Evening star., 1923-04-01

Then the first tournament is sched-
uIed for May Teams from nearby
places have been invited to test the
mettle Of our local players. Middle
burg. Va. has several teams Bryu
Mawr also is in the field, and there are
others. II is not Yet known what teams
VIII accept the challenge Of the War
Department and Fort Myer teams.
Wherever 4 few real polo players gai
together enthusiasm soon is in eyi-
dence. The appeal Of a game that calls
Tor the same keen perception. sense OF
galantry. spirit Of self-sacrifce and
wlthal a bit Of dash that inspired the
knights OF old in their quests, always
will be universal TO the youth Of any
time and any age.
Polo which was first PLAYED in Persia
ooO T. G., now is At the height of its
popularity in all parts OF the world
Many changes have been made. o.
course, and yet the new rules that came
out over two years ago, are the sim
plest and best
Provides Real Thrills
When two teams are strung out in
fast run for the goal with number
being followed by the opposing number
and the rest of the team strung out
behind. man 10 opposing man, in true
polo form. the crowd has the added
thrill Of a horse race Then IL is that
the best horse wins. II number / can
keep ahead Of his pursuers long enough
70 knock the ball between the goal
posts, all IS well. but if his pony is
slow. he is overtaken and the enemy
captures the ball and sends Il back
down the field toward his own goal
Equal IN Importance to the men on
polo team are the ponies. These must
have stamina. speed and hardness
Most POLO ponies get the idea quickly
Of following the ball down the field or
outrunnfng the other pCnies. but to
! teach them 70 stop and turn quickly
when the ball is missed. and learn at
all times to be Subservient to the riders
guidance, takes months Of training
| Made polo ponies always command good
prices. The international ponies may
not have cost fabulous prices when frst
! bought. but when their worth is proved
they sell for thousands Of dollars.
Rules of the Game.
Each side consists of four players
forward. or number I. a back. mum
ber 4, and 2 and 3. Number /
plays out. waiting and watching for
a chance TO take the bail down the field
and score goal. Th- number 4 Of
| the opposing side tries 10 ride him off
the ball. or get il away from him ana
send il back to his own number ,.
who in turn passes * up to number 2
who either places it for their own mum
Der to shoot a goal. or tries for goal
! himself II he il in good position to do
il. A goal counts one point
Any dangerous riding. such Al zig
zaEinE in front Of a man coming on
the line of the ball at too fast gait
10 slow up to avoid a collision. is a
/ foul. The man who has hit the ball
last is on the line of the bail and
must not De crossed or interfered
with except by an opponent riding
/ him off at a safe angle or riding IL
on the ball a far enough distance
ahead 50 there is no danger Of col
lision. Experienced players seldom
have accidents unless a man acct
dentally rides into auuther's stroke
Courtesy and fair play are the watch
! words OF the game.
Training Benefits Soldiers.
The game consists of six or eight
periods tor chukkerS) of play, usually
seven and a half minutes each. with
three minutes between periods to
change ponies and seven minutes in
termission after the first half of the
game The players line up in the
center Of the field. each number
standing back in his own territory
The timekeeper's whistle blows and
the umpire throws the ball in. When
they have had seven and half min
utes of play (time being taken Out
to come back to the center of the
field after a goal or after the ball is
knocked out OF bounds), time is
called.
The players do not stop until the
ball is knocked out Of play either
by hitting the sideboards or being
knocked over the back line or sCor-
! ing a goal There are many fins
points of the game that only come
to a man after years of practice
| That is why you see so many older
| men follow the game with as much
! enthusiasm as the younger ones.
| Polo is recommended by the War
! Department for all branches Of the
service as the game best fitted TO
bring out those qualities most de
sired in a soldier-a sense Of fair
! play. real courage and initiative.
! Civilians always have looked upon 81
| as the royal game Of games and
| Washington is lucky to be able To
! look forward to an active and inter
! esting season at Potomac Park.