Off your high horse: Argentina’s new sport of e-wheel polo – in pictures
Roda polo, which started during the Covid pandemic in Argentina, replaces horses with electric wheels, so it is cheaper and no animals are harmed. These photographs were taken in Pilar, near Buenos Aires, the world’s polo capital
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Roda polo is booming among young people in Argentina as it offers a fun, fast-paced and accessible way to enjoy the excitement of polo
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Rodders Academy in Pilar offers a two-week course on mastering the e-wheel
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Children get ready to play in a tournament in Buenos Aires, where the sport is gaining popularity
Photograph: Irina Werning
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A group of young roda polo players watch as prizes are given out at the tournament, organised by Javier Tanoira, a former polo player who invented roda polo
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Players also use their e-wheels to get around and for fun
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Roda polo players enjoy the informal nature of the sport
Photograph: Irina Werning
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There two girls who play traditional polo as well as roda polo say they enjoy the inclusivity of the new sport
Photograph: Irina Werning
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As e-wheel technology gets cheaper, roda polo is reaching more young people
Photograph: Irina Werning
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From a young age, boys and girls can compete together in roda polo. Traditional polo often separates them due to the physical demands of riding horses
Photograph: Irina Werning
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A car packed with e-wheels, helmets, and mallets at a traditional polo game
Photograph: Irina Werning
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A group of friends at a polo tournament in Pilar
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Children learning roda polo at an academy after school
Photograph: Irina Werning
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A boy takes horses back to their truck after a day playing traditional and roda polo
Photograph: Irina Werning
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When hitting the ball or making a challenge in order to gain possession, players must have both feet on the pedals
Photograph: Irina Werning
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With teams of four, the sport emphasises teamwork and quick reactions, creating an exciting and dynamic atmosphere
Photograph: Irina Werning
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At some tournaments, e-wheels now outnumber horses, highlighting the growing popularity of roda polo alongside the traditional sport
Photograph: Irina Werning
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The new variant of polo is already recognised by the Argentine Polo Association, officially sharing the same game rules with adjustments
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Roda polo equipment comprises an e-wheel, a short mallet, a tennis ball and a helmet, making the sport easily accessible
Photograph: Irina Werning
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A player prepares the field for roda polo, setting up the goalposts. One traditional polo field can fit three roda polo fields
Photograph: Irina Werning
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A group of children arrives at a roda polo academy
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Time to be fed after the game
Photograph: Irina Werning
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Roda polo is thought to help young players develop their regular polo skills
Photograph: Irina Werning
