A-Z OF POLO
AFETY When you hear the
S commentator refer to a safety 60 , it means a defending player has hit the ball over his own backline , giving the attacking team a free shot . This is taken 60 yards out from the back line , opposite the point where it went out of play and is the equivalent of a corner in football .
EN-GOALER If you are a 10 you
T are probably South American . Unlike golf , the higher the handicap the better the player in polo and 10 is as high as you can go . There is only ever a handful at any one time – a very rare club indeed and The Cartier Queen ’ s Cup is the perfect opportunity to watch them in action . There are five this year so remember their hat colours and watch the world ’ s best at play .
MPIRES The smart chaps in
U black and white stripes riding around the field are umpires .
Cross them at your peril if you are playing . They have the power to award penalties , hand out yellow cards , move the ball closer to your opponent ’ s goal or ask you to leave the field . All Cartier Queen ’ s Cup umpires are experienced former players who know , and have seen , every trick in the book .
ICTORY Regardless of handicap , every game is played
V to win . These players have the competitve streak runnng through their veins .
ATCH Polo is not renowned
W for its prizes − the honour of winning for your patron is usually enough , but Cartier adds an extra kudos with its gorgeous watches as prizes .
FACTOR The world ’ s best
X players and ponies plus some gorgeous guests always give
The Cartier Queen ’ s Cup the x-factor . Beautiful players , perfect ponies and great games played in the spectacular setting of Guards Polo Club in the Windsor Great Park .
ELLOW FLAG Only in the
Y high-goal can umpires show a yellow flag . Two flags in a game means the player is sent off the field for two minutes , but three will see the player sent off immediately . Very rare , but an effective deterent .
ACARA Lyndon Lea ’ s talented
Z team , who are looking to achieve their third victory in
the Cartier Queen ’ s Cup this year . Great ponies and brilliant players always make a winning combination so they may just do it .
GUARDS POLO CLUB 111