Association News

LOMINSKA / POLOGRAPHICS .COM DAVID

Membership Benefits

As a USPA member, you may be unaware of the many benefits available. The following is a list of what you receive when you join the USPA: •USPA member card and decal •Subscription to Global Polo TV •Subscription to “This Week in Polo” weekly enewsletter •Subscription to Polo Players’ Edition magazine •USPA Rulebook and Blue Book •Personal excess liability insurance •Accident and excess medical insurance •Discounts on U.S. Polo Assn. and Nantucket Whaler clothing •Discounts through NTRA Advantage from John Deere, Sherwin Williams, Office Depot and Big Ass Fans •Discounts from Legacy Building Solutions, Daktronics, TentCraft, Sterling Cut Class and Prize Possessions

Questions about member benefits? Email Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan at ldolan@uspolo.org.

Equine Welfare Tip Line

The USPA would like to make members aware of the anonymous tip line for reporting equine abuse and neglect. The Equine Welfare Committee encourages anyone making a report to first reach out to local authorities, such as animal control or the police, to report the issue. If you would like to also report to the USPA, please provide as much detail as possible on the voicemail. Be sure to include the city and state the horses are located in; the name of the person responsible for them, if known; how many horses are involved; and any information you think is pertinent.

If you are willing to be contacted for additional information, you may leave your name and phone number, which will be kept confidential. The anonymous tip line number is (866) 563-5534. Reporting forms can also be found online at uspolo.org and may be sent by email to equinewelfare@uspolo.org.

COVID-19 Relief Package

Intercollegiate Equine Welfare Relief Program

As the country continues to face the COVID-19 global pandemic, there are likely to be horses within the USPA intercollegiate community that require distress relief. USPA members at intercollegiate clubs that struggle to maintain proper upkeep of their horses and have fallen into desperate need of assistance will be able to apply for help through the Intercollegiate Equine Welfare Relief Program in order to provide their horses proper nutrition.

Program Overview: •USPA to provide funding for the feeding of horses owned by intercollegiate polo provided there is proof the USPA member and/or their horses are in distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. •USPA Intercollegiate Equine Relief Program Subcommittee may use a variety of resources to

determine if there is a true necessity, which may include member’s or club’s most recent bank statement, feed bill, the Henneke Body Condition Score, other player member’s references, or a veterinarian’s note.

Please Note: This program is not intended for individuals seeking financial support feeding their personal horses. This is designed for USPA Intercollegiate Program horses participating in intercollegiate polo.

Criteria: • Intercollegiate Equine Welfare Relief Program applicant must be a USPA member or an active or provisional member club in good standing. • Intercollegiate Equine Welfare Relief Program request must be for horses that are owned by the intercollegiate polo team within the last year. • Priority will go to programs who are student run and where the horses are not used for other programs (i.e. interscholastic teams, club events).

To take advantage of the USPA COVID-19 Intercollegiate Equine Welfare Relief Program complete an application on uspolo.org.

Tournament Stimulus Package

As the country continues to emerge out of the COVID-19 crisis, it is important for USPA member clubs to continue playing polo and hosting USPA tournaments and events. These events help support the club’s activity as well as provide opportunities to support the polo community. The board recognized the need to continue to support clubs during these times and approved the extension of the USPA Polo Tournament Stimulus Package through 2021.

Eligibility & Criteria • Available for USPA member clubs for two USPA tournaments held in 2021 at each club.

Tournaments eligible under the COVID-19 USPA Tournament Stimulus Package include: • All USPA outdoor events (circuit, national, reoccurring annual sanctioned, National Youth Tournament Series) with an upper handicap limit of 12 goals or below. • All USPA arena events (circuit, national, reoccurring annual sanctioned) • Tournaments must have a minimum of four teams competing in order to be eligible. Team rosters to be verified two weeks prior to securing TSP benefits. • Clubs that have only one USPA tournament scheduled are eligible to participate in TSP, and if they wish to take full advantage of the TSP, they may apply for an additional circuit or national (pending availability) tournament through the normal approval process (i.e. circuit governor approval for circuit events and Tournament Committee/board approval for national events). • Clubs that currently have not been awarded a USPA tournament and wish to take advantage of the TSP may apply for circuit or national (pending availability) tournaments through the normal approval process (i.e. circuit governor approval for circuit events and Tournament Committee/ board

approval for national events). • Clubs hosting new USPA-sanctioned tournaments and/or USPA national and/or circuit tournaments in addition to their TSP-qualified tournaments may do so subject to normal applicable USPA fees and benefits. • USPA reserves the right to reschedule any tournament. • Umpires are subject to availability. • USPA prize money may not be used for other tournament or club expenses or for subjective awards, including, but not limited to, Best Playing Pony or Most Valuable Player. • Clubs participating in the matching prize money program are not eligible for TSP.

