Thundering hooves, clashing mallets, daring hooks and smooth swings — Calcutta polo season 2011 galloped off to an action-packed start on Sunday afternoon, promising eight days of adrenaline and excitement at the BFL Corp Ezra World Cup 2011, presented by Calcutta Polo Club, in association with The Telegraph.

This is the 150th year of Calcutta Polo Club, the oldest in the circuit, and players and patrons from India and abroad have trotted into town for the grand occasion.

“I have always heard of Calcutta, about this ground, which is the oldest in the world. It has been a dream to come here,” said Carlos Gracida, a “living legend” who will captain the US team.

Calcutta’s polo legacy doesn’t stop with being the birthplace of modern polo or the oldest polo club still in existence. The city is home to the Pat Williamson ground on the Maidan, which is the oldest polo ground still in use, while the Ezra Cup is the oldest polo trophy in the world.

Eduardo Huergo, the president of the Federation of International Polo, pointed out that while modern polo originated only in 1862, in Calcutta, such was its pull that within 20 years, it had spread all over the world.

The audience got a taste of the power of polo when within seconds of chief guest GoC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt-Gen B.K. Singh throwing in the ball for the first match — Rome versus Army Polo and Riding Club (Delhi) — Italian captain Vittorio Rendina scored a goal, setting the mood for the bright sunny winter afternoon.

As the goals piled up, the crowd perked up and cheered, roaring every time a player sent the ball soaring.

Commentator Lt. Sharad Saxena explained how Calcutta still carries on the tradition of playing with a ball made of bamboo root, while others have shifted to plastic ones.

After four chukkers of fine footwork and frenzied play, Team Rome beat Team APRC 9-5.5 to lift the Carmichael Cup 1932.

There are three other teams competing this season — home team Calcutta Polo Club, captained by Col. Tarun Sirohi of the 61st Cavalry, Carnoustie (US) and Nusantara (Indonesia).

After the game, members of the 61st Cavalry, the only mounted regiment in the world, demonstrated some heart-stopping trick riding. The last event of the day turned out to be the most beautiful — smartly dressed armymen steering handsome chestnut and dark bay horses trotting to a host of dance numbers.

“I had the most amazing time here. It was thrilling, it was exciting; the speed was almost scary! I’m so glad I am home for the holidays and can enjoy polo,” gushed Upasana Thapar, a student at Delhi University.

Monday: Calcutta Polo Club vs Nusantara (Indonesia), 2.30pm.