WELCOME TO POLO 101
Polo 101 classes are held at the beginning of the spring and fall seasons, each March and September. They are advertised in the Daily Sun. Tickets are free and required. Two classes are held each season, 1 week apart. These classes are a very fun and entertaining, educational event.
The growth in The Villages over the years has been incredible. There are so many newcomers that have never been exposed to a polo match. The first images that come to mind of attending a polo event are beautifully dressed woman wearing stilettos, big hats and men in linen. Will it be ok to come to a match looking like that, you bet! Will it be ok to come to a match in your jeans, yes! Will it be ok to bring my grandchildren, yes! Will I be able to meet and talk to the players, yes! Sitting in the stadium, or in the tailgating area, you may be confused by what is happening. We have added this copy of a brochure that is usually available at the stadium during a match. It gives you some of the high points of polo play to help you understand what is going on, and you can enjoy the match. Prior to each season, The Villages Polo club hosts a class called Polo 101 which is wonderful introduction to all facets of the game of polo. We highly recommend it to all newcomers.
The Game
The length of the game is divided into six Chukkers (periods), seven and a half minutes each. The field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide. On the end line at each end are goal posts, twenty four feet apart. Points are scored by hitting the ball between the posts. Each time a goal is scored the teams change direction of play. It is legal to “hook” the hitter’s mallet. It is also legal to ride your horse alongside another horse and push them aside in order to gain possession of the ball. That is called a ‘ride off’ and must be done shoulder to shoulder and at relatively the same speed. In between chukkers there is a four-minute break for players to change ponies. After three chukkers there is a ten-minute “half time.” With time-outs for penalties and the like, a typical match lasts one-and-a-half hours.
Players
There are four players on the field for each team, wearing a jersey numbered 1 through 4.
The roles of each player are:
Mallets
It’s a solid bamboo cane with a hard wood head. It’s about 4 1/2 feet long and you hit a baseball-sized ball made of solid plastic with the side of the mallet, not the end. All players must hold the mallet in the right hand; left-handed play is not allowed.
The Ball
Today’s polo ball is a baseball-sized ball made of solid plastic. Historically polo balls were made out of wood.
The Horse
They are called polo ponies. Most are former race horses, high-speed Thoroughbreds with exceptional abilities. The tail is braided to stay out of the way of the mallet. The mane is clipped off so the player can see the ball, and to prevent the reins from getting tangled up. The idea is for each player to have six ponies - one for each chukker.
Horse Equipment
Polo horses are required to wear a bridle, an English saddle, and their legs are wrapped for support and added protection.
The length of the game is divided into six Chukkers (periods), seven and a half minutes each. The field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide. On the end line at each end are goal posts, twenty four feet apart. Points are scored by hitting the ball between the posts. Each time a goal is scored the teams change direction of play. It is legal to “hook” the hitter’s mallet. It is also legal to ride your horse alongside another horse and push them aside in order to gain possession of the ball. That is called a ‘ride off’ and must be done shoulder to shoulder and at relatively the same speed. In between chukkers there is a four-minute break for players to change ponies. After three chukkers there is a ten-minute “half time.” With time-outs for penalties and the like, a typical match lasts one-and-a-half hours.
Players
There are four players on the field for each team, wearing a jersey numbered 1 through 4.
The roles of each player are:
- #1 The Forward: Always out in front - should score most of the goals.
- #2 The Hustler: Quick and aggressive with fast ponies.
- #3 The Pivot: The quarterback and captain.
- #4 The Back: Defender. There are no goalies. It’s their job to stop the goal shots.
Mallets
It’s a solid bamboo cane with a hard wood head. It’s about 4 1/2 feet long and you hit a baseball-sized ball made of solid plastic with the side of the mallet, not the end. All players must hold the mallet in the right hand; left-handed play is not allowed.
The Ball
Today’s polo ball is a baseball-sized ball made of solid plastic. Historically polo balls were made out of wood.
The Horse
They are called polo ponies. Most are former race horses, high-speed Thoroughbreds with exceptional abilities. The tail is braided to stay out of the way of the mallet. The mane is clipped off so the player can see the ball, and to prevent the reins from getting tangled up. The idea is for each player to have six ponies - one for each chukker.
Horse Equipment
Polo horses are required to wear a bridle, an English saddle, and their legs are wrapped for support and added protection.