BS: What is wrong with polo?

Subject: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Uncle Boko
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:00 AM

I am curious as to what it is that folks who post on forums have against the game of polo. No harm in that question is there?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:10 AM

I didn't realise that folks who post on forums had anything against the game of polo. Perhaps they worry about the horses?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: John O'L
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:10 AM

Each period of play is called a chukka.

Isn't that enough?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:14 AM

Its because a polo has no substance - OK outside but nothing in the middle. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:17 AM

When I had a girl friend who owned a horse, I always kept a few Polos in my pocket, as the horse loved them.
Perhaps I should get that horse to post her thoughts on here.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:19 AM

I tried water polo but kept drowning the horses.

:D

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:37 AM

Do I hear Tommy Cooper revolving in his grave Dave?
G.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Uncle Boko
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 07:09 AM

But why do the working classes scorn polo when at the same time worship football. There is a great amount of skill involved in riding at up to 40 miles per hour on a horse and controlling the chukka (ball) more, I'd wager than spitting! And of course music journalists out there, they speak properly don't they, and the Argentine Polo Players speak better English than many of the working class oiks here don'y they - maybe that's the problem - inni'!!

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 07:33 AM

GUB: perhaps it's something to do with that, with capital costs and costs of feeding, stabling, insurance, transport, medical bills and so on, only the fairly wealthy can own a horse at all, after they've bought the house and couple of SUVs. And playing polo without a horse is said to be rather painful, even more so than rugby league in slippers. And if you can afford a horse, it's likely to be little Diana who's riding it, and the biggest risk the insurance you can afford will allow is a little prancing over stripy broomsticks.

So perhaps the fact that you and your mates can play football with a minimum investment of four coats and a ball makes polo seem a little remote to those who would probably be told to get lorst even if they went along to watch. And the observation that the occupants of shiny 15 foot high 4x4s often pay less income tax than a phone centre slave might make their attitude a little less than warmly inclusive.

A little over 200 years ago, when the well- off of a nearby foreign land made tax- dodging and showing off an artform, some objectors eventually rewarded them with free cephalotomies. The way things are going, this history could repeat itself, the first time as tragedy, the second time on the Discovery Channel.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Uncle Boko
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:00 AM

Yes but why the all the inverted snobbery about polo? - you only have to walk around the 20,000 crowds at Cowdray park and Guards to see many people from all walks of life having a damn good day out, without even a speck of trouble. Where are the music journalists today?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 09:08 AM

Uncle boko is an arse, he only posts here because he's been banned by the BBC.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 09:10 AM

I don't care for their clothes. Rather buy my stuff from Land's End.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Uncle Boko
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:13 AM

"Uncle boko is an arse, he only posts here because he's been banned by the BBC".

And Folk Roots and TripAdvisor, all run by control freaks.

Eric the red - I appreciate your appreciation!!! See you at Guards on Sunday.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:17 AM

I'm puzzled, I confess. Either Uncle Boko is a rambling simpleton or he's an unsubtle troll. Either way, I'm not sure of the relevance of his post. Typical of the riff-raff that wash up here after muddying other waters, I suppose...

As for polo, assuming Boko has the slightest interest in anyone's views or experiences (which I doubt), having stamped the divots down a couple of times myself I can see the attraction of the game for the players, but it's not a terrific spectator sport. And not one for southpaws - it's against the rules to play left-handed (perhaps understandably, given the risks). Other than disgruntled left-handers, however, I wasn't aware of any prejudice.
And the ball is called a ball, not a chukka, Boko.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Stu
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:30 AM

If we assume the demographic trend of Mudcat members broadly reflects that of the general population, then the reason many people might not be fond of Polo is because it's a game for toffs.

Now, I'm sure they all have a fine day out, enjoy Pimms and canapes on the bonnet of their 4x4 at half-time and quite rightly too, but most people don't have the money or mix in the same social circles as Polo people. It's just a bit of old-fashioned class prejudice - plenty of that on both sides of the great (financial) divide.

I've never seen a game of polo, but I'd rather watch the Villa any day of the week (although it's probably cheaper to get in to see a polo game than a premiership match - but then you're not likely to get a decent cup of Bov at half-time).

Bostin!

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:36 AM

thank god for jonas salk.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:48 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polo

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:52 AM

although it's probably cheaper to get in to see a polo game than a premiership match

Damn sight. £10 for two plus car parking, £20 odd pounds for special events. Still, the last I payed for a spectator sport was about £2.50 at Salford RL about 25 years ago.

