Gary Knoll
Duties of a Spectator
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nlike most spectator sports, polo requires active participation. If you’re planning to watch, be prepared! Whether you are watching from the Alan Lyle Corey III pavilion, the bleachers or a fieldside space, remember the following points: 1. Keep you eye on the horses. Action often extends quite far beyond the edge of the field and some horses stop faster than others. The riders generally have great control over their mounts, but they are usually paying so much attention to the game, they often are not watching out for spectators. 2. Keep your eye on the ball. Polo balls are made of hard plastic and they might be going as fast as 110 mph. They often do fly off the field at speed. If one is coming towards you, get out of the way. Never ever try to catch it. 3. Keep your pets on a leash and you children close at hand. Dogs may watch the game, but are definitely not welcome to play it. Children love polo, but please do not let them climb on the sideboards or play in the safety zone during a chukker. 4. Be prepared for the half-time divot stomp. Halftime is after the second chukker (in a four chukker game) or the third chukker (in a six chukker game.) Spectators are invited onto the
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Aiken Polo Club 2016
Marcos riding off Horacio Onetto in front of a big crowd
pitch to walk off their picnics and help maintain the field by replacing clods of dirt torn up by galloping hooves and stomping them in. This is also a good time to chat with friends and show off your dress, your dog or your child. Just get back to the sidelines before the players return to the field. 4. Feel free to ask the players or officials if you have any questions about the game after it is over. Polo players are an enthusiastic group and love to talk polo. Compliment a player on his horse, and your relationship will be off to a good start. (“I loved the horse you played in the fourth chukker. Where did that horse come from?”) 5. Keep track of goals scored by each player on your scorecard. Remember that teams change ends after each goal. If the Blue team scores at the west end of the field, they will be trying to score at the east end in after the throw-in. 6. Have fun!
Pam Gleason