Polo players must have good balance to lean over and hit the ball at a gallop As the announcer chatters excitedly describing each team's movements the black team's Number Two player knocks the ball down the field passing it to the Number One player on his team Number One hits the ball toward the red team's goal There are no goaltenders in polo The red team's Number Four plays defense and tries to move the ball away from his team's goal But the black team
works together and with one good hit of his mallet the Number One black player sends the ball rolling through the red goal The spectators in the stands yell with approval and the announcer excitedly calls out the score The game continues until finally the black team wins 13 to 11 The players congratulate each other and their tired horses are led off to be groomed and to rest A TEAM SPORT Just what is this game It might seem like an odd combination of soccer football and horseback riding It may not be familiar to many Americans But this game called polo or horse polo to tell it apart from other types of polo is thousands of years old It has been played all over the world from ancient times to the present day And in some countries people follow their polo teams with as much energy as any football or basketball fan Polo is a game of traditions Spectators at some polo matches especially those that take place at polo clubs dress up in their best clothes Women wear huge fancy hats During the halftime or between the game's periods
spectators go out on the field and stomp down the divots of earth and grass that the horses hooves have churned up This makes the field smoother again for play But polo is also a serious sport Players must be skilled at both riding and hitting the ball They must control their horses while also engaging in the game and getting the ball into the goal Their horses must have stamina for long periods of galloping They must be able to turn quickly They must also be well trained and tuned to the signals and body language of their riders But for people who love both riding and competitive sports horse polo can be the perfect game Flat shoes are useful for stomping down the grass and soil on the field
