The Wine Festival at The Plains Virginia

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Polo is the oldest organized sport in the world. It was first known to be played on a barren campground by nomadic warriors more than 2,000 years ago. The British Cavalry drew up the earliest rules in the 1850s. By the 1930s polo was in the midst of a Golden Age – an Olympic sport that drew enormous crowds. In the past 20 years, polo in this country has undergone a remarkable expansion. There are now more than 225 clubs with over 3,000 players in the US Polo Association.

This intensely physical endeavor can resemble a ballet from across the field, but up close, the sweat and dirt on the players and the heaving, blowing horses tell the story of a rough and arduous game that demands the ultimate in skill, fitness and strength from all participants. A match lasts about 1 ½ hours and is divided into six 7-minute periods or chukkers.

The enormous size of the playing field (10 acres), the momentum of the galloping horses and the ball’s unexpected changes of direction, makes for a very lively challenge. Please join us to cheer on the teams and ponies, enjoy field-side cuisine, and just have a GREAT time enjoying the spectacular and romantic sport of kings .... polo.

What You'll See ...

One Umpire - stationary on the South side of the field.
Two Referees - on horseback.
Two Goal Judges - one stationed between the goal posts of each goal.
Four Members of each Team - numbered 1 through 4.
MANY different horses! players use a "fresh horse" for each of 6 chukkers.
Incredible equestrian skills, lots of galloping and major league action!

How It Works ...

The game of polo is governed by two basic concepts; 1. polo is a team sport with each of the 4 team mates playing a specific position yet supporting the entire team in both offense and defense, and 2. the "line of the ball."

The line of the ball is created once the ball is struck and does not change until it is struck again, sending the ball in a different direction. The line of the ball is used in many ways, most importantly to act as an imaginary buffer to avoid collisions when two or more players ride to the ball for strike. The players must hit the ball to their right side (the "off side") and may not cross the line of the ball if doing so would cause a hazardous situation. A score is achieved when the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts of the opposing team.

Polo Terms ...

Chukker - a 7 minute period; six per game with 3 minutes between chukkers.
Off Side - the player's right side, where they hit the ball to.
Line of the Ball - imaginary line created by the ball traveling from point to point set in motion by a strike.
Throw In - the start of each game and each chukker where the umpire tosses the ball between both teams who are lined up at midfield facing the umpire.

Click here for a Polo Glossary

What You Can Do ...

The half time "Virginia Wine Divot Stomp" is a MUST for all spectators and a long standing tradition of polo so get your glasses ready ....!