The game can be played by teams of two, three, or preferably four on each side, if two on eneh side play the periods are two of 15 minutes each, with two minutes' rest after each goal and five minutes' between periods. Teams of three play cmr periods of 15 minutes: of four, four periods of 15 minutes each, with seven minutes' rest be tween them, and two minutes' rest after each goal.
Each team chooses an pine, anti they point a referee, who watches the game from a pony's hack. The teams toss for position on the field. The eight players face each other in fours on the centre of the field. The captain usually takes the place of 'back' to defend his goal and direct his team. In front of him is the 'half back.' while the two forwards (Nos. I and 2) arc close up to the opposing team. I'lay begins as the referee throws the ball, or, in ease it is decided to open the game with a charge, the teams are ordered back to within thirty feet of their respective goals. the ball is then dropped in the centre of the field. and at the sound of the time-keeper's gong all rush for a strike and the game is on. A player may not with his hands or stick touch an opponent or his horse or stick, nor me* he put his stick over his op ponent's horse. in 'riding off,' that is. crowding
an opponent away from the hall, a player must not push or strike with his area or elbow. 1Vhen the ball goes out of hounds over the side line, it is thrown back at the point it teams lining up as in the beginning of the game. When a ball crosses the end line, without passing be tween the goal posts, the side defending that goal has the privilege of a knock-out from the point at which the ball crossed the line. When a player knocks the ball behind the line, at the end at which his goal is situated. it is a safety knock-out, and scores 34 of one goal against his side. If the ball is caromed out or kicked out by a pony it does not thus score. A player in possession of the ball (he who hit it last) has the right of way, and must not be crossed except at a safe distance.
Polo is a rough, exciting game. The breaking of sticks and the unseating of riders is a fre quent occurrence, and °pension:Illy a pony has a had fall. Fresh relays of ponies must be on ha ml at every game, as the sport is an exhausting one. it brings out, however, the natural instinct of the horse, who frequently seems to enter fully into the spirit of the contest.