Polo at Hurtwood Park

The A-Z of Polo

Aim

The aim of the game is to beat the opposing team.

Ball

White and made of plastic or wood. It weighs four and a half ounces and is three and a half inches in diameter.

Chukka

There are six chukkas in high handicap matches each lasting seven minutes plus up to thirty seconds overtime. There is no overtime at the end of the sixth chukka unless the score is tied and a seventh chukka is played. Players return to the field each chukka with a fresh pony.

Divot

Divots are the pieces of turf kicked up by the ponies during play. They are replaced at half-time and trodden in by the spectators.

Equestrian

Though the players may gain the glory without their ponies they couldn’t compete. Using horses makes polo an equestrian sport.

Field

The polo field is 300 yards by 160 yards, or the equivalent area of three football pitches. The goal-posts, which collapse on severe impact, are set eight yards apart.

Goal

Any time the ball crosses at any height, the line between the goal- posts, it is considered a goal regardless of who knocks it through (including the pony) to equalise wind and turf conditions the teams change ends after each goal is scored.

Handicap

All players are rated on a scale of -2 to 10 (the higher the better). Although the word ‘goal’ is used it bears no relation to the amount of goals a player scores but to his horsemanship, range of strokes and speed of play. The team handicap equals the sum of it’s players’ handicaps. In matches of six chukkas the team with the lower handicap is awarded the difference in goals at the start of the game.

Injury

Polo is a highly physical sport. With horses, players and mallets flying up and down the field there is always the chance of someone getting injured. Although serious injuries are rare in polo they can occur and so, just like the VET, there is always a doctor in attendance at matches.

Judges (Goal)

These are the men standing by the goal posts in hard hats whose job it is to decide if the ball passed between the posts and if it did so legally.

Knock-in

Should a team hit the ball across the opponent’s backline during an attack, the defending team resumes the game with a free hit from the backline where the ball went over

Line of the Ball

The line of the ball – the imaginary line along which the ball travels – represents a right of way for the player who last struck the ball. There are strict rules governing opponents’ entry into that right of way.

Mallet

The shaft is usually made from bamboo and the head from either bamboo root or hard wood. The side of the head is used to strike the ball and not the ends as in croquet. Mallets range in length according to the size of the pony played and vary from 48 to 54 inches.

Neckshot

A mallet stroke hitting the ball under the pony’s neck.

Out of Bounds

When a ball goes over the sideboards it is considered out of bounds and the umpire throws the ball in between the two teams at the point at which it left the field of play.

Penalty

A free hit towards the goal is awarded when a foul is committed, the hit is taken from a set distance, dependent on the severity of the offence. Penalty Distances

Query

When one of the mounted umpires questions the other’s decision they refer to the Third Man. The third man is a referee who sits on the sidelines and arbitrates any disagreements between the umpires.

Ride Off

Two riders may make contact and attempt to push each other off the line to prevent the opponent striking the ball. It is primarily intended for the ponies to do the pushing in a ride-off but a player is allowed to use his body (but not his elbows)

Sudden Death

In the event of a tied score at the end of the final chukka there will be a five minute break to allow the players to catch their breath and change to fresh mount before beginning a sudden-death chukka. The first team to score wins.

Time Out

Called by the umpire when a foul is committed, an accident occurs or at his discretion. A player may call time-out if he has broken tack or is injured. Time-out is not permitted for players to change ponies or for replacing a broken mallet.

Umpires

Two mounted umpires consult each other after every foul, imposing a penalty if and when they agree. See QUERY.

Vet

There is always a vet in attendance at polo matches to ensure the welfare of the ponies and to treat any injuries to the ponies should they occur.

Whites

In most sports there is a set dress code and polo is no different. When in tournaments and chukkas players must always wear white trousers.

X-ing the Line

‘Crossing the line’ is the most frequent foul in polo. This involves encroaching on the right of way of the player who last struck the ball. The severity of the penalty awarded for crossing the line of the ball depends upon where it happens on the polo field. See PENALTY.

Yell

A loud yet polite noise the crowd are asked to make in support of the teams. A loud but not always polite noise the players make during the game.

Zone (Safety)

The area around the field which is out of bounds for the spectators during play

Play, learn & watch polo at the foot of the Surrey hills

Get involved with polo at Hurtwood Park

Hurtwood Park Polo Club welcomes everyone to come and experience the excitement of the game. Whether you would like to participate, to take lessons or to spectate, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us today to discuss playing, learning or watching polo at Hurtwood Park.