NEWS

The USPA Spring Committee and Board of Governors Meetings were held from Tuesday, April 15, through Saturday, April 19, at the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida, and the USPA National Polo Center – Wellington (NPC) in Wellington, Florida. The meetings followed the now-standard hybrid format, with both in-person attendance and virtual access via Zoom to support broader member participation.

The meetings provide USPA members an opportunity to audit committees and become more involved with the governance and future direction of the Association. Providing an optimal setting to network with clubs across the country, the meetings are a forum for members to share opinions, ask questions and receive advice.

Meetings began on Tuesday morning, with the chairman’s reception held the following evening, poolside at NPC’s Mallet Grille. In addition to welcoming everyone to Florida, guests had the opportunity to honor the recipient of the Tom Hughes Umpire Award: USPA Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Chris Green. Throughout the week, events included the U.S. Open Polo Championship semifinals and final, an NPC Polo Operations asado and the National President's Cup semifinals and final.

After three days of productive committee sessions, the event concluded Saturday with the board of governors meeting, where reports were presented by representatives of divisions, LLCs and various committees.

During the meeting, significant updates were shared, including the unveiling of a new mission statement and operational structure. The committee will now include four new subcommittees reporting to Arena Chair Robin Sanchez: Tournaments and Leagues (led by Karl Hilberg), Marketing and Promotions (led by Callan Harrison), Club Development and Sustainability (led by Megan West-Koll) and Player Development and Engagement (led by Jenny Schwartz). Each subcommittee will receive support from strategic implementation and data analyst Jose Velez to create key performance indicators and measurable goals. Member selection for each subcommittee is currently underway. The restructuring effort was supported by the Arena Polo Strategic Review Subcommittee, which has spent the last year evaluating all facets of arena polo to identify more effective and efficient strategies to grow the sport nationally. As part of this shift, the Arena Committee will now fall under USPA Polo Development, LLC, rather than Services.

The 2024 winter season proved to be very active for arena polo across the country. The Texas Arena League (TAL) added a new tournament, the National Arena Chairman’s Cup (8-12 goal), which featured six teams and brought the league’s winter participation total to over 50 teams spread over six weekends with seven different levels of play. The USPA continues to support TAL through funding and incentives aimed at sustaining its rapid growth and player development.

The Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) season concluded with national finals in three divisions: the interscholastic, Division I intercollegiate and Division II intercollegiate. Participation remains strong with over 80 teams.

Arena Leagues are expanding nationwide. The Pacific Coast Arena League kicks off in May, hosted by Orange County Polo Club (Silverado, California), Lakeside Polo Club (Lakeside, California) and California Polo Club (Los Angeles, California), offering four levels of play. Additionally, the Central Coast Arena League in California will hold five weekends of competition, while the new Fresh Coast Arena League in the Midwest will host four weekends through the summer and early fall.

Looking ahead, the FIP Arena World Polo Championship will take place from Friday, October 5, through Monday, October 12, at Roseland Polo Club in Crozet, Virginia, and Virginia Polo Inc. in Charlottesville, Virginia. The global competition will begin with international zone playoffs and culminate in Virginia, where six qualifying teams will compete for a spot in the final.

Finally, the Polo Training Foundation awarded the 2024 Carlton Beal Arena Umpire of the Year honor to Robin Sanchez, recognizing her consistent officiating and valued role as a clinician in the continued advancement of the sport.

In 2024, the committee organized mounted color guards for the U.S. Open Polo Championship, Military Appreciation Night, the National Arena Commander-in-Chief Cup and the National Intercollegiate Championship finals. Looking ahead, the committee has been asked to organize the color guard for the 2025 FIP Arena World Polo Championship.

The National Arena Commander-in-Chief Cup was held in October, with Navy claiming the championship and Army Air Corps finishing as the runner-up. Clubs are encouraged to host the National Commander-in-Chief Cup, which is still available.

A total of 30 military events took place in 2024 and 13 military circuit events have been awarded so far in 2025. The Military Incentive Program continues to provide support for both national and circuit military events.

The Inter-Military Cup was played in Argentina in March, where the United States returned with a strong performance following a loss the previous year. In December, Armed Forces Committee Chair Mark Gillespie attended the Federation of International Polo (FIP) General Assembly in Argentina to support a proposal for the first worldwide military polo tournament in 100 years, scheduled for 2026.

