November 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Association News

Conduct Violation

The USPA received a conduct violation complaint on July 11, alleging that USPA member Darrell Gaebel used offensive language when addressing a minor USPA member during a game played at the Great Meadow polo facility under the auspices of Twilight Polo Club on July 10. On July 20, the USPA Executive Committee issued charges against Mr. Gaebel for violating the USPA Code of Conduct. A hearing was held on Aug. 6, during which Mr. Gaebel, the minor USPA member, and 15 other witnesses testified.

The hearing officers rejected Mr. Gaebel’s jurisdictional objections, but concluded there was not sufficient evidence to find that Mr. Gaebel used the offensive language alleged in the complaint. Accordingly, the conduct violation complaint was dismissed in a final order dated Aug. 20.

The USPA received a conduct violation complaint alleging violations of the USPA Code of Conduct by Salvador Sanchez Duggan during two games in the USPA Memorial Cup at the Spokane Polo Club. The USPA Executive Committee issued charges related to subparagraphs (2), (3), (8), (9) and (10) of the association’s Code of Conduct, and subparagraphs (a) and (b) of Outdoor Rule 33. Mr. Duggan voluntarily agreed to resolve the matter in a settlement that included, among other things, a three-month suspension, a one-year probation, completion of an anger management program, and the delivery of letters of apology to affected USPA members.

PDI Grant Application

The 2022 Polo Development Initiative application is now available and will close Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. The Polo Development Initiative Grant Program is a reimbursable grant-based program intended 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. Visit the Polo Development Initiative page on uspolo.org to apply today.

Alumni Networking

Seneca Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland, hosted an I/I alumni networking event this past summer.

©Patrick Michaels

Host an alumni networking event at your club. Relive memories from your intercollegiate/ interscholastic career and reconnect with the sport! Alumni networking events aim to introduce I/I alumni in the area to local polo clubs and players. To learn more about alumni in your area or to share information on your polo club, please check out the Alumni Polo Network on LinkedIn.

The Alumni Engagement Committee invites any member club interested in hosting an I/I alumni networking event to reach out to I/I Program Coordinator Ali Davidge.

Membership Renewal

It is that time of year again! Renew your USPA membership for 2022 and continue to enjoy a variety of benefits, including savings on nationally known products through NTRA advantage, discounts on clothing and more. The fastest and most efficient way to renew your membership is through the USPA website at www.uspolo.org.

To ensure your membership benefits continue uninterrupted, please renew no later than Friday, Dec. 31. 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.

Frequently Asked 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 email 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 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 processed. If you plan on playing in a USPA tournament, please make sure to allow sufficient time to receive a confirmed handicap.

NOCSAE Helmet Variance

Does your helmet have the NOCSAE logo? If not, it is not NOCSAE compliant.

©David Lominska/Polographics.com

As of May 1, members must wear NOCSAEcompliant helmets in all actual outdoor and arena polo games at member clubs, not just USPA events.

The Rules Committee has learned that some members and some member clubs mistakenly believe that NOCSAE-compliant helmets need only be worn in USPA events. That is a misconception. NOCSAEcompliant helmets must be worn in all actual outdoor and arena polo games (not including practice games) at member clubs, not just USPA events and not just games umpired by USPA professional umpires—all actual games.

These rules apply to you unless you qualify for one of the existing variances and have signed the applicable USPA Waiver and Acknowledgment.

USPA Outdoor Rule 4a and USPA Arena Rule 3a(2) each state that, “[n]o player may participate in any USPA Event or Club Event in anything other than a proper uniform, including a protective helmet with a chin strap, which must be worn in the appropriate manner specified by the manufacturer of the helmet. ... Effective May 1, 2021, the protective helmet required by this rule for players must be certified to meet the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Polo Helmets.”

The terms “USPA Event” and “Club Event” are each defined in Part I of the USPA Tournament Conditions, and these definitions make clear that every actual polo game is either a club event or a USPA event. The USPA Rules and Tournament Conditions apply to all members and at all member clubs. And both Outdoor Rule 11b and Arena Rule 1d state that “no USPA Member Club or Host Tournament Committee may adopt any variance” from the rules requiring NOCSAE-compliant helmets.

Members and member clubs each agree annually to comply with all USPA rules and policies. Thus, if you are a member, you must wear a NOCSAEcompliant helmet in all actual polo games, both outdoor and arena. And if you run a member club, you must require your players to wear NOCSAEcompliant helmets in all actual polo games, both outdoor and arena.

