Although the sport of polo has an elite image fed by glossy photos of celebrities sipping champagne on manicured lawns while top players and patrons jet around the world with strings of ponies, it is played at all levels from Pony Club upwards. The sport’s governing body is the Hurlingham Polo Association.
Participation is growing across the board and it is quite possible to play polo on a budget, with one pony, and enjoy both the game and the social life for similar costs to competing in other disciplines. If you want to give it a try, you can book a lesson at your local club, which will typically include horse hire.
The sport hit the headlines over concerns about the safety requirement of players’ headgear. Guards Polo Club introduced a rule requiring a higher safety standard of hat after one of its players was left in a coma following a serious fall during summer 2014.
The polo season is now in full swing, with excitement building for the start of the Queen's Cup at Guards tomorrow (23 May 2017). Cue champagne, Ferrari-like ponies and and an influx of glamorous Argentines. But for the uninitiated, polo can be a mind-boggling sport.
As the value of top polo ponies continues to soar, more players are turning to the racetrack to source their strings. But what are the benefits and challenges of retraining a thoroughbred for polo?
Wocket Woy, Monty Roberts and 'one of the country's leading dressage riders' will also be in action at the event
“She has been a major inspiration to many young players and made huge contributions to the sport"
“Our ability to come together in times of grief is a tribute to the incredible sport we all cherish. Donovan will forever be in our hearts.”
Nic Roldan met a fellow national star — champion racehorse California Chrome
With the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz (27-29 January 2017) fast approaching, we celebrate snow in it's glamorous guise, with pictures from last year's tournament...
Forget seething jealousies and petty squabbles — some brothers and sisters are enjoying success together at the highest levels. Andrea Oakes asks riders for their top tips for competing against their siblings
It turns out that having a horsey partner doesn’t always mean you both speak the same language
H&H's racing editor Hannah Lemieux, who has finished her first season pointing, heads to Cowdray Park to try her hand at polo. Find out how she gets on...
With the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club looming (Saturday 23 July), when England will take on the Commonwealth, watch Land Rover's 60-second video to swot up on the rules and etiquette of the game
The inaugural Jockeys vs Olympic Legends polo match will take place at Beaufort Polo Club on 19 June
With the polo season in full swing, find out more about the England captain — from his early Pony Club days to his other sporty family members
British polo is facing difficult times with 50% of home international test matches lost during the past two years due to lack of sponsorship
Fast, furious and fashionable — the British polo season has arrived. We pick 10 players to look out for at major matches this year
The pair joined England rugby player Jonathan Joseph for a polo lesson from Hugo Lewis
Following a comprehensive review the Hurlingham Polo Association’s stewards have approved a future amendment to the safety rules
H&H's Rachael Hook tries the sport for the first time and fills fellow novices in on the basics
Juracy Santos and Bob Daniels died on 26 March after falls on the polo field
A mother and daughter team won the tournament at Bad Gastein in Austria
