Polo is played in around eighty countries worldwide. Indeed, unlike most sports, it is played somewhere in the world all year round — from England to Argentina, from the USA to India and from Switzerland yes, there is even snow Polo to the Gulf. Polo on snow in St. The History of Polo. Polo Today. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie Settings Accept All. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.
We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. As mounted Armies swept back and forth across this part of the world, conquering and re-conquering, polo was adopted as the most noble of pastimes by the Kings and Emperors, Shahs and Sultans, Khans and Caliphs of the ancient Persians, Arabs, Mughals, Mongols and Chinese. The great rulers and their horsemen real and legendary, of those early centuries were expected to be brave warriors, skillful hunters and polo players of exceptional prowess.
Some scholars believe that polo originated among the Iranian tribes sometime before Darius-I and his cavalry forged the first great Persian Empire in the 6th century B.
Certainly it is Persian literature and art which give us the richest accounts of polo in antiquity. Some believe that the Chinese the Mongols were the first to try their hands at the game. In the earliest account, Firdausi romanticizes an international match between Turanian force and the followers of Syavoush, a legendary Persian ruler from the earliest centuries of the Empire.
The poet is eloquent in his praise of Syavoush's skills on the polo field. During the 10th century the Persian King Qabus also set down some general rules of polo and especially mentioned the risks and dangers of the game. The 13th century poet Nizami weaves the love story of the Sassanid King Khusru and his beautiful consort Shirin, around her ability on the polo field, and describes matches between Khusru and his courtiers and Shirin and her ladies-in-waiting.
Nurjehan, wife of the 19th century Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was also skilled at polo. Polo was a popular royal pastime for many centuries in China , the Chinese probably having learned the game from the same Indian tribes who were taught by the Persians. The polo stick appears on royal coats of arms in China and the game was part of the court life in the golden age of Chinese classical culture under Ming-Hung, the Radiant Emperor, who as an enthusiastic patron of equestrian activities.
Less cultured, one might think, was the reaction of Emperor Tai Tsu in 9 10 A. Several controversies still run rampant over the exact origins of polo. Depending on what country you are in the exact history of polo can vary.
However, some parts of the history do remain the same. POLO - The oldest team sport, the exact origin of polo is unknown. Polo was probably first played by nomadic warriors over two thousand years ago.
Used for training cavalry, the game was played from Constantinople to Japan in the Middle Ages. Tamerlane's polo grounds can still be seen in Samarkand.
After the mechanisation of the cavalry, where perhaps the most enthusiasm was built for the game, its popularity declined. It was a recognised Olympic sport between and and is now, again, acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee.
Lady Mary of Downton Abbey strikes a fine figure, riding side-saddle to the hunt. But why did ladies ride side-saddle? Rules When played on an open field, each team has 4 players on horseback but when the game is restricted to an enclosed stadium, 3 players take part on each team.
Related articles. Riding Side-Saddle. The History of Cricket. The history and origins of the game of cricket. Polo is one of the only sports where male and female players can compete at the same level within the same match.
Each tournament is open to the public, with some tournaments gaining more popularity than others. The energy is contagious and the evolution of the game, is one to behold. Polo is typically played with two teams. Each team consisting of four players numbered , and each player has different role within the team.
0コメント