Federation of International Polo facts for kids
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|
Abbreviation | FIP |
---|---|
Formation | 1982 |
Type | Sports federation |
Headquarters | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
Membership
|
82 (March 2022) |
Website | fippolo.com |
The Federation of International Polo (FIP) is the main organization for the sport of polo around the world. It is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. FIP was started in 1982 by groups from eleven different countries that play polo. Today, it represents polo associations from over 80 countries. Its main goal is to make polo more popular and respected internationally.
Besides organizing big international games, FIP also creates tournaments for children. They teach people how to be good umpires and coaches. FIP encourages people of all ages to play polo. They also help set the international rules for polo. They do this with the help of other important polo groups. These groups include the Asociación Argentina de Polo, the Hurlingham Polo Association in Great Britain and Ireland, and the United States Polo Association.
History of FIP
In 1978, a man named Marcos Uranga organized the first international polo tournament for clubs. It happened in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Polo clubs from all over South America took part. This event was a big success. It made Uranga think about having competitions between different countries.
In the early 1980s, Uranga wanted to make international polo even bigger. He also hoped to get polo back into the Olympic Games. Uranga, who later became the president of the Argentine Polo Association, suggested creating an international group for polo-playing countries. He asked his friend, former US ambassador Glen Holden, for help.
Their first meeting was in Buenos Aires. By April 1982, a new federation was formed. It included polo groups from twelve countries. Argentina was chosen as the headquarters. This was because Argentina had a lot of experience organizing tournaments. It was also a great place to play polo, with many horses. Many foreign players visited the annual Argentine Open. Uranga became FIP's first president. He held this job for 15 years.
Uranga and Holden officially created the federation on November 25, 1982. This happened in Buenos Aires. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Zimbabwe were there. Their main goal was to improve polo's image and standing worldwide. In December of that year, the Argentine Polo Association invited these twelve countries to a meeting. They wanted to create an international group that would:
- Promote international competitions.
- Get recognition from the International Olympic Committee.
- Make the rules of polo the same everywhere.
- Help polo grow around the world.
- Support the breeding of polo ponies.
When FIP was founded, Uranga said he wanted to bring polo players together. He believed this would make the sport better. In October 1992, FIP became a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). This happened at their meeting in Monaco.
FIP is a non-profit organization. It is registered in Uruguay. Its full name in Spanish is Federación Internacional de Polo, which is why it's called FIP. Uranga stopped being FIP president in 1997. However, he stayed involved in the federation. Glen Holden became the second president.
FIP Presidents
Name | Country | Term |
---|---|---|
Marcos Uranga | ![]() |
1982-1998 |
Glen Holden Sr. | ![]() |
1997-2006 |
Patrick Guerrand-Hermès | ![]() |
2006-2009 |
James Ashton | ![]() |
2009-2010 |
Eduardo Huergo | ![]() |
2010-2012 |
Dr. Richard T. Caleel | ![]() |
2012-2014 |
Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers | ![]() |
2014–2018 |
Horacio Areco | ![]() |
2018–2021 |
FIP Membership
FIP has different types of members and organizes them into zones.
Types of Membership
- Full Members — 48 countries
- Category A — Countries where polo is very developed — 4 countries
- Category B — Countries with more than 100 registered players (but not Category A) — 14 countries
- Category C — Countries with up to 100 registered players (but not Category B) — 30 countries
- Corresponding Members — 22 countries
- Contact Members — 12 countries
Membership Zones
- Zone A — North and Central America — 11 countries
- Zone B — South America — 10 countries
- Zone C — Europe — 28 countries
- Zone D — East Asia and Oceania — 12 countries
- Zone E — Africa and West Asia — 21 countries
Country | Type | Zone |
---|---|---|
Argentina | Full – A | B |
Australia | Full – B | D |
Austria | Full – A | B |
Azerbaijan | Corresponding | C |
Bahamas | Corresponding | A |
Barbados | Corresponding | A |
Belgium | Full – C | C |
Bolivia | Contact | B |
Brazil | Full – B | B |
Brunei | Corresponding | D |
Canada | Full – B | A |
Chile | Full – B | B |
China | Full – C | D |
Colombia | Corresponding | B |
Costa Rica | Full – C | A |
Czech Republic | Corresponding | C |
Dominican Republic | Corresponding | A |
Ecuador | Corresponding | B |
Egypt | Full – C | E |
El Salvador | Contact | A |
England | Full – A | C |
Finland | Corresponding | C |
France | Full – B | C |
Germany | Full – B | C |
Guatemala | Full Member – C | Zone A |
