Pato
P
PLAYERS
8+, two teams, on horseback
DIFFICULTY
SETTING
Outdoor
MATERIALS
- A ball with sturdy leather handles (the pato)
- Horses for each player
- Two elevated basket goals
MEASUREMENTS
A long open field with a goal basket mounted on a pole at each end.
HOW TO PLAY
1
Riders form two mounted teams and take the field with the handled ball placed at center.
2
A player scoops up the pato by its handles while riding, holding it steady with an outstretched arm.
3
Opposing riders may grab the opposite handle and pull to contest possession, so long as both hands stay on the ball's handles.
4
The riding team advances the pato downfield through passing and contested pulls toward the opposing team's basket.
5
A goal is scored by tossing the pato up and through the elevated basket at the end of the field.
6
The team with more goals when time expires wins the match.