Polo …oddly enough exists in Argentina.

We scored free entradas to the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo- a month long event that features some of the world’s best Polo. Of course, I knew nothing about polo…but I do now. Why is there polo all the way down here? Well, the Brits tried to colonize here unsuccessfully (save for the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina, which Argentina claims as well, except they call them the Malvinas, but that’s another story). But the Brits left some of their culture- rugby and polo. Polo is a natural fit for Argentina with the history of the guacho (cowboy) riding in the Pampas (central plains of the country). And that recipe has churned some of the best players in the world.

We found ourselves in a mix of tourists, high Argentine society, and polo fanatics. There were two matches, one on the auxiliary “cancha” and one in the main hippodromo (stadium). There were plenty of sponsors with their models and booths, from Mercedes Benz to Rolex. There were restaurants that were set up serving champagne and full meals. We opted for the general food court for “agua sin gas”.

We had second row seats and were treated to a great game- it was tied 14-14 at the end of the last “chukka”- period. There are normally 6 periods but when there are high handicapped players, as in this case, they play 8 in regular regulation. It went to a 9th chukka and the crowd was on their feet yelling. There is nothing like seeing 8 horses fly by you at full speed chasing a small little white ball with the two refs following a second or two later with their panting horses.

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