Association News

Polo Helmet Update The USPA would like to share the following information regarding the upcoming changes to the USPA Helmet Requirements (Outdoor Rule 4 and Arena Rule 3). Beginning June 1, 2020 players participating in USPA events and club events, which include any USPA national, circuit or sanctioned tournament or league, any intercollegiate/interscholastic or National Youth Tournament Series event, as well as any clublevel game, league or tournament, will be required to wear helmets that pass the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) ND050 Polo Helmet Standard.

Over the past several years, the USPA Safety Committee has done extensive research on polo helmet safety and has consulted with experts in the departments of bioengineering, sports safety and liability. In the fall of 2017, the Safety Committee recommended the board adopt a rule requiring players to wear a helmet that meets the NOCSAE polo helmet standard to help to reduce the possibility of brain injury. The board recently approved the changes to the USPA rules to take effect June 1, 2020, provided that more than one helmet that meets the NOCSAE-approved polo helmet standard is available to the membership. The board will continue to monitor the availability of helmets that meet the NOCSAE standard.

Please review the following information and feel free to reach out to USPA Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan at ldolan@uspolo.org or Safety Committee Chairman Dr. Thor Norregaard at norregaardt@health.missouri.edu should you have any questions. • NOCSAE is an independent and nonprofit standards development body that has certification standards for football, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, soccer and many other sports. They are also the only organization that has a certification standard that is specific to the sport of polo. In addition, participants in the SEI certification program must hold a valid license agreement with NOCSAE. • In order to receive SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) Certification for ND050 polo helmets, manufacturers must pass physical testing of their product, have an on-site audit of their manufacturing facility, have an approved recall procedure and must maintain $2 million product liability insurance. • The Virginia Tech helmet lab conducted a review of standards for evaluating helmet performance. In doing so, they compared the following standards: NOCSAE ND050, PAS 015:2001 with BSI

Kitemark, VG1 01.040-2014 with BSI Kitemark, (BS) EN 1384:2017 with CE mark, AS/NZS 3838: 2006, ASTM F1163, and Snell E2001. Following its review, the Virginia Tech helmet lab recommended the NOCSAE ND050 standard above all of the others. To review the findings, please visit the following link: uspolo.org/assets/pdf/Virginia-Tech-PoloStandards.pdf. • Currently, the Casablanca NEU and the Charles Owen Sovereign are the only helmets that pass both the NOCSAE polo standard and the standard required by the Hurlingham Polo Association. As additional helmets that pass the NOCSAE polo standard become available, they will be added to the list of approved helmets. • The new polo helmet mandate (2020 USPA Outdoor Rule 4 and USPA Arena Rule 3) does not take effect until June 1, 2020. However, helmet manufacturers need to have time to produce enough helmets for all USPA members. If all USPA members wait until May to order their NOCSAE helmets, the manufacturers will not have adequate time to produce them. • Armis and Instinct do not currently produce any helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 standard. The USPA conducted preliminary testing in 2017, and at that time there were no helmets that passed the NOCSAE ND050 standard. In order to obtain this certification, manufacturers will need to develop new helmets or revise current helmet designs to meet the standard. • Manufacturers may offer discounts to USPA members, youth players and for bulk orders. Please contact the manufacturers directly for additional information. • The USPA is not directly affiliated with any helmet manufacturer and manufacturers have the ability to set their own pricing and may offer discounts. • Generic riding helmets, which may pass other standards such as the ASTM F1163 equestrian standard, undergo a different testing protocol and must be replaced after a single impact. Notably, the NOCSAE ND050 testing is designed specifically for the sport of polo and accounts for multiple impacts, which occur from the rider falling, being struck with a mallet or ball or coming in contact with another player. It is also important to note that MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) technology is not required for the NOCSAE ND050 standard. • Eye protection, such as a facemask, must be deemed as an “authorized accessory” by the helmet manufacturer. If the facemask is an authorized accessory then it does not void the certification.

However, if the end user applies a facemask that is not the helmet manufacturer’s authorized accessory, then the NOCSAE/SEI certification would be void.

