52 RIDING, DRIVING AND KINDRED SPORTS 



the day, you will notice the clean, neat style of 

 their strokes and the way the ball obeys their 

 will. This control of the ball is particularly 

 important, because polo is, as is often, though 

 not too often, remarked, a game of combina- 

 tion, and your duty may and often will be to 

 place the ball within reach of one of your side. 

 This passing the ball is one of the marks of 

 a good player. 



Another very important thing to learn is the 

 rules of the game. On the observance of the 

 rules, which are admirably framed in the in- 

 terests of safety and fairplay, depends the 

 success of your side. To the non-observance 

 of rules, penalties are attached, and a single 

 error, wilful or careless on your part, may cost 

 your team a well-fought game. To hit the ball 

 cleanly, to play for your side, and to know and 

 observe the rules, sums up the whole know- 

 ledge which a player need possess to enter 

 upon the enjoyment of one of the most ex- 

 citing and thrilling of our games. Polo indeed 

 is a pastime which treads close on the heels of 

 sport. 



We will suppose, then, that you have suc- 

 ceeded in your endeavour, and that you have 

 two four - year - old ponies which approach 

 somewhat to the ideal polo pony in shape 

 and make. Let us see that we know and 



