Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is major league team play in polo structured?

The U.S. Women’s Polo Federation/U.S. Men’s Polo Federation is the largest

professional American polo sports league, consisting of thirty-two (32) teams from

American cities and regions. The U.S. Women’s Polo Federation was formed in May

of 2000 and expanded to include a National Men’s Series Division in the 2005/2006

Season. The USWPF/USMPF is fast becoming one of the most impressive of major

professional sports leagues of North America with its incredible grass roots movement

into a 32-city major league team expansion after two pro seasons—a record in pro

sports history.

Q: How are the USWPF & USMPF divided into professional play?

Currently, the USWPF/USMPF League's 32 teams are divided into two conference leagues: the American Polo Conference (APC) and the National Polo Conference (NPC). During the regular season there are approximately 34 professional matches played over a 6 month period generally from Spring to Winter in the area club circuit, as well as almost 50 amateur matches, 7-10 international events, 6 Masters and 3 Grand Slams also in the local circuits, from which the pro players can accrue and earn points so that they can be drafted into the ranking system for the U.S. city teams. This year round local club circuit play culminates finally into their drafts into the USWPF/USMPF World Series of Polo. The World Series matches are hosted at a pre-selected site which is traditionally a host city with a designated city team in its area. The 2006/2007 World Series of Polo event will be hosted in December 2007 in Florida.

Later in the season, selected All-Star players from both the APC and NPC are picked to meet in the All-Star Pro Polo Bowl, the only of its kind, as both the men and women from both leagues are drawn into a handicap pool for team play. The 2006/2007 Championship team will go on to play internationally in the first ever USWPF/USMPF pro polo league match in the U.K. in the Summer of 2008. The USWPF/USMPF is unique in that it is the only professional sport on which the players are handicapped and evenly matched for play by that system whether male or female.

Q: How are the players rated for the handicap system in the game of polo?

Every registered player is awarded a skill rating from C (-2 the lowest) to 10 (the

highest). Due to this scoring system, games are played on a flat or the handicap. If a

game is played on the handicap basis, the sum total rating of the players is subtracted

from the opposition and the team is then awarded with the difference in goals at the

beginning of the game.

Q: How many horses does a player need for one game of polo?

Most players use several horses “ponies” in match play. Ponies can become very

exhausted from sprinting constantly during the chukker and the players may switch

horses after each chukker. However, sometimes ponies will be shared using split

strings, rotated between traveling teams, as in college polo. Each pony in that string

plays two chukkers with each team getting the pony for one chukker. Usually the same

player positions on the opposing teams will change mounts. This helps ensure an evenly talented pony on the playing field when away and helps eliminate any gained

advantage the home team would have using their own ponies. For example, one pony

may play for the home team in the first chukker and the opposing team in the third

chukker or play for the home team in the second chukker and for the traveling team

during the fourth chukker, etc. No pony plays two consecutive chukkers but may return

for an additional chukker after rest. The USWPF plays 4 chukker matches, the USMPF

plays 6 chukker matches.

Q: Which types of horses are best suited for polo?

The horses most commonly used in the game of polo are Thoroughbreds, Quarter

Horses, Arabians, and Morgans. The League prefers Quarter Horses for its match play.

Players usually prefer to use their own polo ponies in competition, but on occasion may

play others’ ponies for away matches. The USMPF teams are named after 16 different

horse breeds found in the U.S.

Q: How can our City become an Official Host City for the U.S. Women’s Polo

Federation’s Pro Polo Tournaments for the 2005/2006 Season?

You may have your local Economic Development or Tourism Department contact us at

sponsorship@worldseriesofpolo.com.




		Frequently Asked Questions Q: How is major league team play in polo structured? The U.S. Women’s Polo Federation/U.S. Men’s Polo Federation is the largest professional American polo sports league, consisting of thirty-two (32) teams from American cities and regions. The U.S. Women’s Polo Federation was formed in May of 2000 and expanded to include a National Men’s Series Division in the 2005/2006 Season. The USWPF/USMPF is fast becoming one of the most impressive of major professional sports leagues of North America with its incredible grass roots movement into a 32-city major league team expansion after two pro seasons—a record in pro sports history. Q: How are the USWPF & USMPF divided into professional play? Currently, the USWPF/USMPF League's 32 teams are divided into two conference leagues: the American Polo Conference (APC) and the National Polo Conference (NPC). During the regular season there are approximately 34 professional matches played over a 6 month period generally from Spring to Winter in the area club circuit, as well as almost 50 amateur matches, 7-10 international events, 6 Masters and 3 Grand Slams also in the local circuits, from which the pro players can accrue and earn points so that they can be drafted into the ranking system for the U.S. city teams. This year round local club circuit play culminates finally into their drafts into the USWPF/USMPF World Series of Polo. The World Series matches are hosted at a pre-selected site which is traditionally a host city with a designated city team in its area. The 2006/2007 World Series of Polo event will be hosted in December 2007 in Florida. Later in the season, selected All-Star players from both the APC and NPC are picked to meet in the All-Star Pro Polo Bowl, the only of its kind, as both the men and women from both leagues are drawn into a handicap pool for team play. The 2006/2007 Championship team will go on to play internationally in the first ever USWPF/USMPF pro polo league match in the U.K. in the Summer of 2008. The USWPF/USMPF is unique in that it is the only professional sport on which the players are handicapped and evenly matched for play by that system whether male or female. Q: How are the players rated for the handicap system in the game of polo? Every registered player is awarded a skill rating from C (-2 the lowest) to 10 (the highest). Due to this scoring system, games are played on a flat or the handicap. If a game is played on the handicap basis, the sum total rating of the players is subtracted from the opposition and the team is then awarded with the difference in goals at the beginning of the game. Q: How many horses does a player need for one game of polo? Most players use several horses “ponies” in match play. Ponies can become very exhausted from sprinting constantly during the chukker and the players may switch horses after each chukker. However, sometimes ponies will be shared using split strings, rotated between traveling teams, as in college polo. Each pony in that string plays two chukkers with each team getting the pony for one chukker. Usually the same player positions on the opposing teams will change mounts. This helps ensure an evenly talented pony on the playing field when away and helps eliminate any gained advantage the home team would have using their own ponies. For example, one pony may play for the home team in the first chukker and the opposing team in the third chukker or play for the home team in the second chukker and for the traveling team during the fourth chukker, etc. No pony plays two consecutive chukkers but may return for an additional chukker after rest. The USWPF plays 4 chukker matches, the USMPF plays 6 chukker matches. Q: Which types of horses are best suited for polo? The horses most commonly used in the game of polo are Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Arabians, and Morgans. The League prefers Quarter Horses for its match play. Players usually prefer to use their own polo ponies in competition, but on occasion may play others’ ponies for away matches. The USMPF teams are named after 16 different horse breeds found in the U.S. Q: How can our City become an Official Host City for the U.S. Women’s Polo Federation’s Pro Polo Tournaments for the 2005/2006 Season? You may have your local Economic Development or Tourism Department contact us at sponsorship@worldseriesofpolo.com.



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