Welcome to the worlds oldest and fastest team game and the most exciting of all equestrian sports!
You do not have to be familiar with all the rules to enjoy watching the game, however the following summary of terms and rules will give you a head start in understanding polo.
The Game
The object is to score the most goals by hitting the ball through the opposing side's goal posts. Play starts initially, and after each goal, with an umpire throwing the ball among the players in the middle of the ground. Ends are changed after each goal so that one team will not be disadvantaged by wind direction or lay of the ground. When the ball goes over the sidelines, it is thrown back among the players where it went out. If a player hits the ball over the backline, it is hit back in by a player of opposing team. A new chukka is started by a throw-in at the last position of the ball during the previous period.
Playing Area
Called the ground, it is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, the size of 10 football pitches, with side boards to help prevent polo balls from going out of the ground. Goal posts at each end and are at least 10 feet high and 8 yards apart, they are made of material light enough to collapse in case of a collision.

Teams and Officials
There are four players in each team (three in arena/winter polo); two mounted umpires on the ground; a referee ("Third man") in the stands to arbitrate if umpires disagree; a goal judge behind each goal who signals scores by flag; and a timekeeper.
Periods of Play
Called chukkas, they are of seven minutes duration plus half a minute overtime if the ball is still in play; three minutes between chukkas for changing ponies; and five minutes rest at half time. There are four to six chukkas in a match depending on level of play. If the score is nil or tied at the end of the last chukka, additional chukkas are played until one team scores or the tie is broken.
Handicaps
Players hold handicaps of from -2 to 10 goals depending on their ability. In any one year there are only a dozen or so players in the world with the top rating of 10 goals. A team's rating is an aggregate of it's players handicaps. Except in open tournaments, if one team's handicap is lower than the other's the lower rated team starts the match with a score reflecting the difference.
   
Teamwork

Polo is very much a team game. Positions are No.1 and No.2 forwards; No.3 the pivot man (usually the best player on the team); and No.4 or back, the goal defender.