Hong Kong | Contact Member | Zone D |
Hungary | Contact Member | Zone C |
India | Full – B | E |
Indonesia | Full – C | D |
Iran | Full – B | E |
Ireland | Full – C | C |
Italy | Full – B | C |
Jamaica | Corresponding | A |
Japan | Full – C | D |
Jordan | Corresponding | E |
Kazakhstan | Full – C | C |
Kenya | Corresponding | E |
Korea | Corresponding | D |
Kuwait | Full – C | E |
Lebanon | Corresponding | E |
Liechtenstein | Contact | C |
Luxembourg | Contact | C |
Malaysia | Full – B | D |
Malta | Corresponding | C |
Mexico | Full – B | A |
Monaco | Full – C | C |
Mongolia | Full – C | D |
Morocco | Full – C | E |
Netherlands | Full – C | C |
New Zealand | Contact | E |
Nicaragua | Corresponding | A |
Nigeria | Full – B | E |
Norway | Contact | C |
Oman | Full – C | E |
Pakistan | Full – C | E |
Paraguay | Full – C | B |
Peru | Full – C | B |
Philippines | Full – C | D |
Poland | Contact | C |
Portugal | Full – C | C |
Qatar | Corresponding | E |
Romania | Contact | C |
Russia | Full – C | C |
San Marino | Corresponding | C |
Saudi Arabia | Full – C | E |
Singapore | Full – C | D |
Slovakia | Full – C | C |
South Africa | Corresponding | E |
Spain | Full – B | C |
Sweden | Full – C | C |
Switzerland | Full – B | C |
Thailand | Full – C | D |
Tunisia | Corresponding | E |
Turkey | Corresponding | C |
Uganda | Contact | E |
Ukraine | Full – C | C |
United Arab Emirates | Full – C | E |
Uruguay | Full – C | B |
United States | Full – A | A |
Uzbekistan | Full – C | E |
Zambia | Contact | E |
Zimbabwe | Corresponding | E |
FIP Events and Tournaments
FIP organizes many exciting polo events around the world.
- World Polo Championship (for men)
- Polo at the Summer Olympics (polo has been part of the Olympics in the past)
- Polo at the Pan American Games
- Polo at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games
- Polo at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games
- Polo at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games
- FIP Snow Polo World Cup Invitational
- FIP European Polo Championships
- FIP Ladies European Polo Championship
- FIP Super Nations Cup
- FIP Ambassador's Cup
- FIP Children's Championships
World Polo Championships
European Polo Championships for Men
The European Championship is a tournament for FIP member countries in Europe. It started in 1993. This championship allows European players to represent their country in a FIP event. It's a very important tournament, second only to the World Polo Championships.
Year | Teams | Host | Gold medal match | Winner |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 |
France |
St. Moritz, Switzerland | England vs. Italy | England |
1995 |
Germany |
Antwerp, Belgium | England vs. Germany | England |
1997 |
England |
Milan, Italy | England vs. Italy | England |
1999 |
England |
Chantilly, France | England vs. Ireland | England |
2002 |
Belgium |
Rome, Italy | France vs. Netherlands | France |
2005 |
Italy |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Italy vs. England | Italy |
2008 |
Belgium |
Hamburg, Germany | England vs. Belgium | England |
2010 |
France |
Vienna, Austria | France vs. Spain | France |
2012 |
Spain |
Sotogrande, Spain | Spain vs. Austria | Spain |
2014 |
England |
Chantilly, France | England vs. Ireland | England |
2016 |
Ireland |
Berlin, Germany | Ireland vs. France | Ireland |
2018 |
Ireland |
Villa a Sesta, Italy | Azerbaijan vs. Italy | Italy |
2021 |
Spain |
Sotogrande, Spain | Austria vs. Italy | Italy |
In 2023, Spain won, Azerbaijan was second, and Germany was third.
Men's European Championship Medals (1993–2023)
Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
5 | ![]() |
1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
6 | ![]() |
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
![]() |
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
8 | ![]() |
0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
9 | ![]() |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
10 | ![]() |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
11 | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
12 | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Totals (12 entries) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
European Polo Championships for Women
- 2017 – Chantilly, France (4 teams)
- Winner: Italy
- Runner-up: France
- Third place: Germany
- 2018 – Villa a Sesta, Italy (4 teams)
- Winner: Germany
- Runner-up: Italy
- Third place: Netherlands
- 2021 - La Mimosa Polo Club, Italy (4 teams)
- Winner: Italy
- Runner-up: England
- Third place: Ireland
Women's European Championship Medals (2017–2023)
Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
3 | ![]() |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
4 | ![]() |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
5 | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Totals (6 entries) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
Other FIP Tournaments
Children's Polo
Every year, FIP and polo groups in different countries organize events for children under 14. Young players often arrive a week before the tournament. They stay with families of local players. This helps them get to know each other and the local culture.
