The ponies are, for the most part, taken straight off the camp, though in some cases they have been fed on maize and trained.  They are ridden either bareback or with the native “recado,” and catch-weights:  as may be gathered from the method, it is usually “owners up.”

Between these two extreme classes of racing in this country are the English camp race-meetings, which are held by all the larger polo clubs once or twice a year.  Being of rare occurrence, and as some, if not all, of the faces are open to members of other clubs, these are among the chief social gatherings in camp life:  in many cases there is a small polo tournament attached, as it is the best opportunity for those who come from a distance, and could not come twice.  Therefore it usually means a two or three days’ holiday, and often a dance, or some entertainment in the evenings.  Old friends exchange reminiscences, and new acquaintances are formed; while the ladies also make the best of the opportunity to put on their smartest frocks and hats.

The races themselves, too, are the source of considerable talk and excitement:  both horses and jockeys are well known by sight or reputation to the chief part of the company, and any “dark horse” or new arrival, is inspected with care and anxiety by his rivals.

The class of horse entered varies between the three-quarter bred and the “criollo” with no pretence to breeding at all, who often carries off the short polo pony sprints.  Occasionally there may be a thoroughbred entered who has been found wanting at Palermo or Hurlingham, but these are few and not always successful, as the longest races do not often exceed about a mile and a-half.  As the weights correspond to steeplechase weights at home the jockeys are practically always amateurs, and a large percentage of “owners up” is always found.  Young mayor-domos who have never ridden at a meeting before often find themselves ranged alongside of Grand National riders at the start, and some amusing incidents have occurred, though there is some very good amateur riding to be seen as well.

The betting is on a smaller scale generally than at the native meeting, and is often conducted by someone setting up as a public bookmaker; at other times a “sport” is formed after the fashion of Palermo.  Also the auction of all entries before the start of the races in the American way is a great favourite; the total receipts for each race are divided proportionately between those who bought the winner and “placed” horses.

There is opportunity for a little horse-dealing too, and many good polo ponies to send home or play in the tournaments have been picked up in this way.  The shorter races for ponies under polo height give an opportunity to the polo player, and the mayor-domo who cannot train his ponies for longer distances, to try the mettle of their mounts against outside and purer blood.