Though polo was invented and first played in Persia (Iran) in the 5th century BC, it were the British settlers in the Argentine Pampas who started practising the game locally, during their free time. In 1875, the first polo game in Argentina was organized by David Shennan. The game spread fast between the skillful gauchos and soon several clubs were opened.

Historically, Argentina has always been the leading country in polo. Argentine players comprise most of the world's top ten players – if not all! Argentina's polo team won their first Olympic Gold Medal in 1924. Polo is not an Olympic sport today.

The Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (Argentine Polo Open) is the most important polo championship in the world at club level. The venue for this prestigious tournament is known as the Catedral, inPalermo, Buenos Aires. The handicap in each team must totalise between 28 and 40 goals. It is organised by the Asociacion Argentina de Polo (Argentine Polo Association) and it takes place in late November. Together with the Campeonato Abierto de Hurlingham – at the renowned Hurlingham Club, and the Campeonato Abierto de Tortugas, they form the Argentine Triple Crown (surely the dream and highest honor for any polo player).

Today, Adolfo Cambiaso, Gonzalo Pieres Jr. and his brother Facundo, the Novillo Astrada brothers and the Heguy brothers – and cousins – are ranked amongst the best polo players in the world. Between them, they have been the leading players and champions in most of the last 15 or 20 Argentine Opens. They were also the best players in most of their international appearances at the English and American seasons in the last 20 years.

Most polo estates and clubs are located in the Greater Buenos Aires (especially in Pilar, Open Door and Lobos), where most players spend their time immersed in pony breeding. The Argentine Association of Polo Pony Breeders (AACCP in Spanish) was created in 1984 as a result of progress made in the raising of polo ponies and because of the need of breeders to protect and outlast their wonderful horses into new improved breeds.

The top 5 in Argentine polo history is composed by Juan Carlos Harriot, Charlie Menditeguy, Gonzalo Heguy (senior), Bautista Heguy and Adolfito Cambiaso.