For two eligible USPA tournaments held at the USPA member club the COVID-19 USPA Polo Tournament Stimulus Package includes: •Tournament fees waived: for USPA national, circuit or currently approved sanctioned tournaments. •Trophies: Clubs will either be provided trophies by the USPA (i.e., all National Youth Tournament Series events and select national events) or they will be reimbursed up to $500 for circuit and sanctioned tournaments and up to $1,200 for national tournaments

•Umpires: USPA will provide one professional umpire for the two tournaments (up to 10 consecutive days per tournament) at no cost to the club. •Prize Money: $2,500 in prize money per tournament, no match required. All prize money must be awarded to the winning teams participating in the tournament upon completion of the event.

To take advantage of the COVID-19 USPA Polo Tournament Stimulus Package, complete the application form found on uspolo.org.

Women’s East Coast Open & Handicap

Westchester Polo Club is pleased to announce registration has opened for the 3rd annual East Coast Open (14 to 20 goals) and East Coast Handicap (8 to 12 goals) Women’s Polo Championships from July 27 to Aug. 1. Each tournament will offer $2,500 in prize money with the semifinal rounds of both tournaments hosted by Myopia Polo Club (South Hamilton, Massachusetts) and the finals by Westchester Polo Club (Newport, Rhode Island).

Finalist prizes, Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony recognition will be awarded in each tournament. Each tournament will feature top level teams competing for the prestigious Sunny Hale and Anne Hutchinson silver trophies. The first four teams in each tournament to register by Thursday, June 24, will receive official team jerseys sponsored by USPA Global Licensing Inc.

The tournament registration deadline is Monday, July 19, at 5 p.m. ET or sooner if the team limit is reached. Entry form, requirements, schedule, tournament fees and details can be found at nptpolo.com. Players seeking to connect with other players to form a team are encouraged contact Agnes Keating at agnes@nptpolo.com or (401) 8477090 for more information.

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

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 go to the interscholastic page on uspolo.org or contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

In the event a team is not able to complete the regular season games requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students may apply for a varsity letter waiver. Submit waivers via your coach directly through email to I/I staff explaining the hardship. I/I staff will review and send to the committee for final approval.

Scholarship Program

Are you planning to play on an intercollegiate polo team next season? Six $4,000 scholarships are available through the USPA Intercollegiate Scholarship Program. Requirements can be found on uspolo.org. Applications will open in April. Contact Amy Fraser at afraser@uspolo.org for more details.

Challenge Cup Circuit Winners

Congratulations to the following teams for their wins at their respective I/I Challenge Cup tournaments:

Northeastern Circuit—Tinicum Park (Erwinna, Pennsylvania)

Central Circuit—Houston Open (Houston, Texas)

Central Circuit—Houston Girls (Houston, Texas)

Southeastern Circuit—Aiken Girls (Aiken, South Carolina)

Eastern Circuit—Marlan Farms (Freeland, Maryland)

Northeastern Circuit—Myopia (South Hamilton, Massachusetts)

Pacific Coast Circuit—South Bay (Gilroy, California) Pacific Coast Circuit—Orange County (Silverado, California) Northeastern Circuit—Gardnertown Open (Gardnertown, New York) Northeastern Circuit—Gardnertown Girls (Gardnertown, New York)

Good luck to all of the teams competing in the upcoming I/I Challenge Cup events!

Virtual Tournament Regional Winners

Congratulations to the regional winners for the USPA Virtual Tournament of Champions: Skidmore College, University of South Carolina-Aiken, Oklahoma State University and Oregon State University. Regional winners will be joined by wildcards University of Virginia and Montana State University at the national tournament.

National Interscholastic Rescheduled

The Open and Girls National Interscholastic Championships have been rescheduled.

The Open National Interscholastic Championship will be played May 12-16 at the Virginia Polo Center located in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship will be played May 18-23 at New Bridge Polo Club located in Aiken, South Carolina.

Participating teams will be announced at a later date.

NYTS Qualifiers

The National Youth Tournament Series season is off to a great start. The NYTS Qualifier schedule is available on uspolo.org and is updated regularly. Players interested in participating in an NYTS tournament, please contact the club directly.

