The Argentine Polo Pony is a horse, and not a pony, that is famous for its outstanding performance as a polo mount. While some consider this horse to be a "type" rather than a "breed," Horse Isle considers the Argentine Polo Pony as a breed due to its ancestry, breeding guidelines, and breed standard.

From Argentine Criollo to Argentine Polo:
Polo became popular in Argentina by the end of the 19th century, but, unfortunately, there were no Argentine breeds that could excel in this sport.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Argentine breeders decided to create a native polo breed. They did this by crossing Thoroughbred stallions with Argentine Criollo mares and, in the case of some breeders, also adding the blood of American Quarter Horses and Arabian horses to a very limited extent.

A perfect mount for a perfect polo match:
After 30 years of selective breeding, the Argentine Polo Pony became a distinct type of horse. It combined the athleticism and speed of the Thoroughbred, with the outstanding stamina and sturdiness of the Argentine Criollo. As such, the Argentine Polo Pony was able to keep cantering or galloping during the entire game, and could withstand the force involved in collisions with other horses.

The Argentine Polo Pony today:
The Argentine Polo Pony proved to be an exceptional polo breed, and today it is one of the most popular breeds in Argentina. The breeding of this talented horse revolves around its performance as a polo mount, and breeding stock is picked accordingly.

Unlike most other breeds, it is not mandatory to register an Argentine Polo Pony with the Argentine Association of Polo Pony Breeders in order for the horse to be eligible for breeding. Nevertheless, many breeders choose to register their horses as it helps to constantly improve this breed.

Breeding:
In Horse Isle, breeders can create Argentine Polo Ponies by crossing Argentine Criollos with Thoroughbreds, or by crossing two Argentine Polo Ponies. Crossing an Argentine Polo Pony with any other breed, including with a Thoroughbred or an Argentine Criollo, will result in a grade foal.

No feathering:
It is important to note that contrary to Argentine Criollos, Argentine Polo Ponies do not have feathering. Therefore, in Horse Isle, those who want to create Argentine Polo Ponies should use only Argentine Criollos that carry 'ff' or 'fF' for feathering.

Conformation:
The conformation of the Argentine Polo Pony is characterized by a light head and a thin neck that connects to a much more muscular body. It has a minimal crest, prominent withers, a sloping croup, and an overall athletic build.

The mane is short or medium in length, and the legs are clear from feathering.

Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered Argentine Polo Ponies in Horse Isle (not bred ones). In rare cases, horses might have metrics outside of the range. Breeders can produce horses that are beyond this range.

Speed: 16.9-18.1, 17.5 (0.3), 0.05.
Sprint: 61-75, 67 (3), 0.56.

Accel: 0.97-1.13, 1.06 (0.04), 0.01.
Decel: 0.96-1.09, 1.03 (0.03), 0.01.

Jump: 5.27-5.59, 5.45 (0.06), 0.01.
Pull: 2.21-2.88, 2.55 (0.13), 0.03.

Turning: 54.67-69.19, 62.31 (3.15), 0.62.
Reverse: 2.6-3.3, 2.9 (0.1), 0.03.

Stamina: 43.23-48.07, 45.56 (1.04), 0.20.
Reaction: 0.76-0.85, 0.81 (0.02), 0.00.

A large palette:
Argentine Polo Ponies are usually bay, brown, black, chestnut, or gray, and their coat is usually solid, though in rarer cases it can also be manchado, frame-overo, or sabino.

However, because there are no official color restrictions for Argentine Polo Ponies, then in Horse Isle, Argentine Polo Ponies come in every color and pattern that exists in the Thoroughbred and Argentine Criollo breeds.

Coats & Height:
Colors & patterns: all except champagne, dominant-black, mushroom, pearl, silver-dapple, leopard, mealy.

Height: usually 15.1hh to 15.2hh, but the full height range is 14.2hh to 16hh.