Beginners guide to Polo

If you are following me over on Instagram you may have spotted my recent call to arms for support in securing an outfit for the Polo last weekend. In case you aren’t following me ( Why not, go on lets be friends), in a nutshell I was unexpectedly off to the British Sand Polo championships and as per usual I had absolutely nothing to wear. Such first world problems! I needed outfit ideas pronto. Here’s a post about what to wear if you are needing inspiration.

Anyway, what I’m trying to get to is the point of this post; Polo.

These days you can’t say you’re off to the polo without expecting either:

A A sneaky eye roll from your work colleagues “oooh, someone’s doing well”

OR

B The perpetual question from anyone you happen to mention it to “isn’t that just for posh  people?”

 

So I thought I’d write a post to demystify this sport of kings for the mere mortals out there, a sort of ‘Peasants guide to Polo’ (jokes) Here goes:

History

This sport is OLD. Like really old! Around 600BC someone in Persia decided to mount a pony and start hitting a spherical object with a stick. The fun caught on and somewhere between the Indian Tea planters, the Argentinians and our very own British Cavalry the sport was born. It is the oldest team sport recorded and has been embraced into the British constitution as deeply as Fish & Chips.

A willow ball being struck at pace astride a handsome Argentinian (pony) has become as quintessentially British as afternoon tea.

Due to the expense involved, Polo was, in the past most certainly reserved for Royals and the gentry; one needed sizable pockets to afford the ponies. Take this example:

If you’re watching a 6-chukka grass polo match on a standard 300 x 160 yard field, that game will have a minimum of 25 ponies per team potentially. That’s 50 ponies in total.FIFTY! This breaks down as 2 teams of 4 players per team x 6 chukkas per game, a pony can be changed each chukka so that’s up to 48 so far. Then add on 2 ponies per umpire (there’s 2 umpires) so in fact that 52… ouch.

This make my eyes water! It’s no wonder the sport has been somewhat of a mystery unless you were on the proverbial inside until now.

However, Polo clubs across the country are becoming increasingly inclusive, often renting ponies for a game or for the season. All in all it is becoming a much more accessible sport not just for spectators but for people, even complete beginners who would like to give Polo a try.

The Game

https://youtu.be/McWHL5N1YDg

You’ll have heard of Chukkas which are as intrinsic to Polo as butter is to toast. Essentially chukkas are the phases of play during a game. A game consists of 6-8 chukkas, each lasting seven minutes plus up to 30 seconds of overtime.

At the end of the 6-8 minutes a horn is blown to signal to the players that 30 seconds remain in the chukka! It all gets a bit exciting and the pace picks up even more so.  During the 30 seconds, play continues until a team scores, the ball goes out of play or a player commits a foul. There’s then a quick break during which time players are able to switch ponies (deep pockets).

The break is short, players have just 3 minutes between chukkas and half time is a paltry 5 to 15 minutes.

After scoring the direction of play is changed, this can give you whiplash if you are watching an efficient and effective team! This ensures that play is fair in case the pitch isn’t quite even or perhaps the weather is against you in one particular direction. A goal is awarded every time the ball passes between the goal posts quite simply.

One of the key things about Polo is what is called the ‘line of ball’. The line of the ball, essentially the imaginary line along which the ball is travelling, represents a right of way for the player following nearest that line. The players always approach the ball along this line, either in the direction it is travelling or directly against it. Playing this way ensures that play is fair, but most importantly it keeps the players and ponies as safe as possible.

Teams are made up of 4 players, each having a distinct role:

Player 1- Striker, their objective is to score the goals

Player 2 – Forward, also a goal striker but has more of a defence role

Player 3 – Centre, this role has dual responsibility for offence and defence. It is the pivotal role in the team

Player 4 – Back, this player defends and protects the goal line

Fun fact: There are no left handed polo players! It’s a safety thing. Lefties fear not, you can still play, you’ll just have to learn to do so with your right hand.

Etiquette

So this is a little more subjective but we’ve all seen Pretty Woman right? The stomping of the divots is as much a part of Polo etiquette as is quaffing a glass Verve Cliquot.

Divot stomping usually takes place at half time. Guests are invited to help push the clods of earth back into the field which have been uprooted by the pony’s hooves and the occasional overzealous mallet wielder as they attempt to strike the ball.

The rule of thumb here is to wait to be invited to stomp- no pitch invasions, it’s not very becoming. But most importantly wear shoes without a spiked heel. Flats and a wedge are perfectly acceptable.

If you are attending a big match, usually finals and championship games ladies should wear smart dress .Some of the clubs will have a policy on dress code so do a quick check online before you go.

Gents a collard shirt is expected. Blazers are worn if you are in a formal enclosure such as the Royal box…lucky you!

If you are picnicking at a match or attending preliminary games there will be no stipulations, dress comfortably. You’re quite at your leisure.

Most polo matches are uncovered so make sure you dress for the inclement British weather.

Keep noise to a minimum during play. Avoid cheering loudly as this can spoke the ponies.

Equally photos are discouraged. This has always been because older cameras were potentially noisy and also may have had flash lighting. In this new age of the smart phone, photo’s aren’t’ likely to be as frowned on, but perhaps check around you, see what everyone else is doing and take your que from them.

And perhaps the most important thing to remember when infiltrating this most ancient of team sports, is that anything with 4 hooves and a saddle is referred to as a pony. No matter the age it’s a pony.

If you make it to a match this summer above all else, enjoy and have fun.

Amellia Mae

 

 

 

 

 

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