I can't see why the local youths shouldn't take up motorbike polo though, they ride all over the place anyway and insurance shouldn't be a barrier, since none of them have registrations let alone licences. Maybe do it Afghan style with a dead goat, or pensioner.

No, it's the Politics of Envy, which is so much worse than the Politics of The Other Six Deadly Sins.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:28 AM

There nothing wrong with Polo that a few good Texas rodeo riders couldn't improve upon. Polo as it's played now is just plain boring. Now if you were to play the game on wild mustangs instead of tame horses things would get interesting. Or if you insist on using the namby-pamby horses you use now the game could be spiced up by adding a wild bull to the field. With rodeo clowns. Maybe two or three longhorn cattle too. Or a greased pig. Now you've got a game that Americans would be willing to watch.

I'11 bet the sales of Coors Light would be astronomical.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Uncle Boko
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:56 AM

Namby pamby horses - oh yeah, try telling that to Luke & Mark Tomlinson and some of the Argentine 10 goal players!!

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 12:05 PM

OK - Maybe I should just call them "pretty".

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: mandotim
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 12:16 PM

Isn't polo the cissy, Westernised version of Buzkashi, the Afghan game played with a dead goat as a ball and no rules about not killing each other or other niceties like that? I'd make Buzkashi compulsory sport at all Public Schools, and for anyone earning over a given level. Increase Death Duties to 100% for the very rich, and bingo; instant wealth redistribution. Mind you, I was upset when they banned foxhunting; used to kill a dozen of the b+£$%@£ds a year.

I am currently licking the inside of my buccinator, by the way.
Tim :)

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 01:01 PM

Play it with severed heads, the way it oughta be.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 01:11 PM

The more I think about the greased pig the more I like it. The players could dive off of their pretty horses and catch the pig for extra points. It would leave the the team short a man for awhile but the extra points might be worth it. The player with the most extra points per game {lets call them "piggy points"} would win a big bag of pork rinds.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 01:16 PM

Grease the horses and tack, too.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 01:35 PM

Great idea. It's getting more interesting all the time.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 02:07 PM

There's nothing wrong with polo, but if participation were a prerequisite for developing an appreciation for a sport, polo would be appreciated by less than one per-cent of the population. Face it, there are only two ways to get to play polo: one can have enough money to finance playing the game oneself, or one can play for a benefactor or government subsidized team that's willing to put up the money.

There are other "elitist" sports, but one can learn them in decidedly non-elitist fashions. One can learn golf while working as a cart-boy, tennis by playing on public courts, and sailing on any variety of relatively inexpensive boats. But the only way to learn polo is to sit on a polo pony, and that seat doesn't come cheaply.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Metchosin
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 02:17 PM

Aw, the Americans are just pissed 'cause Canada cleaned their clocks and took the North American division this year.

However, if you are interested in a really expensive sport, try getting heavily into NASCAR. Come to think of it, aside from transportation, polo is pretty Green. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 02:35 PM

boring game played by boring toffs and watched by boring toffs,absolute rubbish

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 03:44 PM

NASCAR: Expensive billboards burning petroleum by driving around in circles at a high rate of speed.

NASCAR fan: Someone drinking beer while waiting for a car wreck.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Ms Penelope Rutledge
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:16 PM

There is nothing wrong with polo, you silly man! It's a noble and splendid game, appreciated by anyone with a modicum of good taste.

I know exactly what you're up to. You're just trying to stir up trouble between the commoners and the upper classes. You're an instigator. Go back to your darts and your soccer hooliganism. I'm sure your "mates" (such as "ibo" above) are missing you terribly...

* PR

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:20 PM

It stinks, that's what is wrong with it. Don't all those teenage boys who slather it on themselves in the morning before going out to highschool have the sense of smell they were born with anymore?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:27 PM

On second thought, the fact that one must have money or connections to play polo is not the fault of the sport or its players at all, but due to the attitudes of typical horse owners toward the sport. There are plenty of people of moderate means who own horses, and there's absolutely nothing to stop them from playing polo just for the hell of it. All they'd need would be an empty pasture and a few pieces of equipment. No, the horses wouldn't necessarily be polo ponies, but the stock cars a few of my neighbors race at the local dirt track on Saturday nights aren't NASCAR machines either.

