Rule 31 · HPA Blue Book 2026

Riding off

A ride-off is legal only at the same speed, shoulder to shoulder and at a safe angle, with the elbow kept in.

1. 31

   RIDING OFF. 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. Any contact between ponies that is not a legitimate ride off is not allowed. When riding off, the elbow must be kept close to the side and a player may not push with the head, hand, arm, or elbow another player.

   • Line of the ball
   • Right of way
   • Ball

   What happens

   1. 0.3 s Blue 1 hits the ball.
   2. 2.8 s White 2 rides Blue 1 off, shoulder to shoulder.
   3. 4.8 s White 2 hits the ball.

   HPA · UK · Blue Book 2026

   No foul

   No foul. A player may ride an opponent off when the ponies travel at the same speed, meet shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle. White 2 does all three, elbow in, and moves Blue 1 off the line.

   Rule 31 — Hurlingham Polo Association