Gauntlet of Polo The Gauntlet of Polo, a prestigious three-tournament series, featuring 14 of the world’s best polo teams, began on Feb. 5, and continues the multifaceted sponsorship that began last year between U.S. Polo Assn. and the Gauntlet of Polo. The partnership serves to increase the visibility of the U.S. Polo Assn. brand on site at Gauntlet of Polo events and in media. The partnership sees U.S. Polo Assn. branding across the breadth of the Gauntlet of Polo, from stadium naming rights and field signage to advertising within broadcasts.

“As the official brand of the USPA, we are honored and thrilled to be serving as the main sponsor for one of the world’s most competitive polo competitions right here in Wellington, Florida,” said J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, the worldwide licensor of the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “This thrilling series and the broadcast opportunities connected to it bring even more exposure both to the sport of polo and to the authentic connection between the sport and our brand. We hope that both loyal and new sports fans watching the games will also become fans of the classic, vibrant and sport-inspired style that is U.S. Polo Assn.”

The wide-ranging sponsorship provides U.S. Polo Assn. with naming rights of Field 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, site of all Gauntlet games. Additionally, U.S. Polo Assn. signage is positioned in key locations on the playing field, including the side boards, end field and goal posts. Signage is also prominently posted around the grounds, including light poles and entrance signs.

All teams competing in the Gauntlet are wearing custom-branded performance jerseys with the authentic U.S. Polo Assn. double horsemen mark. Additionally, several hundred IPC staff members will be outfitted in custom-designed polo shirts. Onsite is a U.S. Polo Assn. brand shop and a U.S. Polo Assn. pop-up shop in partnership with The Tackeria, a Wellington, Florida, tack shop that carries one of the most complete selections of equestrian equipment in the world, as well as sport-inspired apparel.

The U.S. Polo Assn. logo will be featured prominently in media, including sponsorship of the CBS Sports Sunday, April 26, airing of the U.S. Open Polo Championship at 2 p.m. ET, presented by Discover the Palm Beaches.

The Gauntlet of Polo began with the C.V. Whitney Cup from Feb. 5-23, followed by the USPA Gold Cup from Feb. 22-March 22. The series concludes March 21-April 19 with the prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship.

Fans can watch all three Gauntlet of Polo events in many ways: • Live on site at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida; • Livestreamed on Global Polo TV at GlobalPolo.com, as well as through multiple applications, such as Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon; • CBS Sports will air the U.S. Open Polo Championship final, presented by Discover the Palm Beaches on Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. ET.

Gator Giveaway Last year marked the first year USPA member clubs were eligible to win a John Deere TS Gator through the USPA Polo Plus Discount Program. The association offered a John Deere Grand Prize to the USPA member club with the highest cumulative discount program dollar amount spent by its members during the year. Second and third place were also eligible for prizes. In addition, all USPA members that utilized the discount program with any of the participating companies were entered into a drawing for a $500 Tackeria gift certificate.

Congratulations to the following winners: Grand Prize John Deere TS Gator: Houston Polo Club (Houston, Texas) Second Place: Grand Champions Polo Club (Wellington, Florida) will receive a custom 10 x 20 tent and a Yeti cooler Third Place: Des Moines Polo Club (Norwalk, Iowa) will receive a set of custom goal posts and a box of Texas Polo balls.

$500 Tackeria Gift Certificate: Louis Berizzi Jr. of Farmer Road Polo Club, LLC (Wagener, South Carolina)

The John Deere TS Gator Giveaway, in conjunction with the USPA Polo Plus Discount Program, will continue in 2020. Visit www.uspolo.org for a full list of participating companies, including John Deere, Nationwide, Sherwin Williams, Office Depot, UPS and many more. Best of luck to all of our USPA member clubs! •

Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, Florida 33467 • (800) 232-USPA Chairman: Stewart Armstrong President: Tony Coppola Secretary: Charles Smith Treasurer: Steven Rudolph Chief Executive Officer: Robert Puetz

Scholarships are available for those players planning on playing on an intercollegiate team next year.

National Youth Tournament Series The NYTS qualifying season officially begins March 1. USPA members in good standing, born after 1/1/2001 and with a minimum of a minus-1 handicap are eligible to participate. For more information, please contact your local club or visit the uspolo.org website.

