The Rools of Arena Polo, somewhat… by Mike Hobday © 2005

For the budding University player!

35mph, riding a horse (in control as well), hitting a ball about 3” in size (moving definitely, bouncing maybe) with a cane over 4 feet in length, throw in a juvenile delinquent on a horse trying to stop you both legally and illegally, complicated protractor type rules as well as ego-manical team-mates and you have the game of Polo. Easy!

Handicaps: Very definitely a persons ability to make a horllicks! Unlike golf where scratch or zero is best, in Polo the maximum or best is 10. There are very few 10’s in the world, maybe as few as nine. In the UK the best is 7! Our best University player is 5 goals. Most players in the UK get to the heady heights of 1 or 2, so don’t give up the day job just yet.

Hooking: Not a night time affliction, but a method in Polo where you are allowed to use your stick to stop an opponent from striking the ball. Done properly you can really inflict some pain!

Riding off: Not into the sunset with the love of your life but another way you can win the right to hit the ball or put off your opponent. Shoulder to shoulder (horse please), no more than 45 degrees, travelling at the same speed. The umpire will take a dim view if you are SEEN to use your elbows to good effect or to ride your opponent into the walls.

Rules: There are many pages written, but seldom read, but the major rule is safety. The line (Kate Moss sponsorship opportunity) of the ball is the main rule with players trying to get as near to this as possible without causing danger to others. If someone dives in front of you or swerves onto the line causing you to take evasive action then a foul may be called. This guarantees “McEnroe” type calls from all sides!

Competitive aggression occasionally boils over and decisions are then down to the Umpire, who is like a mounted policeman, to oversee the game. They will often be asked by an aggrieved player to prove their parentage!

Scoring: No, not a night-time activity, it’s when the ball goes into the goal. One goal is awarded. The only time a ½ is awarded is before the game when the handicaps are different. The winner is the highest scoring team!

Equipment: The ponies wear more leather than you would find in a club in Holland, but the suppliers say it’s all needed. Manes are ct off a la Vidal Sasson and tails taped up. Umm lovely. Legs are bandaged or booted. Players wear whites, tight if you are called Graham Norton, brown boots, helmets of a myriad of colours and if lucky, knee pads to protect the elbows.. oops knees!

History: I hope your all sitting comfortably! Originating 2,600 years ago, (no I wasn’t there) it started in Persia. Played by the hordes of Gengis Khan with the heads of vanquished warriors (moral: Don’t lose to Gengis!), then on to Japan where it was played by the Royal ladies, and men couldn’t watch. The modern game played by over 100 countries on a pich the size of 6 footy piches. Arena Polo has been played in the UK since 1990. The name Polo comes from the word Pulu, the willow root the ball was originally made of, not what comes out the back of your pony!