The objective
Two teams of four riders score by hitting a ball through the opponents’ goal with a long-handled mallet.
Format
Play is divided into periods called chukkers, usually about seven minutes each. Players change horses — known as polo ponies, though most are horse-sized — between chukkers.
Words to know
Handicap: a player’s rating, from −2 to 10 goals. Line of the ball: the right of way that governs safe play. Divot stomping: the halftime tradition of spectators treading down the turf.
Following the action
Watch for teams switching ends after each goal, and the umpires on horseback following play.
Sources
By National Horse Co. Editorial Team · Checked against cited sources 2026-10-03. National Horse Co. is not affiliated with the organizations cited.