Use your head by Peter Rizzo

Use your head

Helmet mandate postponed to January 2021

By Peter Rizzo

At the April USPA board of governors meeting, conducted virtually via Zoom, the board approved a resolution to change the implementation date of new helmet requirements outlined in Outdoor Rule 4 and Arena Rule 3 from June 1 to January 1, 2021. The change in implementation date was necessitated by the deleterious effects the coronavirus pandemic had on helmet manufacturing, in particular, as well as the life-altering effects on the sport of polo and everyone, in general.

You can find complete information from the USPA regarding the upcoming changes to the helmet requirements on the opposite page.

Two helmet manufacturers—Casablanca and Charles Owen—currently have helmets that meet the NOCSAE ND050 Polo Helmet Standard and a number of other helmet manufacturers have plans to submit helmets for testing.

It is important to note that Outdoor Rule 4 and Arena Rule 3 specified that months prior to implementation of the helmet requirements there would be ample supply to meet the demand for the specified helmets.

According to USPA Executive Director of Services Carlucho Arellano, “These are some of the most comfortable helmets I’ve ever worn. I have been riding in the Casablanca Neu for several months, and I am very happy with it. It took me a few days to get used to the magnetic clasp, but now I am friendly with it and feel safer.

“When the Charles Owen Sovereign arrived in stores, I had to go try it on and make my own comparison of the two. It was equally as light and comfortable. They have a very similar fit. It was refreshing to see the Sovereign is made with the original clasp we are all accustomed to. That way, USPA members who are not convinced by the magnetic clasp can choose to go with Sovereign’s traditional clasp.”

While it is uncertain when official USPA polo events will fully resume in the United States, it is certain that at some time in the future we will be playing polo again. It is important to remember riders are encouraged to wear a helmet not only when playing matches or practices, but also when stick and balling and even just riding horses.

The United States Polo Association is monitoring a number of critical factors that will ensure the safe resumption of the sport. It also continues to monitor and encourage the manufacturing and dissemination of helmets that meet the NOCSAE ND050 Polo Helmet Standard.

According to USPA Safety Committee Chairman Dr. Thorkild Norregaard, “There is ample evidence that protective helmets can lessen the impact of a blow to the head from falling off the horse, or being hit by a polo ball or mallet. There is no evidence that wearing a helmet increases the risk of cervical spine injuries. In fact, several large reviews of motorcycle accidents indicate that helmets offer protection against cervical spine injuries. We believe the NOCSAE ND050 Polo Helmet Standard currently offers the best protection for players. When playing, however, players still have to use common sense by avoiding dangerous play.”

Polo players throughout the world have all been affected in some meaningful way by COVID-19. We are all in this together, worldwide, and it is hoped that this challenge will be met with a polo player’s tenacity and bravery. In addition, our world and our sport will have learned a great deal in the value of teamwork—fearlessly working together as a worldwide community to confront and overcome this common adversary. Be as safe as possible as we return to the polo field to enjoy our way of life with our families, friends and horses.

Beginning January 1, 2021, 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 club-level game, league or tournament, will be required to wear helmets that pass the NOCSAE 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 bio engineering, sports safety, and liability. In the fall of 2017, the Safety Committee recommended that 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 January 1, 2021, provided that more than one helmet that meets the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) 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 onsite 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 their review, the Virginia Tech Helmet

lab recommended the NOCSAE ND050 standard above all of the others. To review the findings, please see the following link: uspolo.org/assets/pdf/Virginia-Tech

Polo-Standards.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 January 1, 2021. 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. •