The 2024 General George S. Patton Award was presented to Dr. Madison Richardson for his dedication to national and international military polo. Nominations for the 2025 award are open and may be submitted to Armed Forces Committee staff member Kynzie Watahomigie at kynzie@uspolo.org.

The committee held its regular spring meeting on Wednesday, April 16, to review ongoing committee matters. The committee operates under its charter, which outlines the roles of its members.

The status of the audit and tax returns was presented to the committee.

The committee serves as an advisory committee and reported the completion of a review of the procurement policy, along with a recommendation to move forward with SafeSport implementation. The committee continues to promote best practices across circuits by highlighting collaboration between the Midstate and Central circuits and developing a best practice guideline based on the Pacific Northwest circuit.

In regard to staff policy, the BASDC presented several updates to the time off policy, including the addition of three holidays, a shift from a vacation and sick accrual policy to a combined paid time off model, a new tier of paid time off for employees with over 10 years of employment to reward service and support retention, along with a six-week paid parental leave policy. Looking ahead, the BASDC agreed to explore the use of artificial intelligence and the potential risks associated with its application as a future discussion topic.

The committee met to discuss proposed revisions aimed at aligning the constitution with the by-laws, specifically regarding the club membership application and approval process. The committee also reviewed the circuit governor election process and proposed changes to fix membership counts as of a specified date and implement a runoff system in cases involving multiple candidates. Draft revisions to the governing documents will be developed over the summer and presented to the board and delegates at the USPA Fall Committee, Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting for further review and potential adoption.

The committee focused on reviewing the compliance status of all current USPA clubs and discussed the progression of several clubs from provisional to active status. A motion was made to recommend that Core Polo Club (Charlottesville, Virginia), Culver Academies Polo Club (Culver, Indiana), Florida Polo Club (Morriston, Florida), Grand Central Stables & Polo Club LLC (Haskell, Oklahoma), Hubbard Creek Polo Club (Breckenridge, Texas) and Marlan Farm Polo Club (Freeland, Maryland) be moved to active status. The committee also discussed the status of affiliate clubs in Mexico and other countries outside the United States, noting the challenges and potential risks associated with international affiliation, particularly with clubs in Mexico not fully adhering to USPA procedures. A preliminary discussion was held regarding potential changes to USPA membership structures and fees. The committee plans to meet throughout the summer to develop formal recommendations to present to the Constitution Committee ahead of the USPA Fall Committee, Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting.

An update on the Equine Medication Testing Program was presented, noting that 326 horses have already been tested this year, approaching the total of 380 tested in 2024. Revisions to the equine medication testing rules were approved, including the implementation of a five-year statute of limitations for repeat offenses and updated procedures for handling cases involving minors who rent horses that fail testing.

The committee discussed the use of eye and face protection products for horses, raising concerns that googles could potentially obscure underlying eye issues. A suggestion was made to consider requiring a waiver or veterinary sign-off for use, with further discussion to follow. The committee also discussed the development of genetically modified polo ponies in Argentina.

The Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover was reviewed. While the competition format has been slightly revised, the number of polo entries remains low. Neil Agate encouraged greater participation and proposed and idea that the committee look into some sort of financial assistance to encourage entries.

The Finance Committee met on Friday, April 18. Meketa Investment Group's Shawn Bowen and Aaron Lally reviewed year-to-date returns, noting a 60% fixed income and 20% equities allocation. Meketa presented charts on historical returns, yield curves and S&P 500 trends. The equity portfolio showed a 1.4% year-to-date increase, with a 6.2% one-year return and a forecasted 7% return over 20 years with 7% volatility.

USPA Global Licensing President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Prince reported strong performance, surpassing budget goals and industry peers, expanding globally with 11.3 million social media followers, 1,100 U.S. stores and 50 brand websites in 20 languages with 100 million visitors. Prince discussed market positioning, global diversification and growth strategies.

NPC Hospitality President Cameron-Hayes presented 2024 financial results, noting a 70% revenue growth, 40% increase in net operating income, membership growth and future cash flow projections. He also mentioned the need for capital improvements.

USPA Treasurer Steven Rudolph provided a financial overview as of February, including cash, investments and operating results. Chief Financial Officer Stacey Bell gave a financial operational update.

