The Game of Polo can be played in the water or on land. I love to watch both. This review is about Polo that is played on land.
I became interested in Polo after I read a few of Jillie Cooper’s Books. One of the times I was in London I was lucky to see a game.
Mostly I can only watch Polo on TSN, (Canada’s Sport TV Network). One of the most interesting games I watched was when Prince Charles came to the United States and played a few Polo Games.
Last year, (2001), the rules were changed or amended in Canada.
THE RULES, (from when I watched the game. I am putting them in quotation marks in case someone has written about the same things):
1) THE EQUIPMENT:
a) The ball has a diameter of the ball be between 3 and 3.5 inches and weighs between 4.25 to 4.75 ounces.
b) A Player must have a Pony, wear the team jersey, wear a hard hat and have a polo stick.
2) THE FIELD AND OFFICIALS:
a) There is one Referee. There are Goal Judges behind each goal line. At a table there is a Timekeeper, a Scorer and some other Official people.
b) The field is 300 yards in length X 200 yards in width, (if it’s not boarded). If it is boarded, (the boards are about 11 inches high), the field will be 300 yards in length X 160 yards in width.
c) The goal posts are light and about 10 feet high. They are at least 250 yards apart and each goal will be 8 yards wide. They rule for the post’s being light is because the officials want them to break if an animal crashes into it.
d) There is a Safety Zone about 10 yards around the field and 30 yards behind each goal.
e) No spectators are allowed on the field or the safety zones.
4) The game lasts about 42 minutes divided onto 6 chukkas of 7 minutes each. This game cannot end in a tie so the over time chukkers are played until a ball goes out of play, or hits the boards or till the 30 seconds bell rings. It there is no clear winner a chukker of 5 minutes long will be played until there is a winner.
PENALTIES ARE GIVEN WHEN, (I can’t remember them all but these are the ones I do remember):
a) If a whistle is blown for a foul at approximately the same time as a goal is scored:
i) The goal will be disallow if the foul was committed by the attacking side and the foul was confirmed by an official.
ii) The goal will be allowed if the foul was committed by the attacking side and the foul is over-ruled or if the foul was against the defending side whether or not the foul is confirmed.
iii) If the whistle is blown for a foul at the same time as the ball is hit the foul is over-ruled and a 6-minute penalty is given.
b) A player must not catch, hit or kick the ball with anything but his stick.
c) A player may block with any part of their body except with their hand.’
THE DAY I WATCHED THE POLO GAME:
My friends drove me to a field near London. We parked close to the field and got out of the car. In the trunk, (boot), of the car they had a fold up sun chair for each of us. I helped carry the huge umbrella to the place we would be sitting. After we put the umbrella firmly into the ground my girl friend put a large blanket over the ground and we set up the chairs. They had a hamper that had a picnic lunch and a few types of ’spirits.
I watched about 3 chukkers and had a few drinks. Then the
’sprits’ got to me and I don’t remember much of the game after that. I guess that’s the reason I don’t remember many of the rules.
THERE ARE TWO NEW FADS:
1) On T.V. I have watched Polo played in India. Instead of a Horse each Player rides an Elephant is used. It was interesting to see the game played this way.
2) I have not seen this but I read about it in my local newspaper. In Pakistan young boys are being kidnapped to play Polo on a Camel. Why they need to kidnap anyone is beyond my comprehension. I am sure they would find many people who would be willing and able to play Polo on a Camel if they would pay them! I think this is disgraceful and if Camel Polo from Pakistan is ever shown on T.V. I will turn the set off and phone the station and complain about them paying to show this game.
SOME THOUGHTS:
I enjoy watching Polo and do watch it every chance I get.
I hope you enjoyed reading my review and I welcome any comments, (good or bad).
©LL2002