Dating from 15th century
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Foioeome
By EDITH WOOTEN
Several horseback riders thunder down
the field in a mad but elegant chase after a
ball no larger than a Softball. They raise and
swing mallets, sometimes missing and some
times keeping the bail in play.
The riders and the horses are all athletes,
each gracefully coordinated yet powerful,
quick and forever reacting to the ball, their
opponents, their teammates and each other.
The game is polo and it has been enjoyed
by horse, rider and spectator since the 15th
century in Persia. But this summer Bill Doug
las brought the sport to North Carolina.
Douglas, a North Carolina native, started
. teaching lessons at Quail Hollow Farms out
side Durham in an effort to generate interest
. in polo in this state.
Douglas said that he saw the Triangle area
as a potentially good market for polo be
cause of the people's interest in new things
and its recent growth and development
By purchasing over twenty polo ponies,
teaching lessons and publicizing the weekly
games, Douglas said he hopes to start a base
f or polo in the area.
The object of the game is to make as
many goals as possible without injuring one
self, one's mount or other players or their
horses. To prevent accidents, there are many
rules that apply to the direction of the ball in
relation to the horse and rider.
Because the game is played more for love
of polo than competition, teams are often
interespersed so they are evenly matched as
possible. The clubs traveling from Florida,
South Carolina and other Southeastern
states, come to Durham to reciprocate the
traveling that Douglas and the NCPC has
done to play with them.
Each team consists of four horses and
riders, some playing offense and others de
fense. AH perform certain functions and
cover certain players or areas.
But because of the game's speed, each
player may change his position as the game
progresses, so there is constant movement
Horses and players must be alert, flexible
and, above all, fast
Suddenly one pony breaks away and the
rider takes the ball down field controlling the
ball with long graceful smacks of the mallet
Another player challenges him as he tries to
"bump" him out of position for a goal. But
the f irst rider persists.
Now keeping the ball in control with short
even strokes he slows the pace down as he
tries to maneuver his horse into a better posi
tion. He is finally driven to the corner of the
f ield, exactly even with the goal but 75 yards
to the right of it
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. . .he readys for another exciting game of Polo
DTHAI Stee(
Two weeks of Total Madness ...
HEE2I3 Cl. POTATO!
Is Chapel Hill really ready for us to be In town for both
Homecoming and Halloween?!? Well have to drag out our
blue corsages.. .After all, Tve always wanted to be a
Homecoming QueenT
Gary Herb & Johnny Potato
a whole new show!!! '
Prepare for the blitz.
Wednesday thro Stsndsy,
Oct. 20-31
reservations 929-0217
Chapel inn
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The rider is pretty much left alone as he
tries to gain a more strategic position. Every
one else is seeking the most advantageous
spot to defend or make a goal.
After shuffling the ball around, the lone
player hits a long drive which goes through
the goat posts at a seemingly impossible
angle.
The announcer calls out the name of the
scoring player and there is a round of ap
plause from the audience.
See POLO on page 7
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Polo player strikes b
. . . game played for love of the sport
1
GREEK RESTAURANT
We are happy to announce that we are now
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Daily Specials Starting at $2.45.
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Belly Dancing Tuesday-Thursday nights.
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C&pd IO 042-51&4
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WedcencC October 21, 1932