July 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Association News

©David Lominska

Helmets Stay On

Members of the Rules Committee, Safety Committee and USPA Umpires, LLC all agree that players who are mounted should keep their helmets on during the National Anthem and any other pregame or post-game ceremonies.

The helmet rules (Outdoor Rule 4a and Arena Rule 3.a) apply before, during and after any Event. Armed Forces Committee Chair Mark Gillespie has also confirmed that the Defense Authorization Act of 2009 authorizes veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel to render hand salutes during the National Anthem without removing headgear. Players should not remove their helmets for the National Anthem and clubs should make sure their announcers reinforce this rule.

Rule Variances

Outdoor Rule 33

For the reasons explained below, the USPA chairman and Executive Committee have approved a variance to Outdoor Rule 33 requested by the USPA Rules Committee and USPA Umpires, LLC. The variance, which allows the umpires to issue three yellow cards for post-game misconduct, will apply as of Wednesday, May 19, in all polo played under the USPA Outdoor Rules.

Background

USPA Outdoor Rule 33 as currently written provides the umpires with two options for penalizing a player who demonstrates unsportsmanlike conduct after the game ends: (1) issue the player two yellow cards, which requires the player to sit out for the first two minutes of play in his or her next game of equal or higher handicap for the same team with no substitute allowed for those two minutes of play in that game; or (2) issue the player a red card, which suspends the player for the entirety of his or her next game of equal or higher handicap for the same team with no substitute allowed for the first two minutes of play in that game.

USPA umpires have found there are instances of post-game unsportsmanlike conduct which warrant a more severe punishment than two yellow cards but a less severe punishment than a red card. The variance adds the option of three yellow cards which, when issued, require the player to sit out for the first four minutes of play in his or her next game of equal or higher handicap for the same team with no substitute allowed for those four minutes of play in that game.

Outdoor Rules 36 and 37

For the reasons explained below, the USPA chairman and Executive Committee have approved a variance to Outdoor Rules 36 and 37 requested by the USPA Rules Committee. The variance, which allows a player who is off the field during the execution of a defended penalty to return to his or her proper position before or after play is called, will apply as of Wednesday, May 19, in all polo played under the USPA Outdoor Rules.

Background

Players sometimes leave the field to change horses, adjust tack or for some other reason when a penalty shot is being taken. This often requires that player (or players) go to the end of the playing field that is behind the hitter. If any such player on the fouling team steps back on the playing field in a location that is not sufficiently in front of the hitter before the Umpire calls play and the ball is hit or hit at, a procedural violation of current Rules 36 and 37 has occurred and (if they see it) the umpires award the fouled team an increased penalty under Rules 36 and 37. This increased penalty is awarded even though (1) the returning player or players may be as many as 240 yards away from the penalty hitter and the ball, (2) the ball is dead at the time of the violation and (3) the returning player or players have not violated USPA Outdoor Rule 36.d (the “offside” rule). Policing this particular procedural violation is difficult for the umpires because it requires them to divert their attention from the upcoming penalty shot, which should demand substantially all of their focus.

©David Lominska

The outcome discussed above, that results from the way Rules 36 and 37 currently fit together, has divided into two categories those players who return to the playing field from behind the other team before and during the execution of defended penalties: (1) there are those players who are unaware of the way the rules fit together and therefore commit the procedural violation to their surprise; and (2) there are those players who have learned the hard way how the two rules fit together and who therefore avoid the procedural violation by galloping down the sideline in the safety zone before stepping back on the field in the proper position with the rest of his or her teammates.

After a thorough discussion of this situation, the Rules Committee has determined the outcome discussed above, that results from the way Rules 36 and 37 currently fit together, is not desirable. There is no compelling reason to penalize a player for a procedural violation that has no impact on the game itself, especially where the umpires have at their disposal USPA Outdoor Rule 36.d (the “offside” rule) to penalize a player for an actual offside violation. And there is also no good reason for the rules to promote the potentially dangerous situation caused by players galloping fresh horses down the sidelines outside the field in the safety zone in front of the spectators. For that reason, the Rules Committee has requested, and the chairman and Executive Committee have approved, a variance allowing a player who is off the field during the execution of a defended penalty to return to his or her proper position before or after play is called, as long as that player returns unobtrusively by a route that is on the field and no closer than 30 yards from the spot where the ball is placed for the penalty shot. When the ball is hit or hit at, any such player who has not reached his or her proper position may not make a play until he or she has passed a teammate who was properly positioned at that time.

New High School Awards

USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, presented by U.S. Polo Assn., is expanding to announce the nation’s top athletes in 25 sports in a first-of-its-kind national awards show at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 5.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards program operates as a multi-month high school student athlete recognition program in 53 regions and all 50 states. Top athletes in each area are recognized in most state-sanctioned sports, as well as honors for coach of the year, team of the year, and male and female athletes of the year. The regional honorees and winners will be revealed the last week of June and state winners will be announced Thursday, July 15.

