ELDORADO POLO CLUBHow To Watch
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The Game
Polo is played on a massive field the size of nine football fields (300 x 160 yards), to accommodate the intense speed and pace of the game. Horse and player traffic can extend just outside of the low wooden border but as soon as the ball leaves the field, it is out-of-bounds and stops play. Goal posts stand 8 yards apart at either end of the field, and play begins at center field with a throw-in, where teams face each other in designated positions until the umpire throws the ball into play. Player positions are represented by the number they wear on their jersey (from one to four). The Number One player assumes the primary offensive position on the field, and is tasked primarily with scoring, as well as neutralizing the opposing team's Number 4 player (their primary defense). The Number Two is the mover and the shaker, a transition player who backs up the Number One player, and aggressively seeks to move the ball upfield. Number Three focuses on the long game, keeping his or her eye on the big picture strategy and hitting the long shots up the field. This player is often the highest rated player on the team. Finally, player Number Four is primarily responsible for guarding the goal, and preventing the opposing team from scoring. In a low or medium goal game, players have four 7 - 1/2 minute chukkers in which to score, and in a high-goal game, there are six 7 - 1/2 minute chukkers. A goal is scored by hitting the ball between the two goal posts at any height. A goal is confirmed by the flag bearer standing (at a safe distance) behind each goal. It pays to keep you eye on the ball but also on your team because they change directions each time a goal is scored, in order to equalize playing conditions. Because the primary focus in polo is the safety of the horse and of the players, the rules of play focus on avoiding injury. With horses hitting speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, the most significant rule governing play is "right of way," as designated by what is referred to as the "line of the ball." Players can hit the ball from either side of their mounts (though they can only use their right hand to hold the mallet), and once the ball is in play, the "line of the ball" is established. The player who is closest to the ball with the narrowest angle has the right of way. Opposing players cannot cross the line too closely to the player who has the right of way nor can they approach the "on line" player at too sharp an angle, or they risk a foul and subsequent penalty. The severity of the penalty depends on how dangerous the infraction was to the horse or player.
The Athletes
The quality of a polo match is determined by the skill and athleticism of both horse and rider. Players usually require a string of at least 4 ponies for low and medium goal matches; and some players bring up to 10 ponies to high-goal matches. Polo ponies are generally thoroughbreds that stand, on average, 14.2 to 16 hands high at the withers. An ideal polo pony has a steady temperament, is responsive during intense play, and possess stamina, agility and maneuverability. Players come to polo from many paths, whether they have been born and raised in the sport, or have spent time in other riding disciplines only to be drawn to the addictive rush of the polo field. Players in North America are assigned ratings (also called handicaps) by the US{A based on their experience and skill on the field. Beginners are assigned a C (-2) or B (-1) rating. From there. as skills improve the players are rated from from A (0) to the top rating, a 10-goal player. |
Polo Gear
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