“My kingdom for a horse”, Richard the III as expressed by Shakespeare.
The passion for such sports exists vast, far, and unbelievably deep. The “Formula 1” of Equestrian sports, Polo – is a sport filled with questions, intrigue, and dedication.

Every sport has a fiscal reward attached. Although the costs are heavy, and the outcomes unknown, the comparison on a professional level is very apparent. A golfing pro will make millions, just from the sport. A tennis professional banks five figures for every win he achieves in a tournament. Formula 1 racers are the Richie Riches of sport. But, Polo, unless you venture into sub-businesses related to sports, you bank nothing in comparison.

Polo is played in different variations of tournaments, some span over a month, some a week, and most weekly tournaments last for three days over a weekend. The prize money is nothing if distributed between the four-aside game, just enough to buy horse feed and pay off grooms. Hilario Ulloa, a top-performing polo professional, was nearly bankrupt when his estancia (organization – stables) was abandoned by workers whilst playing a tournament in England. Other professional claims that the money spent over weekends to just travel with your own premium string of horses would cost you ten times more than the achievement of a tournament. Let us not forget, horses being a form of livestock, are susceptive to diseases, injury, and more. During tournaments horses are the main athletes, if they are not prepared to play, you would be sure to lose.

That isn’t the only perspective on polo. The economics of it all is a scheme of its own. Horses are sold much cheaper in comparison to other equine sports, but other equine sports have a return on investment. In Polo, you sink. You can’t suffice on one horse if you wish to be a serious contender, individuals have prepared upwards of 20 horses per player per match during elite tournaments. Again, the income of it all is close to none. Greater nations have resurrected the sport by providing sponsorship to outclass organizations, with Kerry Packer earning the most credit for this feat. But, if you’re a newcomer to the sport, be sure to have enough in the bank so that the burn may feel like a temporary fiscal rash.

But then the question is raised, why play this damned sport?

Because polo is played and dominated by those who have the blood of horsemen. It is played by generations to test the mettle of any powerful youth, and also a man in his later years. It is a moment of divinity, the closeness to life and nature itself on mount. it is the breath of Royalty, as cavalrymen were Lords when they began, and even now, the structure of an individual changes on horseback. This is a sport of many dying to lift any trophy at any level regardless of cost, for the sport demands the spirit and life of man. It is not for the faint-hearted, nor is it to be played by those who have to protect pennies.

The unfortunate reality of the sport is, the deeper the pocket, the greater the success. If you wish to know about hard labor, buying a polo professional for your string will remind you of its similarity. Polo professionals need patrons (sponsors) like life needs air. The spectrum of polo is ruined by this endeavor. With the increase of professionals in the sport, and fewer patrons, that means fewer jobs. The polo marketplace is covered with Argentinian lies and British quality, where the former claim to be the best across the board, but the fields of grandeur are set in Windsor.

It may sound similar to the cry of sour grapes, but it did ruin the beauty of the sport. Where once young powerful and energetic chaps came to compete and show their horsemanship. Now, it is a sign of wealth and social climbing. Those who come to play the sport, do so for the one element attached to it “sport of kings”. We all wish to remind ourselves that we too are now part of an elite strata. This ruined polo.

Polo is a game with no return on investment. Polo is a sport with no forever glory, rarely would you consider it a spectator sport. Polo is the toughest sport to learn, and the most dangerous sport to play. But polo is passion, and anyone with ambition or soul, will forever wish to one day consider himself, the great player of his time, if in any, than one sport, Polo.

• Editor