Polo
animalNichePersia, 600 BC
A team sport played on horseback where riders use long mallets to drive a ball through goalposts. Polo is the oldest team sport in recorded history — fast, physical, and inseparable from its horses.
History
Polo originated in ancient Persia as cavalry training and royal recreation. It spread through Central Asia, India, and China before British colonists codified modern rules in the 1850s. The sport has been played in nearly every culture that rides.
Culture
Polo culture carries an elite reputation, but its roots are working horsemen. The best players come from Argentine estancias where riding starts before walking. The sport demands total partnership between rider and string of ponies.