FIP Snow Polo World Cup Invitational
Snow polo is a special type of polo played on a frozen lake or snowy field. It first started officially in 1985 on Lake St. Moritz in Switzerland. It has become very popular. Snow polo is now played in many countries, including Italy, Austria, France, the United States, Argentina, Russia, Spain, and China.
Snow polo is growing fast in China. The first Snow Polo World Cup Invitational was held there in 2012. It took place at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. This club is the biggest polo facility in China. The tournament follows FIP's special rules for snow polo.
- 2012 – Tianjin, China (12 teams)
- Winner: Hong Kong
- Runner-up: South Africa
- 2013 – Tianjin, China (12 teams)
- Winner: Hong Kong
- Runner-up: Argentina
- 2014 – Tianjin, China (12 teams)
- Winner: England
- Runner-up: Hong Kong
- 2015 – Tianjin, China (12 teams)
- Winner: Brazil
- Runner up: the US
- 2016 – Tianjin, China (six teams)
- Winner: Hong Kong
- Runner up: England
- 2017 – Tianjin, China (six teams)
- Winner: Argentina
- Runner-up: Hong Kong
FIP Super Nations Cup
The FIP Super Nations Cup is a tournament with four professional teams. These teams come from the top polo nations in the world. It has been held at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club.
- 2012
- Winner: Argentina
- Runner-up: US
- 2013
- Winner: Hong Kong
- Runner-up: England
- 2014
- Winner: Hong Kong
- Runner-up: England
The Ambassador's Cup
FIP Ambassadors are people who connect the federation with different countries. They help promote FIP's goals in their own country and other places. Ambassadors are asked to help reach specific goals set by the FIP president. They also support FIP events with their time, effort, and horses. The Ambassador program started when FIP was founded. It helped get more countries interested in joining the federation.
Many countries joined FIP within a few years. A big way to get new members was through a series of tournaments called the Ambassador's Cups. These tournaments allowed FIP members to play polo in different parts of the world. One of the first Ambassador's Cups was held in Moscow. This helped bring polo back to Russia. Polo had been stopped there during the Russian Revolution in 1918. The tournament was even played in a circus tent because there were no polo fields!
Edition | Date | City | Region/State | Country | Teams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | November 1987 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
Unknown |
2 | January 1988 | Santiago | ![]() |
5 | |
3 | April 1988 | Palm Springs | California | ![]() |
7 |
4 | 1988 | Palm Beach | Florida | ![]() |
8 |
5 | March 1989 | Santiago | ![]() |
12 | |
6 | October 1989 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
4 |
7 | March 1990 | Sydney | New South Wales | ![]() |
8 |
8 | October 1990 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
30 |
9 | November 1990 | Buenos Aires | Buenos AIres | ![]() |
16 |
10 | April 1991 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
8 |
11 | November 1991 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
12 | April 1992 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
16 |
13 | November 1992 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
14 | April 1993 | Mexico City | Mexico City | ![]() |
14 |
15 | August 1993 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
16 |
16 | September 1993 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
Unknown |
17 | November 1993 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
19 |
18 | April 1994 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
8 |
19 | May 1994 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
28 |
20 | November 1994 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
16 |
21 | November 1994 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
16 |
22 | February 1995 | Lahore | Punjab | ![]() |
4 |
23 | February 1995 | Costa Careyes | Jalisco | ![]() |
6 |
24 | April 1995 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
8 |
25 | August 1995 | Unknown | England | ![]() |
6 |
26 | September 1995 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
8 |
27 | November 1995 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
16 |
28 | January 1996 | San José | San José Province | ![]() |
8 |
29 | March 1996 | Lake Worth | Florida | ![]() |
9 |
30 | October 1996 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | ![]() |
Unknown |
31 | November 1996 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
10 |
32 | February 1997 | Santiago | ![]() |
16 | |
33 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
34 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
35 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
36 | October 1998 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
Unknown |
37 | April 1999 | Chantilly | Hauts-de-France | ![]() |
14 |
38 | October 1999 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
8 |
39 | February 2000 | Punta del Este | Maldonado | ![]() |
4 |
40 | April 2000 | Casa de Campo | La Romana | ![]() |