The athlete designated as the statewide winner in the sports recognized nationally will go on to receive recognition in the inaugural USA TODAY High School Sports Awards show, which recently partnered with the U.S. Polo Assn., in an effort to honor thousands of students across the country. U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association.

“It’s an honor for U.S. Polo Assn. to be the presenting sponsor for this outstanding event that supports and highlights high school sports throughout the U.S.,” said J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, the worldwide licensor of the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “U.S. Polo Assn. is an authentic, sport-inspired, global brand, so it is the perfect match to partner with USA TODAY to give back to these exceptional student athletes. We are also thrilled to introduce the amazing sport of polo to this year’s roster of awards and expose the sport to a new audience through our partnership.”

As part of the partnership, the show will unveil a new award for the country’s top male and female athletes in the sport of polo.

“We love the connection of the brand and the sport and welcome the opportunity to support philanthropic causes such as the High School Sports Awards,” Prince said.

Viewers also will see elite high school athletes, coaches and teams that were named the state winners in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, tennis, volleyball and wrestling. Honorees have the opportunity to be selected as the nation’s top male and female athletes in each sport. The national broadcast will showcase stories and highlights of their stellar performances from the past year.

The USA TODAY High School Sports awards show features top professional athletes who will share their own stories, words of advice and recognition, all in celebration of young adults who have shown dedication and excellence in their athletic pursuits.

Athletes who are selected as winners for each state, announced by Thursday, July 15 on each state’s sports awards website, will be invited to register for the national show. The on-demand awards show will debut 8 p.m. ET on Friday, August 5, at USA TODAY, USA TODAY News and USA TODAY Sportswire channels, available on Amazon Fire TV, the Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus and most Smart TVs. It will also be available on Amazon Prime Video Direct and at SportsAwards.USATODAY.com.

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

National Interscholastic Champions

Congratulations to Gardnertown Polo Club (Open) and Aiken Youth Polo (Girls) for National Interscholastic Championship wins. Gardnertown took on a strong Houston team in the final before pulling away, while Aiken showed its skill against a talented young Maryland team. Thank you to championship hosts Virginia Polo Center and New Bridge Polo Club. Championship games are available on Global Polo.

Alumni Event

A big thank you to Seneca Polo Club (Potomac, Maryland) for hosting the pilot I/I networking event. We loved seeing alumni of all ages in the Washington D.C. area come together for a night of polo and mingling. If your club is interested in reaching out to I/I alumni in your area please contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org to learn more.

Middle School League

USPA’s I/I Middle School League is open for business! Middle School tournaments can now be hosted year round by USPA clubs. The Middle School League is open to all players grades 5-8. Parents of interested students can check out the Middle School page at uspolo.org or email Emily Dewey at edewey@uspolo.org for more information.

Polo Alumni Network

Are you interested in connecting with teammates and mentors from your past collegiate polo days? Maybe you are looking to donate a pony to a collegiate team? Or perhaps you are graduating and looking for internship opportunities at clubs across the country? You can do all that and so much more by connecting with polo alumni near you!

The USPA I/I Program’s Club & Sustainability Alumni Engagement Committee has been working on several projects to help polo alumni connect with members and clubs across the country. The first initiative is the Polo Alumni Network, a LinkedIn page for polo alum and current players to network and build their connections in the industry.

Join the page and invite teammates and friends to join! Go to LinkedIn.com and search Polo Alumni Network.

Fundraising

It is never too early to get a head start on planning for your back-to-school fundraisers. The I/I Funding & Awards Committee has been building out the fundraising program to help teams receive more bang for their buck! Moving forward, there will be a twotier system allowing you to apply for up to $2000 in fundraising reimbursement. The updated program offers staff and committee support during the planning process and opportunities to increase revenue.

To learn more check out the new guidelines and 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 program please contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

I/I Photos

The I/I program is collecting both past and present I/I photos. If you have any photos you would like to share, email Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org. Photos may be used on social media and must portray safe riding and horse handling practices.

NYTS

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

The NYTS Qualifier season continues through August 1. Recent qualifiers at Prestonwood Polo Club (Little Elm, Texas) and Cerro Pampa Polo Club (Petaluma, California) marked the beginning of a busy month of June. NYTS tournament all-stars are selected based on horsemanship, sportsmanship, playing ability at current handicap and ability to play as a member of the team. Prestonwood all-stars included James JB long, Winnie Branscum, Trenton Werntz and Francesca Felhaber. Cerro Pampa recognized Morgan Manos, Ajay Moturi, Ruby Decker, Marco Esposto and Helena Bache.