02/08/2026
The earliest written rules of polo
In 1869, officers of the 10th Royal Hussars drafted these handwritten rules after bringing the game from India to England. Many of the principles remain today, while others have evolved as the sport developed.
Swipe through to explore each original rule and see how modern polo has changed.
Rule 1
Modern polo is played with four players per team. Reducing the number of players made the game faster, safer and more tactical, while also creating a consistent format adopted around the world.
Rule 2
The standard polo field remains approximately 300 yards long, making this one of the few rules that has changed very little since 1869.
Rule 3 & 4
The goals are still 8 yards apart, one of the few measurements that has remained unchanged since 1869. Equipment is now regulated by governing bodies such as the HPA and USPA rather than individual clubs, ensuring consistent standards for safety and fair play.
Rule 5
Each chukka still begins with the umpire throwing in the ball. But unlike in 1869, where one player from each team galloped towards it, all eight players now line up before play begins.
Rule 6
The principle of a neutral restart remains the same, although the responsibility now belongs to the umpire mounted on horse.
Rule 7
Hooking is still permitted within the rules, while contact with another horse remains a serious offence.
Protection of the horse has been part of the written rules of polo since 1869, however now, animal welfare is thankfully far more important.
Rule 8
This rule no longer exists and has been replaced by modern right-of-way and line of the ball rules.
As the game evolved, this early positioning rule was replaced by the modern rules that govern safe play today.
Rule 9 & 10
The 10th Hussars played in blue and yellow, beginning a tradition of club colours that continues throughout polo today, with each club now wearing its own registered colours.
Officiating has also evolved from team-appointed umpires to independent mounted officials, with a third umpire used in higher-level matches to ensure consistency and fairness.
