Rule 1. Facilities and Access During Play
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 1 · Preliminary Rules for the Game
In plain English
300 x 200 yards, or 160 wide with boards. Goals 8 yards apart.
- A full size ground is 300 by 200 yards, narrowing to 160 wide if it is boarded. The smallest permitted is 250 by 175, or 145 boarded.
- Goalposts stand 8 yards apart measured inside to inside, at least 10 feet high, and light enough to give way if a pony hits one. Boards, where used, are no more than 11 inches high and at least an inch thick.
- The safety zone is the prepared ground outside the lines, recommended at 10 yards along the sides and at least 30 behind each back line. Anything that happens in it is judged as though it happened on the field.
- The ball is 3 to 3.5 inches across and 4.25 to 4.75 ounces.
- While play is on, the field belongs to the players, umpires and goal judges. A stick holder may step into the safety zone but no further; ponies are changed in box areas at the corners, never in the safety zone between the two 30 yard lines.
The clause that governs
Any incident which occurs in the safety zone shall be treated as though it occurred on the field of play itself.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 1
15 questions on this rule
What are the measurements of a full-size field of play?
- Length: 300 yards, Width: 200 yards if unboarded and 160 yards if boarded ✓
- Length: 250 yards, Width: 200 yards if unboarded and 160 yards if boarded
- Length: 300 yards, Width: 175 yards if unboarded and 145 yards if boarded
- Length: 250 yards, Width: 175 yards if unboarded and 145 yards if boarded
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
What is the minimum length for a field of play?
- 200 yards
- 250 yards ✓
- 275 yards
- 300 yards
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
What is the minimum width for a field of play?
- Width 175 yards if unboarded and 145 yards if boarded ✓
- Width 200 yards if unboarded and 175 yards if boarded
- Width 150 yards if unboarded and 165 yards if boarded
- Width 140 yards if unboarded and 160 yards if boarded
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
How far is the safety zone recommended to extend beyond the sidelines/boards of the field of play?
- 5 yards
- 10 yards ✓
- 15 yards
- 20 yards
d. Boards. Boards, if used, shall not exceed 11 inches (28 cm) in height and shall be at least one inch thick. They may be curved at the ends of the field of play. e. Polo Ground.
What is the distance between the two goal posts?
- 7.3 meters (8 yards) ✓
- 8.2 meters (9 yards)
- 9.1 meters (10 yards)
- 10 meters (11 yards)
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
How tall must the goal posts be?
- At least 8 feet
- At least 9 feet
- At least 10 feet ✓
- At least 11 feet
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
What is the maximum height of the boards used on the field of play?
- 7 inches
- 9 inches
- 11 inches ✓
- 13 inches
d. Boards. Boards, if used, shall not exceed 11 inches (28 cm) in height and shall be at least one inch thick. They may be curved at the ends of the field of play. e. Polo Ground.
What is the minimum thickness of the boards?
- 0.5 inch
- 1 inch ✓
- 1.5 inches
- 2 inches
d. Boards. Boards, if used, shall not exceed 11 inches (28 cm) in height and shall be at least one inch thick. They may be curved at the ends of the field of play. e. Polo Ground.
What is the diameter range of the ball?
- 2 to 2.5 inches
- 3 to 3.5 inches ✓
- 4 to 4.5 inches
- 5 to 5.5 inches
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
What is the weight range of the ball?
- 4.25 to 4.75 ounces ✓
- 5 to 6 ounces
- 6.25 to 6.75 ounces
- 7 to 9 ounces
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
Who is allowed to enter the safety zone during play?
- Only players and umpires
- Players, umpires, and stick holders
- Players, umpires, and goal judges
- Players, umpires, goal judges, and stick holders ✓
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
Where can players change ponies during a match?
- Anywhere on the field
- In the centre of the field
- In allocated box areas at any of the four corners of the field or as designated by the club in agreement with the umpires ✓
- Only on the sidelines
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
Are players allowed to change ponies in the safety zones between the two 30-yard lines?
- Yes, always
- Yes, but only during a timeout
- No, they may not change in the safety zones between the two 30-yard lines ✓
- Yes, but only if permitted by the umpire
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
Can ponies be ridden between the pony lines and the changing boxes within the safety zone during play?
- Yes, but only at a high speed
- Yes, providing that they are ridden in a sensible manner and at a safe speed ✓
- No, they cannot be ridden in the safety zone during play
- Yes, but only if a player is changing ponies
(ii) Minimum Size. The minimum measurements for a field of play shall be: Length 250 yards (230 meters) Width 175 yards (160 meters) if unboarded and 145 yards (130 meters) if boarded.
What is the height restriction for ponies in polo?
- Maximum height 16 hands
- Minimum height 12 hands
- Ponies of any height may be played ✓
- Only ponies above 14 hands high are allowed
Polo Ground.
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Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.