"28 AUGUST 2014 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Buddhist monk blesses an elephant before the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament at VR Sports Club in Samut Prakan on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. The tournament's primary sponsor in Anantara Resorts. This is the 13th year for the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. The sport of elephant polo started in Nepal in 1982. Proceeds from the King's Cup tournament goes to help rehabilitate elephants rescued from abuse. Each team has three players and three elephants. Matches take place on a pitch (field) 80 meters by 48 meters using standard polo balls. The game is divided into two 7 minute ""chukkas"" or halves.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ"
{}