PORSCHE, one of the world’s fastest machines has partnered with the Amateur Riders’ Club (ARC), one of the oldest and largest private civilian horses riding clubs in India, for the Porsche Southern Command Cup.

The match, which promises to be a thriller, will be held on Saturday, March 29th 2014, 4.30 pm onwards at the Royal Western Indian Turf Club, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai.

Maj. Gen. RR Nimbhorkar, AVSM, SM**, VSM, Chief of Staff, MG & G Area, will be the Chief Guest at the event. The entry to the event is “by invitation only”.

The Porsche Polo Southern Command Cup will be an exciting match with an exciting fashion show, chic trendy garments on display and a foot stomping performance by Crystal Pharrel to keep the spectators entertained at the Cocktail evening. Polo is the “Sport of Kings” that has gained significant momentum over the last few decades.

The teams playing for the match have already started playing qualifying matches and the winning team will move closer to the Porsche Southern Command Polo Cup.

The word ‘POLO’, is derived from the Tibetan word ‘PULU’ – meaning ball. It was by this name that the Tibetans played their version of this ancient sport, described by some as being the origins of the game itself. While Polo may have grown to maturity in the Americans, it was in India that the modern game was ‘discovered’ and nurtured. History records that the ancient Persians knew the sport as ‘Chaughan’ and played it as far back as 2500 years ago. The Chinese too lay claim to a Polo tradition dating back several thousand years.

The Amateur Riders Club, established in the year 1942 is one of the oldest and largest private civilian riding clubs in India. The Club has a Polo ground  and the Club’s  activities in respect of Polo are entirely due to the magnanimous efforts of Col. Maharaj Premsingh, the famous international polo player who introduced this game in the club as far back as 1950 . Since then, Polo Tournaments are played year after year  at the  Polo Grounds at Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai.

The modern game of polo, though formalized and popularized by the British, is derived from Manipur. A polo game has periods of play, known as chukkars (also chukkers). This term originated in 1898 and is derived from the Hindi word chakkar from Sanskrit chakra (wheel). Field polo requires two teams of four players each. Each chukker is played for a period of seven minutes with a 3 minute break between chukkars. The mounts used are called ‘polo ponies’ although the term pony is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. Polo must be played right-handed. Left-handed play was ruled out in 1975 for safety reasons.

Source  : Sachin Murdeshwar