Elephant polo
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Elephant polo is a variant of polo played whilst riding elephants. It is played in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Rajasthan, and Thailand. Equipment consists of a standard polo ball and six to nine foot cane (similar to bamboo) sticks with a polo mallet head on the end. The pitch is three-quarters of the length of a standard polo pitch, due to the slower speed of the elephants. Two people ride each elephant; the elephants are steered by mahouts, while the player tells the mahout which way to go and hits the ball.
Although elephant polo was first played in India at the beginning of the twentieth century, the modern game originated in Meghauly, Nepal, reportedly after a drinking bout. Tiger Tops in Nepal remains the headquarters of elephant polo and the site of the World Elephant Polo Championships. As of December 2007, the world elephant polo champions were Chopard Hong Kong.
Elephant Polo in Nepal and Thailand is played under the auspices of the World Elephant Polo Association. WEPA enforces strict rules regarding elephant welfare and game play. As of December 2007, Chopard, Hong Kong is the reigning champion of the World Elephant Polo Association. Other tournaments, such as those played in India and Sri Lanka, are managed independently of each other and the World Elephant Polo Association.
WEPA Champions
2007
Chopard Hong Kong
2006 Angus Estates National
2005 Chivas Regal Scotland
2004 Chivas Regal Scotland
2003 Tiger Tops Tuskers
2002 Nepal National
Parks
2001 Chivas Regal Scotland
2000 Tiger Tops Tuskers
1999 Nepal
National Parks
1998 Tiger Tops Tuskers
1997 Tiger Mountain India
1996
Nepal National Parks
1995 International Distillers Phillipines
1994 Nepal
National Parks
1993 J & B Rare
1992 Tiger Tops Tuskers
1991 Nepal
National Parks
1990 Grindlays Maharajahs
1989 Oberoi India
1988 Nepal
National Parks
1987 Tiger Tops Tuskers
1986 Nepal National Parks
1985
Tiger Tops Tuskers
1984 Tiger Tops Tuskers
1983 Tiger Tops Tuskers
1982
James Manclark Scottish Team
Quaich Champions
2006 A Parks-Nepal
2005 Ireland Elephant Polo
2004
Aravali Polo
2003 British Gurkha Gladiators
2002 Tickle & The Ivories
2001 Mongolian Nomads
2000 Eldorado USA
1999 N Titanic Tracks
1998
Swissair Jumbos
Polo Polo the Place to go for Polo Worldwide
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