POLO

1. A match is chukkers of 7 minutes, sped up here. A bell rings at 7:00 and play runs on up to 30 more seconds, until the ball stops.
2. Everyone swings right-handed - it's the law. Ride with the ball on your horse's right side, then swing.
3. The moving ball draws a line. The rider following it most closely has the right of way (the ringed horse).
4. Never cut across that rider's path just ahead of them. Crossing is the most common foul, and the other side gets a free hit.
5. Ends change after every goal. At halftime, everyone stomps the divots back into the turf.
6. Expert: bump shoulder to shoulder at 45 degrees or less. Steeper is dangerous riding. Hook a mallet only from the side it's swinging on, or from behind.
7. Fouls are punished by number: Penalty 1 is an awarded goal, 2 a 30-yard hit, 3 a 40-yard hit, 4 a 60-yard hit, 5 from the spot or the center.
8. Handicaps run -2 to 10. The lower team starts with the difference, divided by 6, times the chukkers.

Read the chapter on the polo club →