Intercollegiate Scholarships Are you a current intercollegiate or senior interscholastic player who is planning to play on an intercollegiate polo team? Six $4,000 scholarships are available through the USPA Intercollegiate Scholarship program. Requirements can be found on uspolo.org. Applications will be accepted April 1-June 1. Contact Amy Fraser at afraser@uspolo.org for more details.

completing 100 hours in the saddle, participating in four I/I games, and are in good academic standing, you are eligible for an Interscholastic Varsity Letter! For more information on the program and application, please go to the interscholastic program page on uspolo.org or contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

I/I Fundraising The Start-Up & Enhancement program is in place to help programs through providing reimbursable grants to clubs participating in the I/I program. The I/I fundraising application is open to all intercollegiate and interscholastic teams looking to hold fundraisers to support their I/I teams. If you are interested in applying for a reimbursement grant of up to $1000 in 2020, please visit the I/I webpage on uspolo.org for more details.

For more information on the I/I Start-Up & Enhancement program, please contact I/I Program Coordinator Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org. •

Lucas Escobar Accelerating his career in the Gauntlet

At just 17 years old, 2-goaler Lucas Escobar has assumed the most coveted position in the Gauntlet of Polo starting lineup, playing alongside Pilot’s Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres.

Claiming 16 consecutive wins for a flawless record in 2019, Pilot is the reigning Gauntlet champion, sweeping not only the three most prestigious tournament titles, but $1 million in prize money in the inaugural competition.

Playing at the 22-goal level for the first time, Escobar is no stranger to the trophy stage. His notable wins include the 2019 Silver Air Pacific Coast Open, 2019 Farmers & Merchants Bank America Cup, 2019 Junior Westchester Cup (of which he was named Most Valuable Player) and the 2017 National Youth Tournament Series Championship. His father, Luis Escobar, received his first high-goal opportunity at 15, playing with Gonzalo Pieres. Now, the third-generation polo player’s journey is taking shape with several similarities.

After hearing rumors that he might be selected for the opening on Pilot’s roster (joining Curtis Pilot and Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres), Escobar finally received the anticipated confirmation he had been hoping for in January. Having the chance to watch him play at both the International Polo Club Palm Beach (Wellington, Florida) and Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California), team captain Facundo Pieres is focusing on taking his natural talent and molding it to Pilot’s style of polo. “Lucas’ hand-eye coordination is very good and he can hit any shot,” Pieres commented. “He’s really talented with the ball, he just needs some coaching on how to take the man stronger and create more space. He’s also teachable and can take direction, which is very important for a player his age.”

Practicing with the team almost every other day leading up to the Gauntlet, Lucas is playing a string of top horses from the Ellerstina and Pilot organizations.

Naturally, following Pilot’s stellar 2019 season, there is an expectation riding on the team to perform at or even exceed the level which was set. Learning how to execute Pilot’s winning strategy, Escobar as the new member of the team will have to keep with the pace of an established and fine-tuned organization.

“I think there is a lot of pressure for guys playing at this level for the first time,” Pieres explained. “At this level, it is very competitive and every team wants to win, especially Pilot because we won the Gauntlet last year. I think Lucas will definitely feel the pressure, but we are going to try to help him use that pressure in a positive way. At his age, if a player can channel that pressure positively it’s also good for his future.”

Although he will be competing against his son in the Gauntlet, Santa Clara team captain Luis Escobar is proud of his youngest son’s achievement at such an early stage of his career.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for him to play for Pilot,” Luis Escobar said. “He’s young, but he’s got everything to play in the Gauntlet. It’s a fantastic 17-year-old Lucas Escobar

Lucas Escobar is playing for Pilot with Curtis Pilot, Facundo Pieres and Gonzalo Pieres Jr.

opportunity for him to continue growing and maturing as a player.”

Having a close relationship with his grandson, Francisco Escobar is also looking forward to the opportunity.

“I am very proud of him because he’s not only a good player for his age, but he’s also a good student and son and that’s very important, not only in polo,” Francisco Escobar said.

Lucas is happy to see the fruits of his hard work paying off. “The only advice I have is to stay patient and keep working hard,” Lucas advised those hoping to one day earn a career-changing opportunity. “Just wait for it and the opportunity will come if you do not give up.”

Watch all Gauntlet of Polo games on Global Polo TV. Register at GlobalPolo.com for free access to the livestream. •

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Facundo Pieres coaches Lucas Escobar on and off the field during the Ylvisaker Cup.