On Wednesday, April 16, the Polo Pony Breeding Committee provided a detailed update. Committee Chair Whistle Uys and Vice Chair Chloe Torres presented the current status and conceptual framework of the American Polo Pony Registry (APPR), emphasizing the committee's core belief that the horse is the currency to polo.

The committee outlined the structure of the registry, including membership requirements and an incentive program that awards points to horses competing in USPA tournaments, with additional emphasis on Best Playing Pony awards. American-bred horses will receive double points and prizes, with prize pools established for low -, medium- and high-goal levels. The committee highlighted feedback from breeder interviews, indicating that 85% support the creation of the registry and believe it will benefit their operations.

The presentation shared both short- and long-term goals, including creating a horse tracking platform, increasing income opportunities for professionals and fostering collaboration within the horse community. Long-term objectives focus on revitalizing the American breeding industry, establishing partnerships, attracting sponsorships and developing syndicated horse ownership as an economic driver for the sport.

Committee member Troy Lequerica led a discussion on next steps, which included developing a formal business plan, finalizing the fee structure, outlining DNA testing protocols, launching marketing initiatives for registered stallions, developing educational resources, exploring partnerships with other equine associations and securing initial funding sources.

The Polo Pony Breeding Committee expressed appreciation for USPA support and will return with a comprehensive business plan and funding request to launch the official registry. Designed as a 20-year initiative, the APPR aims to secure the future of American polo through a unified and sustainable breeding program.

The committee convened with a large focus on the implementation of the new homegrown player rule, effective May 1. The committee discussed several potential revisions, and the USPA board ultimately approved a modification for USPA outdoor high-level events: teams competing in 16-goal-and-higher tournaments that utilize a homegrown player or an additional American player—beyond the minimum required (as defined in Rule 1f.) and excluding the sponsor or designated sponsor—will receive a one goal credit toward the calculation of the team handicap. Please note, the updated rulebook is now available on the website, with changes highlighted in bold for easy reference.

Other topics of discussion included substitution requirements for playing sponsors in 22-goal polo, an optional tournament condition to eliminate half-goal handicaps, clarification that no foul should be called when the ball deflects off a hand or other body part and the exploration of a potential handicapping point system. The committee will continue to evaluate and refine proposed rule changes throughout the summer.

The committee discussed several ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing player safety. A proposal from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab was revisited, involving a potential study to develop a rating system for NOCSAE polo helmets. The study would offer specific data on different helmets on the market. The committee is continuing to gather information to determine next steps.

A joint collaboration with the Equine Welfare Committee was also discussed, focusing on the development of an injury reporting system within the USPA membership database to improve incident tracking.

The committee also explored the creation of a reimbursement program to support safety measures, such as hiring EMTs for events, CPR training and other related initiatives.

The committee and board approved 66 applications for 2025 and 2026 national, sanctioned and NPC events. Ten national tournaments were contested and the committee heard proposals from interested club representatives before voting to award the Association Cup and the USPA Women’s Arena Handicap to New Bridge Polo & Country Club (Aiken, South Carolina), the Bronze Trophy and the National Eight Goal to Eldorado Polo Club (Indio, California), the Butler Handicap and the Heritage Cup to Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida), the Continental Cup to The Hamptons Polo Club (Watermill, New York), the Eastern Challenge to Beverly Polo Club (The Plains, Virginia), the National Copper Cup to Sarasota Polo Club (Sarasota, Florida) and the USPA Women’s Arena Open to Orange County Polo Club (Silverado, California).

The committee reported continued growth and success in women’s polo. The Women of Wellington series returned for its second year, providing a competitive season for amateurs and professionals alike. Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) once again hosted the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship (USOWPC), with the semifinals and final held at NPC (Wellington, Florida). Looking ahead, the committee discussed increasing the number of chukkers to five in 2026 for USOWPC preliminary rounds and expressed enthusiasm for expanding the Florida women’s high-goal season to include a third leg.

To further unify and promote women’s polo across the country, a new initiative—U.S. Women’s Polo—was introduced. The initiative aims to enhance communication about women’s events through regular social media updates and a dedicated WhatsApp group.

