Search results
Pato, also called juego del pato (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxweɣo ðel ˈpato], literally "duck game"), is a game played on horseback that combines elements from polo and basketball. Since 1953 it has been the national sport of Argentina. [1]
- History of Pato. 17th century: Pato’s origin can be traced back to this century when Argentine gauchos played the game using a live duck (pato in Spanish) placed in a basket.
- Culture and Traditions. Pato plays an essential role in Argentina’s cultural identity, especially in rural communities where the game was first played.
- How it Works: Rules, Gameplay and Equipment. 📕 Rules & Gameplay. Teams: Pato is played by two teams with four players each. Objective: Players aim to score by throwing the ball through a vertically hanging hoop, located at each end of the field.
- Modern Development of Pato. In recent decades, Pato has undergone a gradual evolution to adapt to contemporary times. Newer game strategies and improved riding techniques have enhanced the competitiveness and entertainment value of the sport.
- Argentina’s National Sport
- Pato: The National Sport of Argentina
- Pato’s Violent History
- My Pato Experience
- How to See Pato
When you think about popular sports in Argentina, world famous athletes like Messi and Maradona are probably what come to mind. But while fútbol may illicit intense passion and polo may draw out the posh bourgeoisie, neither of these popular past times represents Argentina’s national sport. So, what is the official game of Argentina? You’d be forgi...
Pato is a blend of polo and basketball (with a touch of Harry Potter’s Quidditch). The ball is made of leather and features 6 equi-distant handles. Pato may be Spanish for duck but no ducks are harmed in today’s version of the sport. Brutally, that has not always been the case (more on that later!). There are four players per team, each one a highl...
Pato is Spanish for duck. So yes, the name of the sport translates directly to duck, and no, things don’t end well for the duck. Instead of the PETA-friendly ball that is used today, a leather hide sack with a live duck inside was the “ball.” And things weren’t only rougher for the duck, things were much more violent for the players. Gaucho’s lived...
I have been dying to see a juego de pato since I heard of the sport’s existence. It may have taken me a while, but the stars aligned and I finally made it to a tournament in the small provincial town of Chascomus. I’d been to a polo game once in Buenos Aires. I had expected something similar but was met by something completely different. There was ...
If you want to see a game of pato for yourself while in Buenos Aires, then you’re in luck. It’s actually very easy because the Pato & Horseball Federation are very well organized online (which unfortunately isn’t always the case here in Argentina). First, check the schedule on the official website here. Check the dates and cities under the “Calenda...
Pato looks something like a mix between polo and basketball in which two teams of four riders on horseback compete to score by getting the “pato” through metre-wide netted hoops that are placed at a height of 2.4m at either end of the grass pitch, The game is played over six periods of eight minutes, with five-minute breaks between each period.
Juego del pato, more commonly referred to Pato, is the national sport of Argentina and is a game played on horseback that combines elements of polo and basketball. It was invented in the 17th century by gauchos whose playing field would stretch from one farm to the next!
May 3, 2023 · Pato is more than just a sport in Argentina; it is a reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage and history. The sport’s origins as a game played by gauchos on horseback give it a uniquely Argentine identity, and its evolution over the years has helped it become an important part of the nation’s sporting fabric.
Pato is Argentina’s national sport. Pato is the Spanish word for 'duck', and earlier versions of this game required throwing a duck instead of a ball inside a basket. The playing field stretched between neighboring ranches. The modern version of Pato is played with two teams of four members each.