12 |
41 | 2000 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
Unknown |
42 | November 2000 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
4 |
43 | September 2001 | Johannesburg | Gauteng | ![]() |
Unknown |
44 | November 2001 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
16 |
45 | April 2002 | Mexico City | Mexico City | ![]() |
Unknown |
46 | November 2002 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
Unknown |
47 | September 2003 | Chantilly | Hauts-de-France | ![]() |
Unknown |
48 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
49 | December 2003 | Bariloche | Río Negro | ![]() |
8 |
50 | June 2004 | Indaiatuba | São Paulo | ![]() |
Unknown |
51 | October 2004 | Buenos Aires | Buneos Aires | ![]() |
9 |
52 | May 2005 | Sotogrande | Andalusia | ![]() |
12 |
53 | September 2005 | Berlin | Berlin | ![]() |
8 |
54 | November 2005 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
10 |
55 | March 2006 | New Delhi | Delhi | ![]() |
7 |
56 | August 2006 | Ulaanbaatar | Ulaanbaatar | ![]() |
4 |
57 | September 2006 | Aiken | South Carolina | ![]() |
4 |
58 | December 2006 | Salta | Salta | ![]() |
10 |
59 | April 2007 | Orlândia | São Paulo | ![]() |
10 |
60 | June 2007 | Unknown | England | ![]() |
8 |
61 | November 2007 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
24 |
62 | September 2008 | New York | New York | ![]() |
8 |
63 | September 2008 | Teheran | Ostān-e-Tehrān | ![]() |
4 |
64 | November 2008 | Lima | Lima Province | ![]() |
4 |
65 | November 2008 | Mar del Plata | Buenos Aires Province | ![]() |
8 |
66 | March 2009 | Sydney | New South Wales | ![]() |
Unknown |
67 | April 2009 | Kuala Lumpur | Wilayah Persekutuan | ![]() |
4 |
68 | September 2009 | Siena | Toscana | ![]() |
Unknown |
69 | November 2009 | Quito | Pichincha Province | ![]() |
Unknown |
70 | November 2009 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
Unknown |
71 | September 2010 | Unknown | New York State | ![]() |
8 |
72 | September 2010 | Lima | Lima Province | ![]() |
Unknown |
73 | November 2010 | San Luis | San Luis | ![]() |
8 |
74 | February 2011 | Costa Careyes | Jalisco | ![]() |
4 |
75 | November 2011 | Santiago | ![]() |
Unknown | |
76 | March 2012 | New Delhi | Delhi | ![]() |
6 |
77 | April 2012 | Palm Beach | Florida | ![]() |
8 |
78 | November 2012 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
79 | April 2013 | Palm Beach | Florida | ![]() |
6 |
80 | September 2013 | Rome | Lazio | ![]() |
5 |
81 | November 2013 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
82 | April 2014 | Palm Beach | Florida | ![]() |
6 |
83 | June 2014 | Teheran | Ostān-e-Tehrān | ![]() |
8 |
84 | September 2014 | Rome | Lazio | ![]() |
6 |
85 | November 2014 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
16 |
86 | September 2015 | Victoria | British Columbia | ![]() |
6 |
87 | October 2015 | Rome | Lazio | ![]() |
4 |
88 | November 2015 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
89 | April 2016 | Port Mayaca | Florida | ![]() |
8 |
90 | July 2016 | London | England | ![]() |
6 |
91 | September 2016 | Rome | Lazio | ![]() |
6 |
92 | December 2016 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
93 | May 2017 | Santa Barbara | California | ![]() |
6 |
94 | April 2017 | Courances | Île-de-France | ![]() |
6 |
95 | September 2017 | Rome | Lazio | ![]() |
Unknown |
96 | November 2017 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
Unknown |
97 | April 2018 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
8 |
98 | May 2018 | Santiago de Querétaro | Querétaro | ![]() |
8 |
99 | July 2018 | Rome | Lazio | ![]() |
12 |
100 | September 2018 | Indaiatuba | São Paulo | ![]() |
20 |
101 | December 2018 | Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | ![]() |
12 |
102 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
103 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
104 | October 2019 | Lahore | Punjab | ![]() |
6 |
105 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
106 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
107 | November 2021 | Unknown | Unknown | ![]() |
Unknown |
108 | February 2022 | Punta del Este | Maldonado | ![]() |
4 |
109 | August 2022 | Asunción | Asunción | ![]() |
8 |
Women's Nations Cup
The Women's Nations Cup was played in Argentina from December 12 to 16, 2021. Three teams took part: Argentina, England, and the US. The tournament was played at the Palermo Polo Fields.
Here are the teams that played:
- England (21 handicap points total):
- Georgie Cunningham (0)
- Steph Haverhals (4)
- Milly Hine (7)
- Hazel Jackson (10)
- US (21 handicap points total):
- Cecelia Cochran (5)
- Dawn Jones (6)
- Meghan Gracida (3)
- Hope Arellano (7)
- Argentina (22 handicap points total):
- Lia Salvo (10)
- Milagros Sanchez (7)
- Azucena Uranga (5)
- Paulina Vasquetto (0)
See also
In Spanish: Federación Internacional de Polo para niños
- World Polo Championship
- Horseball
- Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations
- International Chovgan Federation (IGF) for Chovgan established in 2 February 2024