The History of Polo
The sun beats down on Miami Beach, as ocean waves crash onto the sandy shoreline. Typically, Miami Beach is full of people in swim shorts and bikinis soaking up the springtime sun.
Springtime temperatures in Miami average 26°, making the days comfortable. However, on this day in late April, the beachgoers have been replaced by a crowd made up of celebrities, high-net earners, and athletes. The sound of crashing waves has been replaced by the thundering hooves of horses galloping on the beach.
This is the Miami Beach Polo World Cup, one of the most luxurious events on the polo circuit. It features eight teams of international polo superstars, including Nic Roldan, Nacho Figueras, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada. In addition to eight teams of world-class polo players, more than 120 horses are on hand for the marquee event.
Polo remains a sport that attracts wealthy individuals. It is a sport of luxury, with many polo fans taking private jet charters to tournaments around the world. The Miami Beach Polo World Cup is the ideal place for individuals to rub elbows with some of the globe’s biggest movers and shakers.
Entrepreneurs, business owners, and celebrities all converge in one place, watching the fast-paced action as horses weighing around 500 kilograms twist, turn, and sprint across the polo pitch. All the while, a player sits in the saddle, swinging a polo mallet to hit the ball between the goalposts.
The Miami Beach competition is just one of the many polo sports events held annually. It is a sport with a global fanbase and an appeal all its own dating back thousands of years.
When was polo created?
Some sports historians consider polo the oldest team sport in the world. Although polo’s origins are unclear, the game likely started when nomadic warriors began playing it more than 2,000 years ago. The first recorded competition was in 600 BC. The Turkomans played the Persians, with the former claiming victory. The name polo may have come from the Tibetan word “Pholo”, which means “ball” or “ballgame”.
Polo’s connection to the rich and famous came right from the start. It has been considered a sport for nobles and wealthy individuals since being first played. Kings, queens, princes, and princesses have all played the game. Whether it was played in Persia or Great Britain, polo was a sport contested by the upper classes.
One of the reasons polo is linked to the upper classes is due to the need for horses to play the game. Players typically need at least two horses for a polo match. It takes a large sum of money to stable multiple horses. In addition, players need to pay for travel, training, and feed for their steeds.
Polo wasn’t just played by the upper classes. It was also contested by militaries as part of training. The sport taught players how to skillfully ride their ponies. The riders had to learn to handle their mallets and outduel their opponents. Many aspects of polo reflected the military battles of the time.
How is polo played?
Polo is like most team sports, as one group aims to outscore their opponents. The team with the most points wins. Polo fields are massive and measure a minimum of 275 metres long and 145 metres wide. There is an area behind the goalposts, measuring 30 metres. Plenty of space is needed for polo events. However, some tournaments and competitions, such as the Miami Beach Polo World Cup use a smaller pitch.
The teams will attempt to move the polo ball into their opponent's half of the field. Teams must knock the polo ball through the opposing team’s goalposts. Players must make contact with the ball with their mallets, as their horses race at top speed. Polo ponies can run up to 48 kilometres per hour. The speed at which a pony runs adds to the difficulty players have hitting the ball.
Players must be expert horse riders. The speed the ponies run can make it difficult to hang onto the reins and remain in the saddle. Horses and players may encounter each other, with players facing the threat of falling from the saddle. Injuries are a possibility, meaning players are not only highly skilled, but they are fearless.
Polo players must be flexible with their play, changing from offence to defence in a matter of seconds. Teams are composed of four players, although some events such as beach polo have teams made up of three players.
What are the world’s largest polo tournaments?
Polo tournaments are held all over the world. Fans can hop on a private jet charter to reach events in some of the most luxurious destinations. The sport of polo is played in more than 90 countries, making it possible to travel the globe to see the sport of kings and queens.
U.S. Polo Championship
The U.S. Open Polo Championship is the most prestigious event of all polo tournaments in North America. Fans book their private jet charters early to see the finals tournament, which sees teams compete for a place in the historic final played in Florida.
Cartier Queen’s Cup
The Cartier Queen’s Cup is an annual polo tournament held in Great Britain. The event occurs in May and June and is made up of players from all over the globe. The tournament is a 22-goal event. Fans will see the top polo players in the world along with their incredible polo ponies.
Argentine Polo Open Championship
Argentina is a country synonymous with football. Yet, Polo is a sport Argentines have been playing since the country’s founding. The Argentine Polo Open Championship is the world’s fifth-oldest polo competition. It isn’t just a tournament that attracts top-notch players. The Argentine Polo Open Championship welcomes glamour to the annual tournament, and the world’s rich and famous flock to it. There are events held in conjunction with the Open Championship at luxurious restaurants and bars.
Who are the world’s most famous polo players?
Polo players may not be as famous as other professional athletes, but within the sport itself, the individuals are legends. Polo is a sport of glitz and glamour. It is a jet-set life for many of the players and fans. When it comes to polo players, there is often more than meets the eye. Although many come from wealthy backgrounds, polo players have a strong competitive edge.
1. Adolfo Cambiaso
Cambiaso is one of the most famous polo players in the world. The Argentine polo star was born into a family of athletes. He is a two-time Konex Award winner for being an Argentine cultural personality. The wealthy polo player is also famous for cloning horses. He has a farm in Argentina with more than 1,000 horses competing in polo and racing.
2. Facundo Pieres
Argentina produces some of the best polo players in the world, and Pires is one of the biggest stars. The Pieres family is well-known in the Argentina sports world. Facundo’s father is the legendary polo player Gonzalo Pieres. Facundo won the WPT, Gold Cup, the Spanish Grand Slam, Sotogrande, and the Torneo International de Sotogrande, some of the biggest polo competitions.
3. Luke Tomlinson
Tomlinson is a former England national team captain. He has played around the world in tournaments and leagues and is considered one of the best in the business. Polo runs deep in the Tomlinson family. His siblings both play professionally, although they haven’t reached the levels of their brother, who has won the Queen's Cup, Gold Cup, and Coronation Cup.
4. Nacho Figueras
Figueras isn’t just a top polo player, but he is a model for the Ralph Lauren clothing company. Due to his stunning good looks and amazing polo-playing ability, Figueras has been called “The David Beckham of Polo”.
Polo, called the sport of kings, is one of the world’s fastest-paced sports. With its combination of action, luxury, and excitement, there is nothing like polo. Visiting one of the world’s biggest tournaments via a private jet charter is the best way to see the sport of kings and queens, and feel the excitement of a big-time event.
