kids encyclopedia robot
Kids search engine
  • Web
  • Images
  • Kimages
  • Kpedia
  • Español

Polo facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the sport played on horseback. For the clothing, see polo shirt.
Quick facts for kids
Polo
Varsity Polo 2013.jpg
Players playing polo
Highest governing body Federation of International Polo
Nicknames The Sport of Kings
Origin Greater Iran
    • BC/BCE – AD/CE by Eurasian nomadic peoples of Central Asia
    • Developed and formalised c. 1st C. BCE – AD/CE by Persians of the Parthian and Sasanian Empires.
Clubs 90+
Characteristics
Contact Yes
Team members
  • Field polo: 4
  • Arena: 3
Mixed-sex Yes
Type Equestrian, ball game, team sport
Equipment Polo pony, mallet, ball, protective wear
Venue Polo field or arena
Presence
Country or region Worldwide
Olympic Formerly (1900, 1908, 1920–1924 and 1936)

Polo is an exciting team sport played on horseback. It's a game where players use long mallets to hit a ball across a field, trying to score goals. Imagine playing hockey, but while riding a fast horse! Polo is one of the oldest team sports in the world, starting over 2,000 years ago in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran). It's often called "The Sport of Kings" because it was enjoyed by royalty and noble families. Today, polo is played professionally in many countries and is loved by people all over the globe. To play polo, you need to be a skilled rider and physically fit, as it's a fast-paced and active game.

Contents

  • A Look Back: Polo's Ancient Roots
    • How Polo Spread Across the World
    • Polo's Journey to Modern Times
      • Polo in India and Britain
      • Polo in Ireland
      • Polo in Argentina
      • Polo in the United States
  • Polo Today: A Global Game
    • Polo Powerhouses Around the World
      • Argentina: The Polo Capital
      • Polo in East and Southeast Asia
      • Polo in West Asia
      • Polo in India
      • Polo in Pakistan
      • Polo in the United Kingdom
      • Polo in the United States
  • Understanding the Game: Rules of Polo
    • Players and Their Roles
    • The Polo Ball and Mallet
    • Equipment for Safety
    • The Field and Game Time
  • Meet the Polo Ponies
    • What Polo Ponies Wear
  • Different Ways to Play Polo
    • Indoor Arena Polo
      • Arena Polo Tournaments