New to polo?
Start here—even if you have never ridden or are helping your child try something new. You do not need to know the jargon.
What is polo?
Two mounted teams use mallets to score goals. Grass polo normally has four players per team; arena polo normally has three. Ponies are the sporting partners at the heart of the game.
What is a chukka?
A chukka (also spelt chukker) is a period of play, usually around seven minutes. Matches contain several periods, with breaks. Timing and formats vary by competition.
Your first lesson
Ask for a beginner or introductory lesson and tell the club honestly about your riding experience. Some schools welcome complete non-riders. Ask what is included, who teaches you and how the session is adapted to your confidence. Do not book competitive play as your first lesson.
What do I need to bring?
Before buying kit, ask what the club lends and what you must bring. Confirm a correctly fitted helmet meeting the applicable rules, suitable riding footwear, long comfortable trousers and any required eye or knee protection. Ask about a mallet, gloves and pony hire. Staff should check your equipment before you mount; ordinary shoes or a bicycle helmet are not substitutes for approved riding equipment.
A parent’s checklist
Ask about minimum age, riding ability, supervision, safeguarding contact, first aid, collection arrangements and photography permissions. Confirm whether you should stay and where to wait. Check the full price, pony hire, memberships, consent and cancellation terms. Book for the child—not in your own name as the rider—and give relevant emergency information privately to authorised staff.
Just coming to watch?
You are welcome to explore public events without playing. Check admission, times, parking and accessibility with the host. Stay in designated spectator areas, supervise children and follow instructions around ponies and moving play. Only go onto the field when the organisers explicitly invite you.
Ponies come first
Your instructor chooses an appropriate pony and workload. Rest, welfare and preparation matter more than keeping a timetable. Ask before approaching, feeding or handling a pony. Tell staff promptly if anything looks wrong; do not change tack or ride a different pony without their approval.
A few useful words
Stick-and-ball: practice with a mallet and ball. Clinic: a coached session or course. Handicap: a playing-level rating, not a medical description. Livery: a pony’s care and accommodation arrangement. Groom: a pony-care professional. Umpire: an official applying the rules. Ask your coach about the line of the ball and safe right of way before joining play.