Polo 2010 (Argentina)

Polo

Argentine Championsip «Bicentenaire 1810-2010»

The origins The origins

Of the sport appear to lie in Persia, and the game has been played there for at least Of the sport appear to lie in Persia, and the game has been played there for at least two thousand years, as artwork and contemporary writings indicate. Polo spread slowly two thousand years, as artwork and contemporary writings indicate. Polo spread slowly across Asia, where it was played by kings and courtiers. Many warriors across Asia, where it was played by kings and courtiers. Many warriors played polo because it kept them and their horses fit and ready for battle. played polo because it kept them and their horses fit and ready for battle.

The word polo is originated in Pakistan, where it means “ball” in Balti, a language The word polo is originated in Pakistan, where it means “ball” in Balti, a language native to that region.native to that region.

The gameThe game

There are two teams of four people There are two teams of four people in a game of polo, and two referees. in a game of polo, and two referees. also on horseback .also on horseback .

Each player has a long, flexibleEach player has a long, flexible  stick   stick (taco in Spanish) which is used to hit (taco in Spanish) which is used to hit a ball (made of wooden), with the a ball (made of wooden), with the intent of driving the ball through the intent of driving the ball through the opposing team's goal.opposing team's goal.

  Polo is played in periods Polo is played in periods called called chukkerschukkers; each ; each chukker chukker lasts lasts seven minutes, in between there are seven minutes, in between there are 3 minutes to rest and make changes 3 minutes to rest and make changes Horses are replaced at each Horses are replaced at each chukkerchukker, , sometimes more than a horse is sometimes more than a horse is replaced.replaced.

The horses The horses

Used in polo are called polo ponies but Used in polo are called polo ponies but they are not actually ponies, but rather they are not actually ponies, but rather full sized horses. They are selected for full sized horses. They are selected for speed, agility, and obedience. speed, agility, and obedience.

A good polo pony is capable of stopping A good polo pony is capable of stopping on a dime, working with other horses and on a dime, working with other horses and riders, and moving quickly with the flow riders, and moving quickly with the flow of play; championship horses can of play; championship horses can command hefty sums at sales.command hefty sums at sales.

Horses start training at two to three Horses start training at two to three years of age, and their training may take years of age, and their training may take up a year, and sometimes even longerup a year, and sometimes even longer

PalermoPalermo, the main polo field in Argentina, the main polo field in Argentina

People arrives early to meet friends and have a drink before the play begins People arrives early to meet friends and have a drink before the play begins

Arch and still empty tribunesArch and still empty tribunes

Player getting ready

The day of the final match was extremelly warm (more than 30 degrees) so people The day of the final match was extremelly warm (more than 30 degrees) so people wear hatswear hats

Journalist from sport channels and magazins ready & waitingJournalist from sport channels and magazins ready & waiting

Before the last match, there was a «show», tango, indians, horses, it ended with the Before the last match, there was a «show», tango, indians, horses, it ended with the national anthemnational anthem

The players arrived

FAUL !!! To call the referee’s atention the player raise the «taco»

Waiting for the referee to drop the ball

Time for the referees to drink water and get some rest in between chukers, a very hot day...

Sponsor’s flags

End of the game, Agentina has a new champion: End of the game, Agentina has a new champion: Ellerstina Ellerstina

The referes greet and congratule the winer teamThe referes greet and congratule the winer team

People cross the field to watch and cheer at the new champion

Covered with special blankets horses slowly left the fieldCovered with special blankets horses slowly left the field

The champions with friends & family, arrived to recieve the Cup The champions with friends & family, arrived to recieve the Cup

Champions holding their babies & award to the best polo pony

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Music: Taquito Militar – Mariano MoresMusic: Taquito Militar – Mariano Mores La puñalada – Juan D’arienzoLa puñalada – Juan D’arienzo

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