Rule 26 · USPA Rulebook 2026
Riding off is allowed on even terms; this rule lists the ways of riding that are dangerous, from a hard ride-off to zigzagging and riding into a stroke.
On even terms, a player may ride off an opponent or may interpose the player’s mount between an opponent and the ball, but he or she may not ride dangerously. Conduct that may qualify as dangerous riding is listed below. Consistent with the statement in subparagraph (a) below that “what is a dangerous ride-off is left to the discretion of the Umpire,” the Umpire(s) have the discretion to call a foul for conduct of the kind described in subparagraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) or (h) below but deem it not to be Dangerous Riding, thus not resulting in an automatic yellow card for Dangerous Riding, if it is in their judgment neither deliberate nor unduly dangerous:
USPA · USA · Rulebook 2026
No foul
No foul. On even terms a player may ride an opponent off. White 2 matches Blue 1's speed, comes in at a shallow angle and meets him level, shoulder to shoulder, without a jolt: a legal ride-off.
Rule 26 · 26a — United States Polo Association
Riding off in a manner dangerous to a player or mount; i.e., with undue force. What is considered a dangerous ride off is left to the discretion of the Umpire. Whenever a mount is knocked off balance, whether it falls or not, a dangerous ride off has occurred, and the mere fact that some of the dangerous factors listed below were absent does not mean that a foul should not be called. The following factors, among others, should be taken into consideration:
USPA · USA · Rulebook 2026
Foul
Foul on White 2: dangerous riding. Speed and the angle of approach make a ride-off dangerous, and a pony knocked off balance means a dangerous ride-off has happened. The foul goes against the aggressor, White 2.
Rule 26a · 26a(1) · 26a(4) — United States Polo Association
Relative speeds of the two mounts. It is very dangerous to ride off an opponent if you are not moving at approximately the same speed whether it be fast or slow.
Relative sizes of the two mounts.
Relative positions of the two mounts. It is dangerous if either mount is more than a foot or two ahead of or behind the other.
The angle at which the mounts converge. At high speeds, angles which might be safe at slower speeds become extremely dangerous.
States of fatigue of the mounts involved.
Lack of readiness of an opponent for the ride off (blind-siding).
A legal ride off is performed without displacing the opponent with a forceful blow or jolt. All factors should be taken into consideration when determining a dangerous riding violation, including defining the aggressor. The foul should be called against the aggressor, regardless of which mount is knocked off balance.
Blue # 3 hits a long shot down field to Blue # 2. As Blue # 2 races to hit the ball, Red # 3, coming to the line of the ball from Blue’s left, engages at a high speed and at an angle. As Red collides with Blue shoulder to shoulder, Blue’s mount is staggered from the force of contact. The combination of speed and angle created the danger. Foul Red, as he was the aggressor. Red and Blue meet shoulder to shoulder, at a steep angle and high speed. Both horses are staggered by the impact. The Umpire, if unable to determine the aggressor, should nevertheless stop play and throw the ball in.
Zigzagging in front of another player riding at a gallop.
USPA · USA · Rulebook 2026
Foul
Foul on White 2: dangerous riding. Zig-zagging in front of another player riding at a gallop is dangerous riding.
Rule 26b — United States Polo Association
Pulling or sliding across or over a mount’s fore or hind legs in such a manner as to risk tripping either mount.
USPA · USA · Rulebook 2026
Foul
Foul on White 2: dangerous riding. Pulling or sliding across a mount's fore or hind legs in a way that risks tripping either mount is dangerous riding.
Rule 26c — United States Polo Association
Riding an opponent across or into the Right of Way of another player at an unsafe distance.
Exhibiting a lack of consideration for the safety of one’s self, one’s mount, or for another player or mount.
Any careless or deliberate act which unnecessarily endangers an individual or mount, including the player and the player’s own mount, constitutes a violation of this rule.
Two players of the same team riding off an opponent at the same time whether or not on the Right of Way. However, it is not necessarily a foul for a player to hook or strike an opponent’s mallet while the opponent is being ridden off by a teammate of the player hooking or striking.
Riding at an opponent in such a manner as to intimidate and cause the opponent to pull out or miss the stroke although no entry or cross of the Right of Way actually occurs.
Deliberately riding one’s mount into the stroke of another player. For the purpose of this Rule, a “dribble”, in which the mallet head is not raised above the mount’s hock or knee, is not considered a “stroke”.
USPA · USA · Rulebook 2026
Foul
Foul on White 2: dangerous riding. Riding into another player's stroke is a foul. The stroke is the stick head moving towards the ball, not the wind-up: White 2 arrives on the downswing.
Rule 26h — United States Polo Association
A “stroke” is defined as the mallet head in motion toward the ball. A “dribble” where the mallet head is kept below the level of the mount’s hock or knee, is not considered a “stroke.” The wind-up is not part of the “stroke.”
Red #3, closely followed by Blue #2, turns the ball to the right. Blue checks, turns inside Red, and as Red dribbles around the turn, Blue executes a firm, but fair, shoulder-to-shoulder ride-off and comes up with the ball. No foul. Blue #3, with the ball in front, leans forward and dribbles the ball down field. Red #2 reaches under his mount’s neck to hook and puts the mount’s head in Blue’s lap. Foul Red for a dangerous ride off, but not for riding into the dribble. Blue #2 carries the ball down field. Red #3 rides from Blue’s right, at an angle, to successfully hook Blue’s mallet. As Red completes the hook, his horse travels over the ball, makes solid, shoulder to shoulder contact with Blue’s horse, rides Blue off, and permits Red to execute an offside tail shot. No foul. The hook was fair; and, once hooked, Blue was no longer swinging at the ball when Red’s horse crossed the line of the ball and executed the legal ride-off. Red #1 hits a short shot down field. As Red rides to strike again, Blue #4 comes for an offside ride off. Red, seeing Blue approach, cocks his arm for a strong fore-shot. Blue rides off Red and hits the back-shot. No foul--regardless of how exaggerated the backswing may be, Blue made contact before the mallet head was put in motion toward the ball. Red and Blue ride parallel, but not in contact toward the ball. Blue prepares for a neck shot and strikes Red’s mount on the downswing. Foul Blue--Red was safely positioned before the stroke began. Blue hits the ball down field. As Red closes to ride him off, Blue cocks his mallet and begins a downswing although well away from the ball. Foul on Blue. Although the mallet head was in motion, it was not directed toward the ball. Blue hit into Red’s horse.
ALTERNATIVE RULE 26.h – DANGEROUS RIDING (adapted from 2019 USPA International Rule 18.g) (At the election of the Host Tournament Committee, to be communicated to the teams before the Event begins, this Alternative Rule may be used instead of Rule 26.h in Events with an upper handicap limit of 8 goals and above, providing that all games in the event are officiated by two certified professional Umpires unless otherwise approved by USPA Umpires LLC.) h. Riding off a player from the same side on which he or she is hitting or preparing to hit the ball is allowed unless the player initiating the ride-off creates danger as described in Rule 26.a.