Players born after 1/1/2002 with a minimum minus-1-goal handicap are eligible to participate.

USPA clubs in good standing are welcome to host an NYTS Qualifier. Clubs interested in hosting a tournament, please email NYTS@uspolo.org.

The Painted Polo Horse

Dawn Jones’ Pretty Bird Woman

by United States Polo Association

Pretty Bird Woman

A vision on the polo field with her flowing mane whipping in the wind, Pretty Bird Woman’s (Treasured Too x Truly Miss Kirk) tobiano coat instantly conjures up images of the wild painted ponies of the American West, standing out in every sense. Born on the hallowed grounds of the Battle of the Little Bighorn at the base of the Little Big Horn River, Pretty Bird Woman was discovered—much like a living historical relic—by Dawn Jones on invitation from Chuck Real Bird of the Crow Indian Nation.

Captivated by her beauty, loving personality and the history of her Native American heritage, Dawn and husband Tommy Lee Jones have owned Pretty Bird Woman for almost 17 years with the mare just celebrating her 21st birthday. Resolute and fearless in all her endeavors from the high-goal field to the Hollywood movie set, Pretty Bird Woman carries within her the spirit of her namesake, Chuck Real Bird’s late sister.

Complimented for possessing a speed and bump, which has often caught others off guard, Pretty Bird Woman’s journey from the battlefield to the polo field was a natural progression. Sired by the World Champion Paint running horse and a descendant of the famous Quarter Horse Easy Jet, Pretty Bird Woman has received her own recognition by the American Paint Horse Association for outstanding running ability. Entrusted to other players, including 8-goaler Sarah Wiseman in the 2018 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship and Danielle Lussi in the 2020 Texas Women’s Open, Pretty Bird Woman once again took the field for Lussi’s U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship debut with Polo Gear Coffee Company.

Bonding with the mare over the course of her three-year intercollegiate career (2012-2014), Lussi met and learned to play polo on Pretty Bird Woman during Harvard Polo clinics hosted annually by Tommy, a university alum, at his San Saba ranch in Texas. Giving to the sport in every capacity, Pretty Bird Woman’s unexpected offspring T-Bird is among the horses, which have been donated by the Jones’ to the men’s and women’s Harvard polo teams. Playing together in Florida, Argentina and Texas over the years, Lussi and Pretty Bird Woman reunited for this year’s U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship, competing at the highest level of women’s polo before the mare’s retirement.

How did the mare get her name?

Shawn Real Bird: She was named after my father, Chuck Real Bird’s oldest sister Martha Real

Bird—Little Light. My Aunt Martha’s Crow Indian name was Pretty Bird Woman. In the Crow culture when a deceased relative’s name is bestowed to a descendant this individual will receive good fortune, luck, wisdom and prosperity. This cultural tradition was transcended to the naming of the mare Pretty Bird Woman and because of this name she has had good fortune, luck, wisdom and prosperity in the racing industry.

How did you come to own the mare?

Dawn: Tommy Wayman invited my husband to participate as a judge in the World Championship Indian Relay Race at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and there we met Chuck Real Bird, who was an organizer. Shortly after attending the event, Chuck Real Bird invited us to go on a trail ride from the infamous Crow’s Nest to the site of the Battle of Little Bighorn in Montana. We took our time and arrived to Chuck’s home by dark, never seeing the battlefield in daylight. Chuck invited me to return anytime to visit his home and see the battle site and I promptly accepted. When I returned, I met Pretty Bird Woman and her equine family who had been bred and raised by the Real Birds like family members. I was really astonished at how loving, sweet and beautiful the horses were. Pretty Bird Woman had great confirmation, a short back and a stocky hind end, which I really liked.

I came home and I couldn’t wait to tell my husband how excited I was about Pretty Bird Woman and Miss Red Earth, two of the mares I had seen. I told him I really wanted to take another look and I thought one of them might be a good polo horse. Tommy suggested I take Victoria ‘Tori,’ my stepdaughter. I rode a couple of the horses and I really liked the way Pretty Bird Woman moved. She was just as calm as could be and she wasn’t afraid of anything. I called my husband and said I wanted this horse and Tori wanted her too, and because he can’t say no to his daughter, it worked out really well.

What are her greatest strengths on the field?

Dawn: She’s like having a tool in the toolbox for a specific purpose. She’s really good at marking and she likes it. She’s so flexible, she just turns inside of herself. You better have your butt screwed down on that horse when you take a turn because she will do it. She actually likes to bump on plays and sometimes that gets me into trouble because I have to ride her out of it. When you ask her for her seventh gear, it’s pretty damn fast so be prepared. She also stops really well, is very handy, powerful, and she certainly has a big heart.

