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Thursday 29 September 2011

Polo - Sepia Saturday

Alan's picture this week reminded me that the nearest I have got to polo is the mint with the hole in the middle. The first horse on which I was offered a ride threw me off when it's owner, a girl who I don't think liked me, gave it a swipe with her whip.
Pictogram of Olympic Sports - Polo
 (by Thadius 856 - SVG conversion, & Parutakupiu  original image)


Staying with polo and the Olympics this image shows a tournament in progress at the 1900 games in Paris. Only four teams took part - Great Britain, United States, France and Mexico - the gold medal being shared by Great Britain and the United States.
Polo tournament at the 1900 Olympic Games
The game was first played in Persia (Iran) from the 5th century BC, or much earlier, to the 1st century AD and originated there. The modern game though popularised by the British military derived in fact from India.

In India polo was just one form of hockey that was played in the originating state of Manipur. Ladies hockey is known for it skill; mixed hockey for its brutality as ridges on my shins can testify. If you should come across  a St Trinian's type like this - run!
Jolly hockey sticks!
 Thanks to India, the second largest country after China to have a stock of bamboo I'm able to switch to a childhood friend of my daughter. You may have seen him before.
Bamboo at home.
 However to come back to horses, another riderless one, here's one I found at Yarm earlier this week.
 You may catch him if you can and ride to to see what others have found to show at Sepia Saturday 94

19 comments:

21 Wits said...

I do like your take on Polo! Great touch of the theme...and your lady sporting such old time nylon stockings...oh it makes me happy we have panty-hose instead!!!! your other photos are stunning too, I love the get up and go look of the horse on a post! So cool!

Little Nell said...

I feel so sorry for that lonely rocking horse at Yarm. Did he have no companions? Thank you for the educational ride through the history of polo. You learn something new everyday here!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Bob ... what a lovely variety of photos you have given us this week ... that polo outfit is to die for, lol.

Thanks so much for stopping by to say hi.

Kathy M.

Rosalind Adam said...

That one at Yarm is my kind of horse, the ones that don't move on their own. The real variety terrify me.

Christine H. said...

The minute I saw that young lady with the short skirt I immediately thought of St. Trinian's! Run indeed.

Unknown said...

Hey great to read about the beginning of polo. Being American and not much exposure to polo I never did know or seek out much about polo. I think all sports are great because of the way it brings folks together. Great post.
QMM

Brett Payne said...

A fine collection of polo images and accessories, Bob.

I made a comment over at Postcardy's blog about Orwell's essay on "The Art of Donald McGill." If you're interested and don't have access to it, I'd be happy to scan it for you.

Regards, Brett

Alan Burnett said...

As usual you take us on a complete trip around the houses and as usual it is a thoroughly enjoyable trip. Great images and great connections.

Rosie said...

I can't imagine playing polo in nylons tied up with garters!! I just imagine the "runs" after a match. The only good thing, you could always substitute one nylon without disturbing the other one. Not like today, when you have to discard the whole pantyhose.

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I think you've used every possible thread of the theme here! The nearest I ever got to polo was the mint, too. My father's favourites.

Liz Stratton said...

I love the sassy young miss! She looks like she if having a great time.

Mike Brubaker said...

Marco!

Bob Scotney said...

@ Brett, thanks for the Orwell reference and your offer. I have a copy of his Essay on McGill and access to all his essays as a result.

Unknown said...

Polo is hardly known in The Netherlands. Ladies hockey is very popular though!

Marilyn & Jeff said...

A great series of photos, great fun. Love Bamboo!

PattyF said...

Excellent post! I really enjoyed your take on the polo theme.

Bruno Laliberté said...

i did ride a few times when i was young[er], and i can't imagine what it'd be like to be thrown off... glad you suffered nothing major!! love "Bamboo"!!
:D~
HUGZ

Bruno Laliberté said...

@ MIKE BRUBAKER:

POLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tattered and Lost said...

Well I have nothing but bad memories of hockey in high school. Wet feet at 8 am every morning because they watered the field even if it was raining. On the other hand I do remember a polo match in Hawaii. They all seemed to be very well-to-to folks and I kept wondering why the horses weren't stopping to say "This is stupid! I'm going to get hit."

The graphic for the Olympics is quite interesting. Would be interesting to find how the graphic changed over the years.