Pato: Argentina's National Sport

By: Natalia Imberti Posted: 06/05/2022

When we talk about sports played on horseback, we often think only of horse racing and polo competitions.

However, there are more than 15 equestrian disciplines.

Equestrian sports are disciplines that use horses as a main part of the sport. This usually takes the form of the rider being on the horse's back.

Argentina’s national sport is not show jumping, polo, or football, but Pato.

This sport was invented in the 17th century by gauchos whose playing fields were their estancias (ranches), but it was not until 1941 that the Argentine Pato Federation was created and the rules were firmly established.

To learn more about this game, we have interviewed Valentín Villafañe, from the La Mestiza, Recreational and Sports Club, located in the city of Villa María, in the province of Córdoba.

This club offers different horse riding activities, including Pato competitions and classes.

La Mestiza Club

Valentín, thank you very much for accepting our invitation to this interview. Tell us about La Mestiza Club. When was it created and what are its goals?

Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to make our club known.

In the beginning, La Mestiza was a Pato team in 2005, made up of the four Buhlman brothers, who began to play Pato as amateurs and participated in some competitions.

Then the brothers took different paths, but German, the eldest one, always dreamt of having his own team and club.

The years went by and the team changed a lot until 2020, when a group of people with different skills and strengths came together. They had one common goal: their love of horses. They wanted to have a self-sustaining leisure centre with specific projects connected with horses, nature and local culture.

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The origins and history of Pato

Let's talk about this curious sport. Could you briefly explain the origins and history of Pato?

Pato originated in Argentina and dates back to the times of the gauchos, when it was meant for brave riders only, since it was very violent and there were no rules.

Thus, at that time the game was played like this:

«… there are two teams of riders and two separate fields (approximately one league or five kilometres apart). The riders fight for the possession of a hide sack with two or more handles with a live duck inside. The strongest rider of each group must grab a handle and, spurring on their horse, they pull hard until one of them gets the PATO (Spanish for duck). As a consequence, the opponent falls to the ground unless he lets go of the handle. The player holding the sack runs off, giving rival players the chance to grab it and steal it from the player. A team wins by bringing the PATO to its designated field.»

Over the years, the duck was replaced by a white leather ball, with six equidistant handles.

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Why was this game banned at the end of the eighteenth century?

In 1822 the governor of Buenos Aires, General Martín Rodríguez, in a decree endorsed by his government minister, Bernardino Rivadavia, absolutely prohibited the game of Pato, although he did not manage to prevent people from playing it.

Finally, with the government policies of Juan Manuel de Rosas, Pato was almost inexistent. However, in his 1852 book "Cartera de un Soldado", José Ignacio Garmendia mentions the fact that people were playing this game again.

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When and how was it recognized again?

In 1937, Alberto de Castillo Posse wanted to bring back and promote our traditions, and he wrote the rules that helped organize this sport. He developed a special saddle, a new ball with 4 handles and then one with six (the one used today).

However, it was only in 1938 that the governor of Buenos Aires, Manuel A. Fresco lifted the ban.

Thus, the Argentine Pato Federation was founded in 1941. This association’s headquarters are based in the fields in which this sport is played and it aims to promote and regulate the game of Pato.

This association is in charge of organizing tournaments and ensuring the enforcement of the regulation, while guiding and promoting the breeding of the most suitable horses for this activity.

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About the game itself

Let's get to the point. Could you briefly tell us what this game is like and what its main object is?

The object of the game is to score goals by throwing the pato (ball) through a vertically positioned ring. It requires a lot of individual skill and teamwork.

Pato is played with two teams of four members each, who compete for the ball. The player has to ride with his arm stretched out so that the rivals can get a chance to snatch the ball. A goal is scored when the ball is thrown through a vertical ring. Each player has a specific position within the field.

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Are there referees to make sure that players follow the rules?

Umpires are responsible for the game safety and must ensure that the match is played in accordance with its rules. Infractions are penalized.

There are usually two referees on horseback and an umpire sitting outside the field, who will make a decision when there is a dubious action.

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We know that this game is played on horseback, but how many horses does each player need?

For one match, each player needs at least two horses and, according to the level and requirements, up to five or six horses.

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What type of equipment do we need to play Pato?

Players will come into the field on horseback and they must wear white breeches, knee-high boots, a helmet and a jersey with their number and team colour on it. They may also use knee guards to avoid possible injuries.

Pato wraps protect the horse’s legs.

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The Pato field

How big is a Pato field?

The Pato field is rectangular in shape. It measures 220m (maximum size) or 180m (minimum size) in length, and 90m (maximum size) or 80m (minimum size) in width. A safety area of at least 5 meters should be provided for both sides of the field with a larger safety zone of 20 meters at the ends, marked with safety fences.

The rings or goalposts are centred at each end of the field. The ring should be round and 1 meter in diameter. It is placed at 2.70 meters high and made of soft material (e.g. pine wood) to avoid serious injury in case of an accident.

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Apart from its size, what other specifications does this field have?

As the main requirement the field must be grass and be level.

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The rules and regulations of Pato

Like any in competitive sport, in Pato there are rules that players must follow. Which are the most important ones?

To prevent injuries, there are strict rules regarding fair play and sportsmanship: reckless riding or zigzagging in front of another rider are penalized.

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Which are the main fouls and penalties?

They range from shooting penalties and changes of service to sending off.

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Is there any institution or body in charge of regulating the game of Pato in Argentina?

In Argentina, the body that regulates this sport is the Argentine Pato Federation (Federación Argentina de Pato – FAP – in Spanish).

The FAP has developed a document where the rules of Pato. are specified in detail. You can download it if you click this link.

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Pato Events and Tournaments

Is the game of Pato played only in Argentina, or has it been exported to other countries? Is there a similar sport in other countries?

Pato, with our rules, is played only in Argentina, at the moment.

There is another very similar sport that resulted from an adaptation of Pato: Horseball (www.fihb.net), It was invented in France and is played in different countries of the European Union.

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What are the main Pato events that are organized in Argentina?

Almost every month of the year there are regional matches; in Cordoba there have been several tournaments for different levels since the beginning of the year.

These are the main events:

• Torneo Remonta y Veterinaria, in June.
• Torneo Argentino de Baja, in September.
• Torneo Argentino de Alta, in October.
• Finally, from the end of October, and during the months of November and December, there is the the Pato Triple Crown which ends with the Argentinian Open in Palermo, Buenos Aires.

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Thank you

We want to thank Valentín Villafañe for this interview, in which we have discovered this unusual Argentinian sport.

As horse lovers, we are also glad that companies like La Mestiza promote horse riding activities and help create greater awareness on horse-related issues.

/ Photos: La Mestiza Club and Poli Baigorri /

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