U S PA B U L L E T I N
For the first time in over a year, the United States Polo Association assembled in person for the Fall Committee, Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting. The meetings took place at the Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia, Oct. 27-30. Chairman Armstrong welcomed attendees at the chairman’s cocktail reception Wednesday evening to kick off the meetings and events for the week. Thursday and Friday were packed with committee and LLC meetings. Approximately 100 volunteers, staff and guests attended the meetings, and Zoom links were provided to the membership for those unable to attend in person. The annual member meeting took place Friday where club delegates voted on the proposed changes to the constitution. That evening, an awards ceremony co-hosted by the Polo Training Foundation and the USPA was held at the Virginia Polo Center. The board met early Saturday for the board of governors
development of arena polo over the last few years. This year, 97 USPA arena tournaments were awarded. There has been a 42% increase in arena tournaments from 2020 to 2021, and all national arena tournaments have been awarded for 2021 and 2022. The Arena Committee presented on the new programs and series that had been developed. The board approved the new mission statement for the Arena Committee below: The United States Polo Association Arena Committee, as the successor of the Indoor Polo Association, is the primary advocate for arena polo in the United States. Through partners and programs, we develop and enhance national and circuit tournaments and arena leagues nationwide; expand the quantity and quality of national and international arena competition from the low goal to the high goal; and promote player and spectator awareness and engagement through promotion and special events to highlight arena polo as an exciting and competitive sport. Armed Forces Retired Army Maj. Mark. Gillespie, Armed Forces Committee chairman, reported the success of military events played this year, and highlighted the National Arena Commander-in-Chief Cup played at Virginia Polo, Inc. (Charlottesville, Virginia) and the inaugural Allied Services Cup hosted by Texas Military Polo Club, LLC (Poteet, Texas). This year, 31 USPA armed forces events were awarded, including all national armed forces events. A motion was passed to recognize members of the state defense forces in the USPA armed forces framework. These members will now be eligible to serve as a military qualified player in circuit and national armed forces events.
Mary Muldoon makes a presentation on equine emergency preparedness during the Equine Welfare Committee.
meeting. Following the board meeting, guests returned to the Virginia Polo Center to watch the governor’s match followed by an intercollegiate game between the University of Virginia and University of Kentucky men. It was a spectacular week filled with energy, passion and support for the sport. A brief breakdown of the committee meetings can be found below: Arena The Arena Committee highlighted the growth and
6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Audit Tim Kelly, Audit Committee chairman, presented the Audit Committee report and the board approved the report as presented. Board and Staff Development Peter Rizzo, Board and Staff Development Committee chairman, presented a summary of committee accomplishments. The board approved the new mission statement for the BASDC below: The USPA Board and Staff Development Committee provides advice and support to the Association’s Board of Governors, Executive Committee and management, including the COO. The
