Polo is a game played on horseback and as such it requires the largest playing field of all sports, with the field measuring 274 metres, about 300 yards long by 183 metres (200 yards) wide.
Sometimes the sidelines are boarded, which means that the field can be reduced to 146 metres or 160 yards.
In polo, two teams with four playes on each team, try to hit a ball through the other team's goal posts whilst using a mallet. Given that this means there are eight horses (plus the referee) galloping around the field, a large field is obviously required !
The size of the field meant that it was a game which was favoured by the aristocracy, since poorer people would not be able to afford a horse, nor would they have access to such a large space to actually play the game. Now it is more accessible to more people, but is still regarded as an upper class activity.
Sometimes the sidelines are boarded, which means that the field can be reduced to 146 metres or 160 yards.
In polo, two teams with four playes on each team, try to hit a ball through the other team's goal posts whilst using a mallet. Given that this means there are eight horses (plus the referee) galloping around the field, a large field is obviously required !
The size of the field meant that it was a game which was favoured by the aristocracy, since poorer people would not be able to afford a horse, nor would they have access to such a large space to actually play the game. Now it is more accessible to more people, but is still regarded as an upper class activity.
