Polo

It's odd to do something totally new in Delhi as you'd think after over 3 years I'd have tried most things. But this weekend Dana, Gertrude and I went to a polo match! Not just my first polo match in Delhi, that was my first polo match ever! Really we went to take pictures, so much of this blog is photos. The craziest thing is that there are matches almost every day and they're free! You just walk in to the stands. The stands aren't huge but they were full. There were VIPs down front (have no idea who they were, the announcer mentioned some army high up guy several times) and a VIP area with men in white chef hats serving food. I didn't try to get in but I assume that wasn't free. There were two bands - although only one played - with drums and bagpipes(?). About 10 members were in the band all decked with turbans and flags.


The game was actually fun to watch and pretty exciting. It was the Kingfisher team (big company here that produces beer and has an airline - so assume they're just sponsors) versus the Calvary (army) team. Having never seen polo (I don't think even on TV, I think my only experience is the bit in Pretty Woman - and we totally didn't do the divits thing) I have no idea if they were any good but clearly better than me! The game was close and could have been tied at the very end but alas, they missed the goal. The continual stopping of the play for some foul or another was a bit annoying but no major incidents. No one fell off. I think one guy got hurt and had brief medical attention and returned to the field and immediately scored. And one guy got kicked out for some time (like a penalty box thing, it seemed) and appeared very pleased with himself. Anyways, considering I can barely get a horse to go forward and stop, the idea of turning on a dime while people are using sticks to swipe at their legs (which do have cute little pads) is pretty unbelievable. Dana said he saw the horses as they left the field and they were all sweaty! Not surprising, they really sprint.

They had tons of horses (like 20 extra on each side) who seemed very well cared for if a little shy. Their handlers were shier. And there was a whole group of photographers there but they didn't seem to be shooting the game, their cameras were on the VIPs the whole time.

So then the game ended. Then these boys came prancing out. Yup, prancing. You'll notice that one guy forgot his matching shoes. And then the real fun began. These army showmen (I'm sure there's a better term, but I don't know it) came and performed stunts. Like picking up swords and flags. And pretending to run over the silly prancing boys. Very entertaining.

I'm surprised more people don't go - as it's free. Definitely a fun way to spend a sunny afternoon!