Polo is an elite sport that requires training and significant financial investments. However, it is a thrilling spectacle, and thousands of spectators gather to watch the players on horses skillfully score goals. By the way, if you want to earn money to play polo yourself, use a one-time code on Bet9ja to get maximum profit.
Unique Sport with Special Horses
The players can use not all breeds of horses in polo, but only special ones: polo ponies. Even though they are similar in height to ordinary horses, the height limit of 147 cm for ponies was abolished in 1919. These ponies have a stable psyche and a courageous character. Moreover, such horses can quickly gain speed and simultaneously change their speed sharply.
Today, polo is not only a noble sport but also a very expensive one, so it is not accessible to everyone. In order to purchase one polo pony, you will need to spend approximately 50 thousand dollars. Moreover, several such horses should be in the stall since the rider changes them throughout the match (a rare horse will endure a long time on the field because of the stress). But the rules state that a polo player can change no more than six horses during a match. In addition, it is worth considering funds for the maintenance of stables, veterinarian services, and ammunition.
The Emergence of Polo
The everyday life of our ancestors is closely connected with the horse. The horse played a unique role in their lives and was a faithful friend during the war. As numerous written sources testify, in ancient times, the nomadic peoples of Central Asia had many entertainments connected with horses. Today, many sources say that the popular polo game in Europe originated in Central Asia.
The history of polo goes back to ancient Persia, in the second millennium BC. The game spread to Tibetan countries, China, and the Arab East. According to other authors, polo was invented by the Mongols, who were excellent horsemen. Be that as it may, we can surely say that the game was developed among nomads.
Spread of the Sport in Europe
The game, popular in Asia, was liked by the British military, who willingly adopted the new entertainment. In 1862, the first polo club opened in Calcutta, where amateurs could compete in agility and speed. In 1868, the British military brought the new sport to Malta, where it also took root successfully.
Polo fans began to organize competitions between clubs. For example, on September 3, 1875, the teams of England and Ireland met on the field. The new fun could not fail to attract attention in other countries. The games were first played in the British colonies but then gained fans worldwide.
Polo in the Modern World
In recent years, equestrian polo tournaments have ceased to be idle entertainment for the nobility, turning into grandiose charity events. The meeting of guests there resembles a real red carpet. The rating of the games is so high that in the high society calendar opposite the event dates, there is a must-go note. Accordingly, the rich and famous from all over the world gather at them.
For example, the St. The Regis International Cup takes place throughout the year on every continent, and each meeting becomes a national event – say, the annual Queen’s Cup St. The Regis Pink Polo in Bangkok became a protocol event for the Royal House of Thailand. The British Prince Harry warmly supported raising funds for charity through equestrian polo. Continuing the work of his mother, Princess Diana, with Siiso, Prince of Lesotho, he established the Sentebale Foundation for African Children in 2006. So, in the standings, St. Regis has added an event called the Sentebale Polo Cup. Prince Harry plays personally on the Sentebale Huntsman team and wears the number three shirt. The fundraiser itself is elegantly arranged: an invitation ticket to the gala dinner, which, according to regulations, takes place after each tournament, costs more the closer your table is to the royal one. By the way, in Nairobi, there is a polo club too. You can watch the games or even play yourself.
Even though this sport is one of the favorite pastimes of aristocrats, not everyone can achieve significant success in it since the rider and horse must perform as one unit. Playing equestrian polo takes years to hone because it is difficult to imagine a person who can gallop toward the ball on the field to make a correct kick without many years of practice. In addition, horse polo is one of the most traumatic sports because you need to be able to stay in the saddle so as not to fall off.
Conclusion
Today, the International Olympic Committee recognizes polo. This means that there are chances to see polo at the Olympic Games in the near future. Polo is popular today in the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and the USA. And if you like exciting spectacles, be sure to watch at least one match.
