December 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Association News

Members of the USPA Board of Governors got together in Charlottesville, Virginia, for the fall meetings.

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 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.

Mary Muldoon makes a presentation on equine emergency preparedness during the Equine Welfare Committee.

A brief breakdown of the committee meetings can be found below:

Arena

The Arena Committee highlighted the growth and 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.

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 BASDC will offer recommendations or endorsements relating to the consistent use of generally accepted best corporate practices, policies and procedures. BASDC’s primary advisory purpose includes review Board approved HR policies and procedures; ongoing Staff professional development and succession; and Organizational Charts. When requested by Board or Staff leadership, the BASDC will provide feedback and recommendations regarding Board and Staff matters, questions, concerns and opportunities.

Club and Membership Administration

Steve Armour, Club and Membership Administration Committee chairman, presented a report noting eight new approved clubs in 2021 and five terminated clubs due to inability to meet membership requirements. A brief discussion was held on the proposed change from “social nonplaying” membership to “non-competing” membership, which will include insurance. The board approved a pro-rated half-price membership starting this year to any first-time members joining after Sept. 1 each year. The committee spent the remainder of the meeting discussing plans for proposed circuit realignment. A discussion was held about putting a plan in place to evaluate circuits more regularly, including quantifiable reasons for realignment, in the future.

Constitution

The Constitution Committee met and discussed the proposed changes to the governing documents. The delegates approved all proposed changes to the constitution at the annual member meeting. The board approved the presented changes to the by-laws. Summaries of the constitution and by-law changes can be found at uspolo.org. The board also approved the president of services revised job description along with administrative updates to the Disciplinary Procedures Policy.

Equine Welfare

Mike Manno, Equine Welfare Committee chairman, provided a brief overview of the proposed Equine Drugs and Medications Rules. The committee meeting included three presentations. Mary Muldoon presented a very informative PowerPoint on equine emergency preparedness called “When the Stuff Hits the Fan, Have a Plan!” Lindsay Dolan made a presentation on horse body conditioning scores with example photos for each score, including appearing and disappearing saddles and girths to demonstrate how horses often look different with tack on. Finally, Neil Agate provided a great overview of the Retired Racehorse Project.

Finance

The Meketa Investment Group discussed the portfolio and the overall performance to date. The board approved the 2022 budget as presented.

High-Goal

The board approved the recommended changes to the High-Goal Committee policy, which will be available to view in the 2022 rulebook.

Rules

The board approved changes to the outdoor rules, arena rules and tournament conditions. The summary of the outdoor rule changes can be found on uspolo.org.

Safety

An update was made on the status of helmets that pass the NOCSAE standard. To date there are three helmets that pass the standard: Casablanca, Charles Owen and Instinct. A report was made on the 2020 Injury Reporting survey, which was answered by 49 members. The results provided a number of demographical and statistical information regarding injuries in the sport. It was suggested that the committee re-open discussion on an Inclement Weather Policy to provide clubs with information regarding when to postpone games. Another suggestion was made about looking into when a player should return to play after a head injury. A recommendation was made for the committee to investigate policies in other sports.

Tournament

The Tournament Committee and board approved three national tournament applications for 2022. The National Arena Amateur Cup was awarded to Legends Polo Club (Kaufman, Texas). The National Arena Challenge Cup was awarded to Orange County Polo Club (Silverado, California). The Monty Waterbury® was awarded to Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida). The Tournament Committee approved an adjustment in the goal level for the America® and Silver® Cups to be played at the 14- to 18- goal level for 2022. The Tournament Committee and the board approved revisions to the Tournament Stimulus Program. The full new policy may be viewed on uspolo.org. Adjustments to the Prize Money Matching Program were also approved and may be seen on uspolo.org.

Women’s

The USPA Women’s Committee announced that nominations for this year’s Louise Hitchcock Woman of the Year Award are open to the entire membership. Nominations close Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. The committee also discussed the possibility of adding a minus-1 handicap to the women’s handicap scale with limitations. The committee will discuss this topic in more detail during the next meeting. It was also reported that 45 USPA women’s events were awarded this year.

Umpires, LLC

The USPA Umpires, LLC made a presentation and gave a report on the initiatives, use of technology, the areas of focus and the plans for the future. The Umpires, LLC highlighted the success of the Tournament Stimulus Program and discussed the growth and development they have witnessed in arena polo.

Polo Development, LLC

The Polo Development, LLC staff and committee chairs prepared a presentation deck highlighting their efforts in Intercollegiate/Interscholastic polo, Team USPA, Junior Polo, and the Polo Development Initiative. Over the past three to four years, various programs that make up Polo Development went through strategic planning iterations. The presentation looked at the impact of those changes on the polo community and discussed the next steps for Polo Development. Highlights included: the launch of Division 1 and Division 2 tournament levels for intercollegiate polo; the addition of a full, four-team female division at NYTS Championships; various Team USPA members and alumni participating in fall training in Argentina, including four playing in the Cámara de Diputados; and almost $4 million worth of club infrastructure projects from 2019-2021 partially supported by the PDI program.

