Polo

Polo is a complicated game played on horseback using a very long stick to hit a ball on the ground, ultimately towards the goal. In between hits, the ball stays on the ground and can be collected by opposing teams.

Polo is described as "the sport of kings", as traditionally only members of royal families played it.

It is a sport which, at the Olympics, has regularly featured members of royal families, including members of the current British Royal Family, representing their country. Prince Charles, who is next in line for the British throne, represented Great Britain at the Olympics in Polo.

It has its origins as a war training exercise for members of calvary units from as early as 100 AD or possibly earlier and may have been Persian in origin. Its aim was to get calvary units used to reaching down to attack ground units.

Polo has always been an elitist sport, played primary by royalty, regality and the elite, and is played around the world by the wealthy upper class. It is a truly international sport in that it is played to a relatively equal amount in a wide variety of countries, although outside of the upper class it is virtually unheard of the world over.