Executed consistently throughout a game, the ride-off is a crucial riding skill that players of all abilities need to practice and master in order to excel in a game. Will ride-offs most commonly happen away from the ball, there are situations where it is used to gain possession by pushing the player off the line of the ball to gain the right of way.
In the 2021 U.S. Open Polo Championship, young American player Mackenzie Weisz did just that against 10-goaler Polito Pieres by effectively positioning himself and using textbook technique.
At the beginning of the play, Pieres gains possession of the ball and begins moving downfield. Recognizing the opportunity for a ride-off, Weisz positions his horse parallel to Pieres and matches his speed. By doing this, it allows Weisz to set up the ride-off and not foul by entering the play at a dangerous angle.
With the correct positioning, Weisz executes the ride-off by going saddle-to-saddle or shoulder-to-shoulder with Pieres and using the momentum and movement of his horse to push Pieres off the line of the ball. Weisz can be seen to be stablising his position by bringing two hands to the reins and ensuring he has a strong platform at the initiation of the ride-off. By completing the play, he then can make his own play on the ball to begin the counterattack.
After gaining possession with the ride-off, Weisz has taken Pieres out of the play and can come back to the ball on his nearside. While turning is an option if there are no oncoming players behind him, Wesiz effectively uses the nearside backhand to direct the ball back towards goal. The scoring opportunity was generated by his ability to use his riding technique and claim the best position on the play.
See the below video of the entire ride-off sequence from Coca-Cola's Mackenzie Weisz during the 2021 U.S. Open Polo Championship.
For more ride-off examples, visit the Polo Development app:
Ride-off Examples