The Sport of Kings

July 6, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

The Sport of Kings, as polo is sometimes known, has been around for some 2,000 years.

Polo is thought to have originated in Persia, and originally was used to train for the rigors of war. The first game was played in England in 1869 and called “Hockey on Horseback.” Eight years later, in 1876, polo was brought to America.

Keeping the sport popular after the demise of the Mahoning Valley Polo Club that played its games at the Canfield Fairgrounds, the Darlington Polo Club in nearby Darlington, Pa., is now in its 69th-consecutive season.

Playing at 8 on Friday nights, and though not as popular in attendance as football in the fall, people enjoy watching the contact game and tailgate under the lights as members of the Darlington Polo Club play at their home field just off Pa. Route 168. At the corner of – what else? – Darlington Road and Polo Street.

Played from May through August, the next games will be Friday and July 24 and 31 – weather permitting.

For more information visit www.darlingtonpoloclub.com.