicap
totaled 10 goals, there would be 2-goal advantage to the first
team at the start of the game. The term ‘goals’ is not
a player’s rating and is not to be confused with how many
times he/she will score in a match, it is just a matter of a
rating system.
Polo ponies: The mounts are called ‘Polo
ponies’, although they are horses ranging from 14.5 to 16
hands high at the wither (one hand equals four inches), and
weighing 900-1000 lbs. The polo pony is selected carefully for
great speed and stamina, similar to the thoroughbreds at
racetracks, as well as agility and maneuverability, similar to
the cow pony used on ranches. When one can combine these traits
and train the horse to carry the rider smoothly and swiftly to
the ball, the horse can account for anywhere from 70-80% of a
player’s ability and net worth to his team.
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