Danielle: Now that I’ve improved as a player, it’s amazing to be able to keep up with Pretty Bird Woman a bit more instead of letting her just lead the way. As soon as I get on her I feel so much more confident because I know that we can turn as fast as everyone else, if not faster. Her anticipation is incredible, so if you’re also thinking that fast then it really is so fun because you know you can compete with everyone else on the field.

Pretty Bird Woman was the horse you fought for during clinics. You knew you could win every bump and you wouldn’t even have to ask her. She knew what she had to do, and she’d just take you to the play.

WROE KAYLEE

Dawn Jones relied on Pretty Bird Woman in the 2019 Texas Women’s Open.

Danielle Lussi played Pretty Bird Woman in this year’s U.S. Open Women’s Championship.

LOMINSKA / POLOGRAPHICS .COM DAVID

When do you bring Pretty Bird Woman onto the polo field?

Dawn: She’s mostly used to mark other players and that’s her purpose. If I had to mark Nina Clarkin I think I’d probably use Pretty Bird Woman just because I’m confident with her and I know she can stop on a dime, turn instantly and maybe even get to the spot sooner. On Pretty Bird Woman I could delay my opponent for a split second to give my team a little extra time to regroup or get the ball. Her mission on the field is to neutralize good players for a brief moment and just try to whittle away a little bit of time for her team—a split second here, a split second there.

Why do you keep her mane long?

Dawn: That was a rule that was made by Victoria on Day One because Pretty Bird Woman is a Crow Indian horse—and her mane will never be clipped. Victoria was 12 or 13 years old when we got Pretty Bird Woman and we’ve honored her rule and desire and we kind of liked the idea too. According to folklore, Crazy Horse was apparently riding a paint in

the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which I find intriguing. That’s meaningful for me because it hearkens to the past. If Crazy Horse had confidence on a paint during battle that says plenty.

Was there a specific moment when you knew Pretty Bird Woman would end up in your string?

Dawn: It took a few years and we just took our time. We weren’t in a rush because we never really thought she was going to be this remarkable mare in polo. When Tommy was doing post-production on The Sunset Limited in 2010 we were staying in Los Angeles, California, and we went to Eldorado Polo Club [Indio, California] to play some green horses and she was part of that group. That’s when I realized, oh my gosh, this horse is remarkable; she took me everywhere. She would blow past other players if I asked her to and she would mark, keep her composure and stay collected nicely. That’s when I realized she had some talent.

Has she been featured in any major motion pictures?

Dawn: Pretty Bird Woman’s most famous appearance was in 2014 in a couple scenes of “The Homesman.” She also participated briefly in “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.” In “The Homesman” she is in a scene with Hilary Swank and Tommy, who are on a wagon heading east. Pretty Bird Woman is being ridden by an American Indian.

Around the film set she’s not afraid of anything. There’s the boom operator with a wind protector, cameras, cranes, lights—none of it phases her. She’s not afraid at all, she’ll just walk right up and hang out with the crew.

Describe her personality.

Dawn: One extraordinary thing about Pretty Bird Woman is that she’s incredibly friendly and seeks out companionship. She has always been happy to spend just as much time with a human being as another horse but also she’s learned to be very self-reliant and independent. A majority of horses I’ve encountered or spent time with from Argentina are not interested in having a bonding human friendship, whereas Pretty Bird Woman is very different. She just has a kind eye and will give whatever she can. She’s just the most adorable, kind, caring and giving mare. However, it seems like she’s in a no man’s land in terms of relationships with some of our horses. While Nicola and Fernanda love spending time with her, the other horses on the ranch are not very kind, and they pull on Pretty Bird Woman’s mane and tail, but she doesn’t retaliate. She’s tolerant, and I just really admire that about her. She’s a shining example of enjoying life no matter what it brings.

What are your plans for her future?

Dawn: Tommy and I never really had any plans to breed Pretty Bird Woman on purpose. We have a couple of nice breeding prospects and it’s so tempting because they really are remarkable polo horses. I think there’s potential for offspring that would be beautiful to see continuing to play the sport in the future.

Right now, this is Pretty Bird Woman’s chance to play a little bit more polo before she’s definitely retired and becomes a ranch horse for my husband.

LOMINSKA / POLOGRAPHICS .COM DAVID

Pretty Bird Woman, 21, is a Crow Indian Horse so her mane has always been kept on her.