Association News

Texas Arena League

The fourth year of the Texas Arena League is already underway with the first event held at Legends Polo Club (Kaufman, Texas) Jan. 29-31. Texas Arena League includes four different events played at three different locations around the Lone Star State. Teams and individuals compete for points toward the End of League Awards and the coveted TAL belt buckles.

“TAL has grown exponentially since its inaugural year in 2018,” said TAL organizer Megan Flynn. “In 2021, we will have to cap the number of teams in each flight. It’s only the amount of hours in a day that’s limiting the league.”

All games count toward TAL points for both teams and individual players. At the end of the league, the points are tallied and the winners are announced. Players also receive points for the National Arena Amateur Cup when playing in USPA arena tournaments during the league.

“In addition to the points-based awards (winners, high-point individual, Most Valuable Player, Best Playing Pony, etc.), TAL has awards that are voted on by players and even fans,” said another TAL organizer Brady Williams.

Texas Arena League will play its regular 0- to 3goal and 3- to 6-goal divisions on Saturdays and Sundays respectively. In 2020, the C-Flight was introduced for new and beginner players, and it will be held on Fridays this season. Also, a 6- to 9goal flight will be played on Friday evenings.

“With the success of Texas Arena League and the Pacific Coast Arena League—the precursor to TAL—more and more regions are looking to arena leagues as a great way to grow the sport and create a shoulder season of fun, competitive polo,” said Arena Committee Chair Robin Sanchez. “Arena polo is on the rise all over the country.”

Players can join for one event or travel to all four. All locations have boarding and lease horses available from multiple providers. For more information on Texas Arena League, go to www.texasarenaleague.com where you can read about the TAL format and fill out an entry form. You can also follow Texas Arena League on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Upcoming Dates and Locations: Feb. 12-14: Two Wishes Polo Club Lockhart, Texas Feb. 26-28: Legend’s Polo Club Kaufman, Texas March 19-21: Brookshire Polo Club Brookshire, Texas

The Texas Arena League is now underway.

NOCSAE ND050 Mandate

As of Jan. 1, 2021, all players in any USPA Event or Club Event (does not include practices, lessons or grooms) are required to wear a helmet that passes the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification. Qualifying helmets will have the SEI/NOCSAE logo attached to the outside of the helmet and the logo should not be removed. Before the throw-in, umpires will line up the players and do a quick helmet check. If a player plays any part of a game without a NOCSAE ND050 helmet, the team automatically forfeits the game. If helmets are switched at halftime it is the player’s responsibility to ride over to the umpire who will check that it is NOCSAE approved. Check uspolo.org for an updated list of helmets on the market that meet the standard. Please contact USPA Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan at ldolan@uspolo.org if you have any questions.

Global Polo TV

The mission of the United States Polo Association is to promote the game of polo, and what better way to do so than to live-stream the best games via a television platform like Global Polo TV? After nearly seven years of live-streaming games with ChukkerTV and producing global broadcasts, the association together with Global Polo Entertainment is continuing to grow. The goals for the new platform are to build one premier destination for polo and showcase the best USPA polo tournaments in the United States.

Sustainability of the sport is dependent upon building public awareness and educating the sportsminded consumer about the game, players, horses and the lifestyle. In 2019, the USPA and GPE developed a pinnacle event called the Gauntlet of Polo by combining the C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship, offering $1 million in prize money. Team entries rose from six in 2018 to 16 in 2019 and 14 in 2020. The execution and promotion of the Gauntlet of Polo proved to be hugely successful, creating a venue in which players and team owners wanted to compete.

In 2021, the USPA and Global Polo TV will continue to provide year-round content and live games for free to USPA current and lifetime members. To receive your free Premium Polo Pass membership to Global Polo TV, you must first pay your USPA membership dues in full and then you’ll receive access to the library of content, short films and live games. Additionally, USPA social members will also receive the Polo Pass complimentary.

If you currently have the Polo Pass and want to watch the Gauntlet of Polo beginning Wednesday, Feb. 17, you can upgrade at any time to the Premium Polo Pass (all live-streamed games) or the Gauntlet of Polo Pass (all Gauntlet of Polo tournament games). Head to GlobalPolo.com/products to learn more about each of the pass options and make changes to your existing subscription.

