A heart-pounding afternoon of polo, the world's oldest team sport, will be played on Harrisburg, PA's West Shore Saturday, August 17 to benefit the Harrisburg Opera. The 4th Annual Hempt Cup Polo Classic will pit the four-man West Shore Polo Club team against the visiting Lancaster (PA) Polo Club.

Polo is an intensely physical, spirited game, similar to hockey on horseback. Teams of four mounted players hit a hard white ball 3 inches in diameter with 4 foot long mallets from the backs of their 1,000-pound thoroughbreds, while galloping 20 to 35 miles an hour. The goal is to score by hitting the ball between the uprights at each end of the field, which is the size of ten football fields. Defensive plays, all executed at speed, include hooking an opposing player's mallet, bumping a player's galloping horse at up to a 45 degree angle with one's own, and "riding off," or pushing a player's horse off the line of the ball with one's own mount. Players wear helmets with facemasks, kneepads and tall tough leather boots as protection, while their mounts or "ponies" wear protective leg wraps. Each player needs three or more horses to play the six chukker (period) match.

Tailgating is a tradition long associated with polo, and this year tailgaters will be recognized for their creativity and culinary acumen as the Hempt Polo Cup presents its first tailgating competition. For those who want to stay out of the kitchen, refreshments will be available. The day will also feature a variety of entertainment including a riotous demonstration of Flyball, the world's fastest growing dog sport, and a musical freestyle dressage demonstration by Suzanne Reggio. As is the polo custom, the audience will be invited onto the field at half-time for the traditional stomping of the divots. (Replacing divots helps to keep the field level and free of holes for the safety of players and horses.)

The gates open at 1 pm and the match begins at 3 pm. The benefit polo match will be held at Hempt Farm on Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg, PA, opposite Cumberland Valley High School. Hempt Farm is a privately owned 700-acre Standardbred breeding farm, home to 1,500 horses including the 1998 national leading money-winning pacer, Shady Character.

Spectators can choose from several options for enjoying the match. Sponsorships of tented pavilions affording premium views of all the action are available for 8 to 24 guests. The pavilions, furnished with tables, chairs and tablecloths, and including reserved premium parking admissions, and sponsorship recognition, cost from $375 to $850. Catering is available.

Fieldside patron parking spaces, including reserved sideline parking for one vehicle, four chairs and four adult admissions, cost $75. General admission is $10. Admission for children under age 12 and parking is free. To reserve a sponsor or patron space, or for more information, phone (717) 506-2203.