The 2016 Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo place at Val de Vie Estate on Saturday 5 March 2016. If you’re attending this glamorous event, be sure to brush up your polo knowledge with our useful guide to the rules of the sport:
Player handicaps
Polo handicaps range from -2 up to 10 goals where any player with a 3-goal rating and above is considered to be at professional level. There are only a few players in the world who have reached the expert level of 10 goals
Polo teams
When playing on a full sized grass field there are two teams and each team has four players. There are two umpires on the field and a tournament director alongside the field who assists the umpires when they don’t agree on a ruling
The polo field/ground
The polo ground is approximately 274 meters (300 yards) long, and 146 meters (160 yards) wide if there are boards around the perimeter of the field. These boards keep the ball in play during the game. The polo grounds will also have two upright goals, one at each end of the field, and they each have two goal posts that are 7.3 meters (eight yards) apart and a goal is scored when the ball g oes between the goal posts of the opposing team
Length of match
A full match is made up of four to eight chukkers and each chukker is seven minutes long. At the end of the chukker a bell is rung after which the players then have a further 30 seconds before the second and final bell rings to signal the end of the chukker and the referee blows his whistle. During the match, play stops when the ball goes out of bounds or an umpire stops play because of a foul.
Horses
Although we often refer to them as “polo ponies” the breed of horse that is used in polo is in fact a Thoroughbred and often these horses are retrained from the racetrack. Their speed and agility make up an important part of any polo player’s skill in a game. Because of the fast paced nature of polo, there is too much physical exertion for one horse to be used in more than one chukkers. At the professional level, a player might bring six or more horses to a match.
Polo players
As mentioned earlier, four riders and with a minimum of one horse for each chukker to be played, make up the polo team. Each of the players has certain responsibilities or depending on their position. Positions are numbered 1 to 4 where player 1 plays up field to receive balls; player 2 has the responsibility of taking the ball into the opposing teams’ end of the field; player 3 will take the ball from defence to offense; and player 4 has the main responsibility for defence and distributing the ball.
Most important rule
There is no offside in polo but the “line of the ball” determines who has the right of way. When a ball is struck by a player it creates an imaginary ‘line’. Other players may not cross this line as it would present a danger to the players and ponies. The referee will blow a foul should this happen. According to the level of danger percieved by the referee a penalty will be awarded against the offending team. Players may – shoulder to shoulder – ride or push each other off this line. They may also hook the oponent’s stick across this line preventing the oponent playing that shot.’Crossing the line’ is the most frequent foul in polo.
Changing ends
After a goal is scored, the direction of play will change and teams will change ends. This is to compensate for wind and other factors that could possibly in fluence the game.
Get tickets
Tickets for the Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo are now available on Computicket’s website.
The event offers a luxurious day out for the stylish polo lover. As one of the oldest sports in the world, polo has become known over the years as the Sport of Kings, and the King of Sports. South Africa’s most renowned polo event, the annual Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo in Association with Bentley has after five years firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious events on the South African calendar.
Ticket Options
R950 ticket per person: Veuve Clicquot Gardens
– Shaded seating
– Lovely food offering
– 1 glass of Veuve Clicquot
– Bar services
– Accreditation
– Polo Pitch access
R4000 ticket per person: Veuve Clicquot VIP lounge
– Supreme and elevated view of the polo field as well as the fashion show
– Complete access to the polo pitch
– Shaded lounge seating
– Luxury menu offering
– Private bar service, including the following:
– Unlimited supply of Veuve Clicquot
– Soft drinks
– Butler service
– Private and secure area with security
If you would like to do a group booking a minimum of 10 people is required.
Veuve Clicquot Polo Pitch
Veuve Clicquot Polo Pitch tickets are priced at R200. This area is located on the eastern side of the Val de Vie Pavilion, allowing guests to indulge in a chic picnic party on the side of the polo field. Come and enjoy the ‘Sport of Kings’ the old fashioned way, by rolling out your picnic blanket and enjoying a glass of Veuve Clicquot, ensuring the perfect polo appease!
Remember your picnic blanket and sunhat. No food, drinks and external shading may be brought in. White Bedouin tents will provide shade and Veuve Clicquot hand held umbrellas will be on sale.
Tickets are on sale on Computicket’s website – be sure to book yours now!