The committee is also exploring the creation of a high-goal women’s arena test match to be played at the highest possible goal level and has engaged Robin Sanchez and the Arena Committee for support in organizing the event. In addition, the committee unanimously endorsed the mission and goals of the American Polo Pony Registry (APPR), following a vote called by the Women’s Committee Chair Meghan Gracida. Finally, Gracida announced that the 2024 Louise Hitchcock Woman of the Year Award was presented to Megan Judge.

NPC and The Polo Club at NPC reported a strong performance during the season both on and off the fields. Favorable weather and no Sunday cancellations contributed to a notable rise in attendance. The culmination of the U.S. Open Polo Championship final on Sunday, April 20, brought a record 1,200 covers at all restaurants. Overall, in 2025 club revenues increased by 10%, highlighted by a 30% increase in Pavilion brunch sales and a 66% surge in catering and private events.

Under the direction of the USPA accounting department, financially, the 2024 fiscal year showed marked improvement over 2023, with total revenues up 17% and the operating loss reduced by 40%. After ownership costs, the year-over-year gain was 16%.

The Polo Club at NPC membership grew steadily, with a 10% increase in the first four months of 2025. As of April, membership reached 384 and is on track to meet a year-end goal of 425. Efforts are underway to expand offerings with summer and corporate memberships. A marketing group has also been engaged to attract a wider demographic while maintaining the club’s private, high-end appeal.

Social programming continued to thrive, featuring a Polynesian-themed event, a strong welcome back party in January and consistent member-exclusive functions. The club’s season featured a well-received speaker series, including, among others, presentations by former 10-goaler Memo Gracida and Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame curators George and Brenda DuPont. The series was hosted by J.P. Morgan and the Armour Group. Complementing the speaker series were the popular wine nights with David Page—highlighted by a special tasting from Ferragamo vineyard—which consistently sold out and added to the season’s appeal.

Throughout the winter, NPC and The Polo Club at NPC hosted multiple events, underscoring the versatility and vibrancy of the venue. Signature events included the Buoniconti Fund Miami Project Gala, Polo Players Support Group’s 40-goal exhibition, Vinceremos’ fundraiser for the disabled, Polo for Life and Feed the Hungry, in addition to weddings and high school proms.

Facility improvements included the completion of the Mallet Grille pool patio and furniture updates. Kitchen renovations, including a new walk-in cooler, are currently in progress, with additional upgrades planned in the coming seasons.

Charles Smith, chair of the NPC Polo Operations Advisory Committee, highlighted the continued growth and progress of NPC Polo Operations, LLC as it marked its third year of operation. The season increased participation across all three Gauntlet of Polo tournaments, further solidifying NPC’s role as the premier venue for high goal in the United States.

Several key facility improvements were completed during the offseason, including the significant renovation of the Heatley House into Polo Ops offices, the addition of a new Pavilion entrance, the paving of 35th Street, upgrades to network infrastructure, installation of a redesigned box office and new ticket booth along with improvements to the U.S. Polo Assn. Field One sound system. A major ongoing project is the planning and development of a new stadium roof aimed at improving the overall spectator experience.

Polo Operations has made notable financial progress. The originally projected 2025 operational subsidy of $350,000 is now expected to be eliminated, positioning the organization to operate subsidy-free for the first time.

NPC continued to expand its range of competitive offerings, hosting 22-, 16- and 8-goal levels, as well as women's and youth polo. The quality of NPC’s fields remains among the best in the world, consistently drawing praise from professionals, sponsors and spectators. Box office performance exceeded expectations, with multiple sold-out events, including the U.S. Open Polo Championship final.

Looking ahead, NPC Polo Operations will focus on executing a multi-year strategic plan centered on sustainable growth, operational excellence and brand elevation. NPC continues to advance its position as the premier destination for polo in the United States, through world-class facilities, fair and competitive play and high-caliber event production.

USPA Umpires, LLC Executive Director Fergus Gould reported that the newly implemented rule, “live play blocking,” has been well received across all levels of polo. Feedback from players and spectators has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting improved game flow and overall watchability.

Representatives from the Argentine Polo Association and the Hurlingham Polo Association—Marcos Aldao and Peter Wright, respectively—visited Wellington, Florida, during the winter to observe the rule in real time. Following the visits, both associations have since adopted the rule, an initiative spearheaded by the USPA, positioning itself as a leader in this advancement for polo.

