It is important to remember that polo is a fast-paced, physical game and the four-legged players are big and powerful and can cover a lot of ground very quickly.
They can be far away on the other side of the pitch one minute and very close to you the next. Because of this we ask that spectators stay a minimum of 10 yards away from the boards at the edge of the pitch and keep an eye on the action so that you are aware of where the ponies are at all times. Children may not be aware of the possible risks while a match is in progress, so please ensure they keep their distance.
Take care around the ponies, you should never approach a horse from the back and avoid any sudden movements that may spook them.
On occasions when Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is open to the public, we encourage spectators to relax and enjoy the matches and bring picnics, but please ensure that all rubbish is taken away when you leave. It is also important that wrappers do not blow onto the field of play where they may represent a safety hazard.
Here is a quick quide to Polo:
Handicap
In order to evenly match teams, which may field players of different abilities, a handicap system was introduced to polo in 1888. Players are assigned a handicap from -2 to 10 where a -2 goal player is a beginner and a 10 goal player is the highest standard. It is notoriously difficult to achieve a handicap of 10 and there are very few players in the world who ever attain it. In fact 90 per cent of polo players have handicaps of 2 goals or less.
You arrive at a team’s handicap by adding up the handicaps of each of its players, and matches are played by low, medium or high goal teams, depending on the handicap. Teams of different handicaps can play each other, but if one team’s handicap is higher than their opponents’, the difference is added to the score in the form of goals. A player’s handicap is not an estimate of the amount of goals he or she will score in a game.
Players
There are four players on each team and they wear shirts numbered 1-4, which corresponds to their role in the team.
Number 1 is the most forward and attacking player, like a striker in football, while number 4 is the most defensive player, like a football centre back. There are no goal keepers in polo.
Equipment
Polo is a physical game and all players must wear certain protective items. These include:
- A helmet
- Long boots and knee guards to protect the legs when riding off or if hit by a mallet or ball
- Gloves to protect the hands
The ball is struck with a bamboo mallet. The mallet is about 51 inches long and the part that connects with the ball is known as the mallet head. The head should lie flat to the ground at the point of contact
The ball is wooden and 10 inches in circumference. For arena polo an inflated leather ball is used because the playing area is smaller than an outdoor polo field and this makes it safer.
Polo ponies must also wear protective gear. An English saddle is used and it is securely fastened in place with an extra overgirth in addition to the regular to girth to prevent slipping.
Ponies wear protective leg bandages which also offer support to the tendons and the tail is braided and secured to prevent it from tangling in the mallet.
Periods of Play
Periods of play in polo are called chukkers. A full game is eight seven-minute chukkers per match, although the number of chukkers can be flexible, especially during training matches or in hot weather.
Polo is hard work for the ponies, so to avoid over-exertion, each pony can only play in two chukkers per match with a rest chukker between them.
Scoring
Goals are also counted if a pony ‘kicks’ the ball between the posts. The ball can be passed along the ground or lofted in the air.
Teams change the direction in which they play after a goal is scored in order to neutralise any advantages of sun, wind or uneven playing conditions.
Riding Off
Polo ponies are very courageous and a ride off is essentially an equine ‘body check’. Opponents can be legally taken out of play by means of a bump or ride off. Defending players can neutralise attackers by riding their pony alongside and pushing the opponent off the ball. This can happen at speed but must be executed in a safe way. The angle of collision must be no greater than 45 degrees and two players following the line of the ball have right of way over a single player coming from any other direction.
Polo Shots
- Forehand – the ball goes forward
- Backhand – changes the direction of play
- Neck Shot – ball is hit under the horse’s neck.
- Tail Shot – ball is hit behind and under the horse’s rump.
Penalty Shots and Fouls
There are a number of incidents that will cause the umpire to award a penalty shot. The punishment is dependent on the severity of the offence and they range from:
- An automatic goal
- A free hit from 30 yards to an undefended goal
- A free hit from 40 yards to an undefended goal
- A free hit from 60 yards to a defended goal
- A safety. This is the polo equivalent of a corner in football and is taken in the form of a free hit from 60 yards, opposite the place where the ball went behind the goal line.
There are a number of incidents that will cause the umpire to award a penalty shot. The punishment is dependent on the severity of the offence and they range from:
