U S PA B U L L E T I N
DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM
COVID-19 Due to the health concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak, on Monday, March 16, the United States Polo Association made the difficult decision to postpone the three remaining Intercollegiate/Interscholastic tournaments: Northeastern Intercollegiate Regionals, National Interscholastic Championships and National Intercollegiate Championships. The association looks forward to rescheduling these events later in the year. Furthermore, on Saturday, March 21, the USPA determined it was in the best interest of health and safety for players, their families and team organizations, fans and all the people that help to put on USPA polo events, to cancel the balance of the 2020 Gauntlet of Polo winter season and the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship. The USPA anticipates rescheduling the balance of the 2020 USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship in late January 2021 prior to the start of the 2021 Gauntlet of Polo. The association will consider the feasibility of rescheduling the 2020 U.S. Open Polo Championship, as well as options for changing the handicap level of the pre-Gauntlet tournaments next winter.
If you are willing to be contacted for additional information, you may leave your name and phone number, which will be kept confidential. The anonymous tip line number is (866) 563-5534. Reporting forms can also be found online at uspolo.org and may be sent by email to equinewelfare@uspolo.org.
Equine Welfare Tip Line An anonymous tip line has been established for reporting equine abuse and neglect. The USPA Equine Welfare Committee encourages anyone making a report to first reach out to local authorities, such as animal control or the police, to report the issue. If you would like to also report to the USPA, please provide as much detail as possible. If you prefer to remain anonymous, please leave as many details as possible on the voice mail. Be sure to include the city and state the horses are located in, as well as the name of the person responsible for them, if known; how many horses are involved and any information you think is pertinent.
DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM
Host an Umpire Clinic Once it is deemed safe to do so, USPA member clubs are encouraged to host umpire clinics to refine the skills of club umpires and to review USPA rules, rule interpretations and their implementation. The USPA Umpires, LLC will schedule an instructor to teach both outdoor and arena clinics based on their availability. The Umpire Clinic/Rules Review Program is a service the USPA Umpires, LLC provides to all USPA member clubs.
6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Umpire Clinic Requirements and Guidelines • Programs are instructional and oriented toward improving the skill and safety levels of all participants. Programs are generally applicable to a broad range of participants. Programs may require certain levels of riding experience for safety. • USPA Umpires, LLC will arrange for a qualified instructor to teach at the level of your clinic. • Clubs will be invoiced $700 for each clinic. This fee covers the instructor’s fee, airfare, transportation and lodging. • To allow for lower airfares and help with the availability of an instructor, a minimum of four weeks’ notice is required when requesting a clinic.
