Polo
Polo is a high-speed team sport played on horseback — two teams of four players use mallets to hit a ball through goalposts on a field 300 yards long. Often called 'the game of kings,' it requires exceptional horsemanship and tactical play.
History
Polo originated in Persia over 2,500 years ago as cavalry training. It spread to India, where British army officers adopted it in the 19th century and brought it back to England. It was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1936 and remains the world's oldest team sport played at international level.
Training focus
- Quick acceleration, sharp turns, and rollbacks
- One-handed riding (reins in left hand, mallet in right)
- Bumping and riding-off opponents legally
- Hitting forehand, backhand, neck shots, and tail shots at speed
- Pony fitness — each match uses 3–6 ponies in rotation
- Field positioning and team play
Common breeds
Gear you'll need
- Polo saddle (light English saddle with deep knee rolls)
- Standing martingale and gag bit common
- Polo wraps or tendon boots on all four legs
- Mallet (49–54 inches depending on pony height)
- Helmet with face guard, knee guards, polo boots
- White breeches and team shirt
Competition format
Matches consist of 4–8 chukkas of 7 minutes each. Players are rated on a handicap scale from -2 (beginner) to 10 (world class — only a handful of players in the world). Team handicap is the sum of player handicaps. Goals scored count as 1, plus or minus handicap difference.
Explore other disciplines
Train smarter with HorseCare
Log sessions, track progression, and plan your competition season — built for serious riders.
Download on the App Store