Polo is a generally safe sport, but like many others, it is not risk-free. After all, any activity that involves climbing on a horse always comes with the risk of a fall. That is why beginners will take it gently before playing in full-on, fast-and-furious matches.
However, new rules adopted by the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) will make polo lessons in the UK safer still.
Responding to the ‘If in doubt, sit them out’ guidelines on concussion in grassroots sport issued by the government on April 28th, the HPA has agreed to incorporate the advice into its own regulations.
This means that in the event of an incident suspected of causing a concussion, the affected participant must be removed from the action and rest for 24 hours. NHS 111 must be called for advice and they should not return to action for 21 days.
In the case of polo, this is the sort of thing that could happen if someone had a fall and suffered a head knock, although having a helmet will reduce the chances of suffering a concussion. In this respect, participants will be better off than players of sports like football and rugby, and on a par with those playing cricket.
Polo is still a generally safe activity. The recent death of former Miss Universe contestant Sienna Weir after a fall at the Windsor Polo grounds was comparable to the untimely death of fellow Australian Phil Hughes, who died a decade ago after being hit on the neck by a cricket ball.
Both were exceptional events in sports where injuries are common but deaths extremely rare.
The biggest danger from head injuries is repeated concussions. Not only can they occasionally lead to fatalities, but they may also result in brain damage.
But by adopting the new regulations, the HPA is taking steps to ensure that those taking polo lessons have the best possible safety regime in place to protect them. If you fall off your horse, we’ll get you back on only when the time is right.