Game of Kings

POLO is one of the world’s oldest games and also one with the fastest balls, traveling close to 110 miles per hour.

It is foremost a partnership between man and horse to get the ball to the goal while preventing the opposing team from doing so. Brutish but beautiful is the whole exercise.

A polo game is played between two teams with four players on each team.

Just like most team sports, members are divided into the attack or defense. Each has the job of accomplishing their own goal tally while preventing the opponent from scoring.

Rules have been established to keep the riders and horses (called ponies) safe throughout the game.

Before the game begins, teams line up in numerical order in their numbered jersey opposite each other. Then an official starts the match with a throw-in, that is, the ball is rolled between the teams and officially the game begins. Throw-ins occur to begin a match and to resume after a time out.

A polo match is approximately one and one-half hours and divided into seven minute time periods called chukkers. There are six chukkers in a high-goal match. Breaks between chukkers are three minutes long with a 15-minute halftime.

To score, players must drive the ball into the opposing team’s goal. Two mounted umpires control the game. The midfield referee steps in when the umpires disagree. A flagman is positioned behind each goal to determine if a goal is scored.

All players have a handicap from minus two to ten goals. These handicaps are determined by competition committees in the countries where the players compete. They say there are only less than 20 ten goalers in history of polo. For safety reasons, players must hit right-handed.

Polo originated in Southern or Central Asia, most likely in Persia, now Iran. Its invention is dated variously from the sixth century BC to the first century AD. Later on, polo was passed from Persia to other parts of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent. It was very popular in China during the Tang Dynasty and frequently depicted in paintings and statues.

It is known in the East as the Game of Kings.

In 1862, the first polo club, Calcutta Polo Club, was established by two British soldiers. Later they spread the game to their peers in England.

The British are credited with spreading polo worldwide in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.

The Game of Kings has come to Bacolod. The La Provincia Polo Club in Barangay Alangilan has been providing enthusiasts with adrenaline pumping polo matches for the past five years. Boasting a roster of more than 30 horses, it’s a place for nature and animal lovers to get their adrenaline fix.

Last April 7, the first La Provincia Cup was hosted by sponsors such as Havaianas, MegaWorld, Bon Chon, Tom N’ Tom’s Coffee, Nature’s Spring and Sugarland Hotel.

The game was exciting with Negrense players on the Red Team including Buboy Yusay, Cardo Garcia, and Jet Lacson. On the White Team were Manolet Escalante, Tonet Ramos, and James Dinsay.

The game was umpired by Spanish Polo Player Lorenzo Soriano. The Red Team took home the trophy winning 4-3.

Of course, equestrian sports would not be complete without a little jumping exhibition. Leading the equestrian team was SEA Games competitor and Philippine National Team Coach, Janine Santos-Felix, with rider Gaby Herbosa, riding Antoinette Lacson’s horse.

Janine regularly trains our local riders during scheduled clinics at Negros’ very own Equestrian Center located in Talisay City, Happy Horse Farms Equestrian Center.

As with any equestrian event, it would not be complete without cocktails, music, and mingling.

The first La Provincia Cup proved to be a success, with the hopes of reaching more Negrenses to engage in equestrian sports, be it polo, jumping, dressage or just for fun.

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