So why don't horse owners play polo for fun? Because of reverse snobbery. The horse owners themselves have let the wealthy co-opt what should be a popular horse sport. Middle-class horse owners don't play polo simply because of its upper-class associations.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Ms Penelope Rutledge
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:34 PM

Brilliantly put, Bee-dubya-ell. You have hit the nail on the head.

* PR

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 05:39 PM

Well, I'm going to try to start a polo club out here in Pocatello, Idaho. We got lots of horseflesh and riders; heck, some folks been ridin' since they was babies. Gonna use stock ponies and western saddles, of course. Do you think that mallet will git tangled in the lariat?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 05:43 PM

Use a baseball, a ball-pein hammer and ATVs.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Ms Penelope Rutledge
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 05:44 PM

I should think that with the wide open spaces out there in Idaho, Rapaire, you should have a perfect setting for some ripping games of polo.

* PR

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:58 PM

I've always enjoyed watching polo, but, like most spectator sports, it's best watched live. (Plus I haven't watched television since 1983.)

Used to watch the Milwaukee Polo Club -- very informal spectator seating. Bring your own lawnchairs, wine, lunch, etc.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 09:38 PM

One of the beauties of polo is that there is a real chance that some upper class twit might get whacked severely and become injured to the point of becoming unable to reproduce.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 09:55 PM

We're getting up a polo club out here. Nobody's quite sure of the rules so we're gonna start with croquet mallets and golf balls and play it on the soccer fields and use the soccer goals. Is there a goalie in polo, or should we just wing it?

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:47 PM

No, wait, wait! I've got it! A cross between polo and jousting! Percherons instead of polo ponies, full body armor, a lance in the left hand and a polo mallet in the other, maces and battle-axes at the ready in waist belts for hand-to-hand if unhorsed!

No, wait, wait again! Even better! A cross between polo and skeet! Each player has a mallet and a 12 gauge shotgun. If a team is on defense they can just blast hell out of the ball. Shooting a grounded ball merely results in a change of possession, but shooting a rolling or flying ball scores one point.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:26 PM

Instead of shooting the ball, shoot at the person attempting to advance the ball to the goal. Remember that the point is to destroy twits.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Ms Penelope Rutledge
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:28 PM

You're a real innovator, aren't you, Bee-dubya-ell? I think the medieval approach would make for splendid pageantry. I'm going to suggest it to the Twillingsgate polo club and see what they say. The 12 gauge shotgun variant sounds very North American, though. It wouldn't do in Shropshire or Kent. I imagine that's just how they would like to do it in Kentucky, from what I've heard.

Ebarnacle, you might be surprised to know that some of the upper class "twits" you refer to are seemingly unable to reproduce even without the severe polo whackings you suggest. I'm not sure if it's a problem of genetic nature or if it stems from acquired attitudes...but never fear, the present enormous advantage in numbers that your class holds over those in the upper echelons is in no danger of being diminished, particularly given the fact that most of you breed like stray cats.

* PR

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: John O'L
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:39 PM

"The Geebung Polo Club" by Banjo Paterson.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Ms Penelope Rutledge
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:51 PM

Absolutely classic, John! Bravo!

* PR

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,Uncle Boko
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 04:39 AM

I've a much better idea, shoot at the working class oiks playing foo'baw, as they call it. Then force them all to take speech therapy.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Wesley S
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 09:15 AM

Bring your lunch. There are a lot more football players than there are polo players and fans put together. And you can include the namby-pamby horses too.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 09:29 AM

Well, the Pocatello Pony, Polo and Potation Club had their first match last night and introduced a technique that will revolutionize polo. Bootheel McClyde got so caught up in the match that he roped the ball! Yes, the PPPP has introduced the use of the lariat to polo! There are two new positions, header and heeler, and they're experimenting with ball wrestlin', except they can't figure out what to tie up with a piggin' string.

The Club members are also considering changing the name of the sport to "Rodepolo" (pronounced "ro-DEP-olo") and possibly combining the game with bull riding and bronc bustin' and barrel racing.

They hope the Limeys English don't mind.

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 10:44 AM

it would be better fun if you had to use the horses dicks to hit the ball with

Subject: RE: BS: What is wrong with polo?
From: Wesley S
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 10:54 AM

Rapaire - Instead of roapin the ball have you considered catching it with a big bass fishing net?