New Business

Chairman Stewart Armstrong recognized Erica Gandomcar-Sachs, Tony Yayhai, Bob McMurtry, Trey Schott and David Ragland for their valuable contributions as circuit governors and thanked them for their volunteer work.

Armstrong welcomed Jorge Vasquez (Midstates Circuit) and Mike Carney (Great Plains Circuit) as new circuit governors.

The board approved the appointment of Erica Gandomcar-Sachs and Bob McMurtry to fill the two governor-at-large vacancies. The board approved Clifton Yandell to fill the vacancy for the Central Circuit governor. Tony Coppola was reappointed as president of Services.

The board approved a new Executive Committee to consist of: Chairman Stewart Armstrong, President Tony Coppola, Secretary Charles Smith, Treasurer Steve Ruldolph, and Paul Jornayvaz, Steve Orthwein, Chrys Beal, Daniel Walker, Tom Gose, and Mike Carney as ex-officio members.

The board appointed a new Nominating Committee in accordance with the constitution.

All of the committee chairs and LLC committee chairs were reappointed.

PTF/ USPA Awards Ceremony

Chairman Stewart Armstrong welcomed attendees at the chairman’s cocktail reception.

On Friday evening, the USPA and PTF jointly hosted their annual awards ceremony, emceed by Tony Coppola. The event took place at the Virginia Polo Center—Beh House. Gordon Burrows, former UVA president, welcomed the group. Awards followed as shown below:

Clint Nagle Award: Dr. Mike Manno, far right, presented the award to Peter Rizzo, second from left. With them is Lindsey Dolan and emcee Tony Coppola.

General Patton Award: Mark Gillespie presented the award to Dan Keating.

Intercollegiate PTF Award: Daniel Walker presented the award to Charlie Walker (not shown), who accepted the award virtually.

Louise Hitchcock Woman of the Year: Cecelia Cochran presented the award to Erica Gandomcar-Sachs.

Lynn Thompson Interscholastic PTF Award: Emily Dewey presented the award to Sophie Grant.

Rob Rinehart and Nancy Schlichting made a special presentation to Richard Riemenschneider (not show) with the Virginia Polo Cavalier Award.

Tom Huges Award: Fergus Gould presented the award to Tom Gose.

Polo Development Initiative

The Polo Development Initiative grant program is designed to facilitate the sustainability of polo by empowering clubs and polo schools with grant-based reimbursable awards. The success of the sport depends on the success of its clubs.

The intent of the PDI Grant Program, which is a reimbursable grant-based program, is to support thoughtfully presented applications for PDI funding that address specific, club-based, sustainability needs. Grant awards will be made in support of a specific purpose that addresses those needs, including, but not limited to:

• Advancing the sustainability and growth of club membership, taking into consideration club capacity and the available polo facilities.

• Improving the quality of the polo-playing experience.

• Promoting the development of the sport of polo. The 2022 PDI application process is open until

Jan. 31, 2022. For guidelines or to apply, visit the Polo Development Initiative page on uspolo.org.

I/I Deadlines

Membership renewals for intercollegiate and interscholastic teams are due Jan 1.

USPA membership renewals are due Jan. 1 for intercollegiate teams. All other eligibility paperwork and your final score sheets are due on Feb. 1.

All eligibility paperwork, as well as the tournament entry fees, are due Dec. 8 for interscholastic teams. USPA membership renewals are due Jan. 1. Two regular season qualifying game score sheets are due on Jan. 5.

Please contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org with any questions.

Middle School Tournaments

Do you have a group of youth players from fifth through eighth grade? If so, sign up now to host a middle school tournament at your club! Middle School Tournaments are now happening year round, so your club can choose the season that works best

for it. Contact Emily Dewey at edewey@uspolo.org for information or to secure your tournament date.

Players and parents: middle school tournaments are being added to the website as they are scheduled, so please check out our current list on the intercollegiate/interscholastic pages at uspolo.org to find one close to you!

I/I Fundraising Program

Is your I/I club planning on hosting a fundraiser this year? If so, make sure to check out the updated Fundraising Program. The Fundraising Program now consists of a two-tier system that allows you to apply for up to $2,000 in fundraising reimbursement. Additionally, the program offers staff and committee support during the planning process and the opportunity to increase your revenue.

To learn more about the program please check out the new guidelines and the evolving ideas document at uspolo.org. Please note the fundraising deadline is rolling and open to both interscholastic and intercollegiate teams. If you have any questions about the fundraising program please contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

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 Operating Officer: Chris Green