Pato: Argentina’s Wild National Sport on Horseback
When it comes to witnessing the remarkable horsemanship of a gaucho, few things rival the thrill of watching them play pato - Argentina’s national sport, and a heart-pounding blend of skill, speed, and tradition.
The word pato means “duck” in Spanish, and in the sport’s early days, that’s exactly what was used: a live duck placed inside a basket. Competing gauchos from neighbouring estancias would gallop across the countryside, each team trying to carry the duck back to their casco - the main ranch house - to claim victory. As you might imagine, these matches were rough, chaotic, and not exactly kind to the duck.
Thankfully, the live animal was eventually replaced by a specially designed ball with six leather handles, and in the 1930s, a formal set of rules was introduced - taking cues from polo, but keeping the raw, rural spirit of the game alive.
Modern pato is an electrifying spectacle. Played between two teams of four riders, the game is fast, furious, and utterly gripping to watch. Players pass the ball by swinging it through the air, often while leaning perilously far off their horses. The most dramatic moment? When the ball drops, and riders must scoop it up from the ground - at full gallop - without dismounting. It’s a daring display of athleticism and trust between horse and rider that will leave any spectator in awe.
Not for the faint-hearted, pato remains a living symbol of Argentina’s equestrian heritage, where tradition and adrenaline meet in one unforgettable game.
Two four-member teams fight for possession of a ball which has 6 leather handles.
The goals are vertically positioned rings, one either end of the ground, usually with netting attached.