Due to delays in production and shipping, the Executive Committee has decided to extend USPAapproved NOCSAE helmet variances until Dec. 31. Casablanca and Charles Owen have assured the USPA that all existing orders for NOCSAE-compliant helmets will be filled by Dec. 31. For that reason, the Executive Committee has decided to terminate all existing variances from USPA Outdoor Rule 4.a and USPA Arena Rule 3.a(2)—the NOCSAE-compliant helmet rules, which took effect on May 1—except for the three variances set out below, which are now in effect and will remain in effect:

First, any new member who joined the USPA for the first time on or after May 1, or who rejoined the USPA on or after that date following an absence of at least two years, and who does not possess a NOCSAEcompliant helmet, may nevertheless participate in a USPA event or club event using a protective helmet that is not a NOCSAE-compliant helmet, if he or she provides definitive proof that on a date within 30 days of joining or re-joining the USPA but no more than six months previously, he or she ordered a NOCSAE-compliant helmet, which has not yet been delivered, provided that each such affected member first executes in writing (a) a waiver of liability in favor of the USPA and its member clubs for any claims that might arise from the use of a helmet that is not a NOCSAE-compliant helmet, and (b) an acknowledgment that this variance will expire as to him or her when the NOCSAE-compliant helmet he or she has ordered is delivered.

Second, any member who can demonstrate that he or she does in fact possess a NOCSAE-compliant helmet that has been damaged, and who provides definitive proof that he or she has ordered another NOCSAE-compliant helmet no more than six months previously, which has not yet been delivered, may nevertheless participate in a USPA event or club event using a protective helmet that is not a NOCSAE-compliant helmet, provided that each such affected member first executes in writing (a) a waiver of liability in favor of the USPA and its member clubs for any claims that might arise from the use of a helmet that is nota NOCSAE-compliant helmet, and (b) an acknowledgment that the variance will expire as to him or her when the NOCSAE-compliant helmet he or she has ordered is delivered.

Note that this variance can be applied when a NOCSAE-compliant helmet is damaged during a game to allow the member to finish the game in a non-compliant helmet, provided that each such affected member (1) agrees to promptly provide after the game proof of purchase for a new NOCSAEcompliant helmet, and (2) executes in writing (a) a waiver of liability in favor of the USPA and its member clubs for any claims that might arise from the use of a helmet that is not a NOCSAE-compliant helmet, and (b) an acknowledgment that the variance will expire as to him or her when the NOCSAEcompliant helmet he or she is ordering has been delivered.

Third, any member who is age 13 years old or younger and whose head is not large enough to use a currently commercially available NOCSAE compliant helmet may nevertheless participate in a USPA event or club event using a protective helmet that is not a NOCSAE-compliant helmet, provided that (1) this proposed variance will expire when two NOCSAEcompliant helmets are commercially available in a smaller size that fits the affected member; (2) that each such affected member’s parent or guardian first executes in writing (a) a waiver of liability and (b) an acknowledgment that the variance for their child or ward will expire when two NOCSAE-compliant helmets are commercially available in a size that fits the affected member and the child or ward is able to take delivery of one such promptly-purchased NOCSAE-compliant helmet; (3) the non-compliant helmet is always worn with a chin strap and in the appropriate manner specified by the helmet manufacturer; and (4) the affected member uses appropriate eye protection (i.e., a face mask or safety goggles).

If you have any questions about how the NOCSAE compliant helmet rules apply to you or your club, or about how any existing variances may apply to you, please contact USPA Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan for clarification. But remember, NOCSAE-compliant helmets must be worn in all actual outdoor and arena polo games (not including practice games) at member clubs, not just USPA events and not just games umpired by USPA professional umpires—all actual games.

Deadlines for intercollegiate and interscholastic teams are approaching.

©Larry Johnson

I/I Deadlines

Advertising Deadline

A reminder for anyone that wants to submit an ad to be included the I/I magazine must turn in the ad and payment by Dec. 1. Please contact Amy Fraser at afraser@uspolo.org with any questions.

Entry Fees and Score Sheets

Tournament entry fees for intercollegiate teams are due Dec. 1. In addition, a minimum of one official score sheet from a regular season qualifier game is due by Dec. 1.

All eligibility paperwork and tournament entry fees for interscholastic teams are due Dec. 8. In addition, two regular season qualifying game score sheets are due on Jan. 5.

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

Clinic Reimbursement

This is the last call for I/I clinic reimbursement. The I/I Clinic Program is open for I/I teams to apply for reimbursable funds up to $1,500 to host a clinic this fall. To learn more about the program please contact Amy Fraser at afraser@uspolo.org.

PDI Program

The 2022 Polo Development Initiative application is now available and will close Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. The Polo Development Initiative Grant Program is a reimbursable grant-based program intended 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.

For guidelines or to apply, visit the Polo Development Initiative page on 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