Polo, horses and people with tango music

1. Polo
Argentine Championsip
«Bicentenaire 1810-2010»

2. The originsThe origins
Of the sport appear to lie in Persia, and the game has been played there for at leastOf the sport appear to lie in Persia, and the game has been played there for at least
two thousand years, as artwork and contemporary writings indicate. Polo spread slowlytwo thousand years, as artwork and contemporary writings indicate. Polo spread slowly
across Asia, where it was played by kings and courtiers. Many warriorsacross Asia, where it was played by kings and courtiers. Many warriors
played polo because it kept them and their horses fit and ready for battle.played polo because it kept them and their horses fit and ready for battle.
The word polo is originated in Pakistan, where it means “ball” in Balti, a languageThe word polo is originated in Pakistan, where it means “ball” in Balti, a language
native to that region.native to that region.

3. The gameThe game
There are two teams of four peopleThere are two teams of four people
in a game of polo, and two referees.in a game of polo, and two referees.
also on horseback .also on horseback .
Each player has a long, flexibleEach player has a long, flexible stickstick
(taco in Spanish) which is used to hit(taco in Spanish) which is used to hit
a ball (made of wooden), with thea ball (made of wooden), with the
intent of driving the ball through theintent of driving the ball through the
opposing team's goal.opposing team's goal.
Polo is played in periodsPolo is played in periods
calledcalled chukkerschukkers; each; each chukkerchukker lastslasts
seven minutes, in between there areseven minutes, in between there are
3 minutes to rest and make changes3 minutes to rest and make changes
Horses are replaced at eachHorses are replaced at each chukkerchukker,,
sometimes more than a horse issometimes more than a horse is
replaced.replaced.

4. The horsesThe horses
Used in polo are called polo ponies butUsed in polo are called polo ponies but
they are not actually ponies, but ratherthey are not actually ponies, but rather
full sized horses. They are selected forfull sized horses. They are selected for
speed, agility, and obedience.speed, agility, and obedience.
A good polo pony is capable of stoppingA good polo pony is capable of stopping
on a dime, working with other horses andon a dime, working with other horses and
riders, and moving quickly with the flowriders, and moving quickly with the flow
of play; championship horses canof play; championship horses can
command hefty sums at sales.command hefty sums at sales.
Horses start training at two to three yearsHorses start training at two to three years
of age, and their training may take up aof age, and their training may take up a
year, and sometimes even longeryear, and sometimes even longer

5. PalermoPalermo, the main polo field in Argentina, the main polo field in Argentina

6. People arrives early to meet friends and have a drink before the play beginsPeople arrives early to meet friends and have a drink before the play begins

11. Arch and still empty tribunesArch and still empty tribunes

12. Player getting ready

14. The day of the final match was extremelly warm (more than 30 degrees) so peopleThe day of the final match was extremelly warm (more than 30 degrees) so people
wear hatswear hats

15. Journalist from sport channels and magazins ready & waitingJournalist from sport channels and magazins ready & waiting

16. Before the last match, there was a «show», tango, indians, horses, it ended with theBefore the last match, there was a «show», tango, indians, horses, it ended with the
national anthemnational anthem

18. The players arrived

21. FAUL !!! To call the referee’s atention the player raise the «taco»

22. Waiting for the referee to drop the ball

23. Time for the referees to drink water and get some rest in between chukers, a very hot
day...

25. Sponsor’s flags

30. End of the game, Agentina has a new champion:End of the game, Agentina has a new champion:
EllerstinaEllerstina
The referes greet and congratule the winer teamThe referes greet and congratule the winer team

31. People cross the field to watch and cheer at the new champion

32. Covered with special blankets horses slowly left the fieldCovered with special blankets horses slowly left the field

34. The champions with friends & family, arrived to recieve the CupThe champions with friends & family, arrived to recieve the Cup

36. Champions holding their babies & award to the best polo pony

37. By Maria
mocampos@gmail.com
Music: Taquito Militar – Mariano MoresMusic: Taquito Militar – Mariano Mores
La puñalada – Juan D’arienzoLa puñalada – Juan D’arienzo
http://www.youtube.com/user/nikkitta8