The subscription model consists of three packages:

• The Polo Pass includes games for more than 18 live tournaments (excluding the Gauntlet of Polo) for an annual fee of $49.99 (a $75.00 value). • The Gauntlet of Polo Pass includes all three

Gauntlet of Polo tournament series games (C.V.

Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open

Polo Championship) for an annual fee of $125.00 (a $150.00 value). • The Premium Polo Pass includes all live-streamed games of the Polo Pass and the Gauntlet of Polo

Pass for a discounted fee of $175 (a $225.00 value).

Rulebook Now Available

The 2021 Rulebook is available on uspolo.org by navigating to the ‘Association’ tab and ‘Bookshelf’. You can also view summaries of the 2021 outdoor and arena rule changes under Key Revisions for 2021 Rulebook. You may also download the full 2021 Rulebook by navigating to the ‘Sport’ tab and ‘Rules’ page. All USPA members receive a copy of the Rulebook as part of their member benefits.

Membership Renewal

It’s not too late to renew your USPA membership for 2021 and activate your member benefits. In addition to continued benefits, such as ‘This Week In Polo,’ Polo Players’ Edition, savings on nationally known products, a 25% discount on U.S. Polo Assn. clothing and more, the 2021 membership includes the Premium Polo Pass free for playing and lifetime members. Social members will receive the Polo Pass with a paid membership. The fastest and most efficient way to renew your membership is through the USPA website (www.uspolo.org). When renewing, please ensure your contact information, including your email and mailing address, is current. If you require a paper renewal, please send a request to membership@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 Executive Officer: Robert Puetz Frequently asked member questions:

Why can’t I pay my membership by phone?

The USPA requires every member to accept the “Terms and Conditions.” This can be done quickly by logging onto the member portal on uspolo.org or by mailing in the completed membership renewal forms.

Why can’t two members use the same email?

Our membership database uses e-mail addresses as a unique identifier. All information, such as handicap, member status and club affiliation, is tied to an email address and cannot be used for another member.

How do I obtain a handicap?

To obtain a USPA handicap, the club delegate at the club with which you are affiliated must send a recommendation via email to handicaps@uspolo.org. This recommendation is then sent to the circuit handicap chairman and national handicap chairman for approval.

How long does it take to obtain a handicap?

A handicap takes up to two weeks to be obtained. If you plan on playing in a USPA tournament, please make sure to allow sufficient time to receive a confirmed handicap.

National Youth Tournament Series

The NYTS season officially begins March 1. Clubs interested in hosting an NYTS tournament, contact NYTS@uspolo.org to discuss scheduling and available dates. USPA members in good standing born after 1/1/2002 with a minimum of a -1goal handicap are eligible to participate.

For more information and to view the latest schedule, please visit uspolo.org.

Intercollegiate/Interscholastic

Deadlines

A quick reminder that all I/I teams must secure a string of horses for tournament play. Tournaments will be played from early February to midApril. Intercollegiate academic paperwork, coaching requirements and entry fees are due Jan. 15. Interscholastic paperwork, coaching requirements, and tournament entry fees are due Jan. 5. Make sure to renew your USPA player memberships for 2021 before participating in any games.

If you need assistance completing the paperwork by the deadlines, please contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

Schedule

The Intercollegiate/Interscholastic tournament schedule is posted on the I/I program pages on uspolo.org. Click on the respective program for a full list of tournaments near you. Please note, tournaments may change depending on state and local guidelines.

Varsity Letter

If you are an interscholastic player who competed in the I/I tournament season this year, along with completing 100 hours in the saddle, participating in four I/I games, and staying 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. 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 a fundraiser to support their I/I team. If you are interested in applying for a reimbursement grant, please visit the I/I webpage on uspolo.org for more details.

For more information on the I/I fundraising program, please contact I/I Program Coordinator Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org. •

Do you compete in the I/I tournament season? Have you completed 100 hours in the saddle? Have you competed in four I/I games? Are you in good academic standing? You may be eligible for an Interscholastic Varsity Letter.