Rule 31. Riding Off
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 31 · Precedence and Personal Fouls
In plain English
Ride off shoulder to shoulder, same speed, safe angle.
- A ride off is legal when the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder, and come together at a safe angle. Contact between ponies that is not a legitimate ride off is not allowed at all.
- The elbow stays close to the side. Pushing with the head, hand, arm or elbow is a foul on top of whatever else happened.
The clause that governs
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 31
7 questions on this rule
When riding off an opponent in polo, what conditions must be met regarding the speed and positioning of the ponies?
- The ponies must be travelling at different speeds and come together at a sharp angle
- The ponies must be travelling at the same speed and come together shoulder to shoulder at a safe angle ✓
- The ponies must be side by side but can be travelling at different speeds
- The ponies must be in a single file line
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
What must be the position of a player's elbow when riding off an opponent?
- He elbow can be in any position
- The elbow must be extended outward
- The elbow must be raised above the head
- The elbow must be kept close to the side ✓
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
What is NOT allowed when a player is riding off an opponent?
- Pushing with the head
- Pushing with the hand
- Pushing with the arm
- All of the above ✓
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
Which three conditions must a legal ride off satisfy?
- Same speed, shoulder to shoulder, and a safe angle ✓
- Same speed, same direction, and prior warning
- Shoulder to shoulder, on the offside only, and below a canter
- A safe angle, possession of the ball, and the umpire in view
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
Where must a player keep their elbow when riding off?
- Raised, to protect the ribs
- Close to the side ✓
- Extended, to keep distance
- Across the body
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
A player rides off an opponent and pushes with the forearm. Is that permitted?
- Yes, provided the ponies stay shoulder to shoulder
- No, a player may not push with the head, hand, arm or elbow ✓
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
Two ponies make contact in a manner that is not a legitimate ride off. What does the rule say?
- It is allowed if neither pony is hurt
- It is allowed at walking pace
- It is not allowed ✓
- It is allowed if the ball is within one horse length
A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle.
Test yourself
Practise riding off and the rest of the HPA rules, offline, on your phone.
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.