Gould also introduced upgrades to the USPA’s instant replay system, including the addition of a Ford Transit van fully equipped to support real-time play reviews. The van features technology to capture and replay footage from four different camera angles, to ensure better accuracy on calls and allowing each team to challenge one call per game. A designated replay official now manages the system, freeing up the third man to focus on the game and refer to specific calls quickly, on an as-needed basis. Videos and photos of the van were shared, along with an interactive demonstration of the review process.

The van is scheduled to travel to Santa Barbara, California, for a robust 16-goal season, followed by a stop in Lexington, Kentucky, for the 14 goal and it will finish up at the FIP Arena World Polo Championship, before returning to Wellington, Florida, for the 2026 winter season.

Matt Baran, executive director of Communications and Cristina Fernandez, communications manager, provided an overview of the Communications Division’s strategy and performance since the USPA Fall Committee, Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting. The presentation outlined key division objectives, including member and Association communication, USPA tournament visibility and promotion, equine welfare stewardship, player recruitment and strengthening NPC’s presence within the polo community while expanding its appeal to the broader public.

In a significant development, the formation of a new Communications Committee was approved by the board. USPA Pacific Northwest Circuit Governor Sheryl Sick was appointed as chair of the five-person committee, which also includes Lisa Scott, Austin Chandler, Ursula Lipari and Allison Annear. The Communications Division will now operate under the oversight of this newly-formed committee.

On Friday, April 17, the USPA Polo Development, LLC gave its spring presentation, highlighting advancements across four key areas: Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Program, National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS), E-Wheels and the Polo Development Initiative (PDI).

Liz Brayboy, Cindy Halle and Amy Fraser presented results of the national championships, highlighting standout performances across all levels of play. At the National Interscholastic Championship, held at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, Houston Polo Club captured the Open division, while Marlan Farm Polo Club claimed the Girls' championship. In the Division II National Intercollegiate Championship at Cornell University (Ithaca, New York), the University of Kentucky secured the men's title, while Cornell University won the women's title. Texas A&M University dominated the Division I National Intercollegiate Championship at DFW Polo Association in Texas, sweeping both the men's and women's titles. Additionally, the middle school achievement Leaderboard was successfully implemented, recognizing top performers from various schools.

The I/I team announced upcoming events, including the National I/I Alumni Tournament (The Feldman Cup) at Lakeside Polo Club in Lakeside, California, from Friday, June 6 through Monday, June 9, and the USPA I/I versus Schools and Universities Polo Association Britain Intercollegiate Challenge Cup at Rugby Polo Club, in England from Thursday, June 5 through Monday, June 9. Brayboy and Halle discussed efforts to improve alumni retention by connecting I/I graduates with local polo clubs.

The 2025 NYTS Championship is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3 through Sunday, September 7, at New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina. A key development includes the integration of E-Wheels training into NYTS programming to improve shot placement, accuracy and proper backshot execution among youth players. The E-Wheel Skills Challenge will be featured at the NYTS Championships and efforts are underway to establish a member discount program.

David Brooks, the incoming PDI chair, shared his perspective as a former PDI applicant and grant recipient who helped his club develop and build a covered arena for year-round operations. Justin Powers presented a comprehensive analysis of club development trends, including tournament participation data and club segmentation strategies. Powers outlined PDI's strategic focus moving forward emphasizing four key areas: capital expenditures/critical infrastructure, regional cooperation, club development new initiatives and a potential new focus on long-term club planning and sustainability.

Horsemanship, and especially promoting horsemanship to all levels of new polo players, has been identified as an area of focus for Powers, who plans to lead discussions on the topic over the summer with the Polo Development team and other stakeholders.

During the Saturday board meeting, Michael Prince, president and chief executive officer, reported another record year on all fronts for the U.S. Polo Assn. brand, with global retail sales reaching $2.5 billion and USPA royalties received exceeding the budget. Prince also mentioned that USPA Global Licensing Inc. provided a dividend to the USPA, reflecting strong financial performance. He highlighted the continued global growth and diversified business model of the brand as well as the leadership position it had taken among other sports brands. He closed by mentioning the increased visibility of the sport and the brand driven by ESPN and other media platforms.

The board also approved new committee chair appointments:

• Julio Arellano as chair of the High-Goal Committee
• Sheryl Sick as chair of the Communications Committee
• David Strouss as chair of the Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee

The USPA Fall Committee, Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting will take place from September 17-20, at the Manchester Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.