GOVERNOR’S  REPORT

The USPA Board of Governors met in Santa Barbara for their semi-annual meeting from August 25 to August 29 and a number of interesting issues were resolved:

1.              American Rule:  The current American Rule is that each team in a USPA tournament must have an individual with an American passport besides the patron of the team.  The rule applies to tournaments of 26 goals or less starting January 1, 2012.  There was a request from the tournament committee to extend the start date for an additional year.  A presentation was made by approximately 20 American players in favor of keeping the rule as it is presently worded.  A statement was made that presently there are only 16 American players rated at 6 goals or more and half are over the age of 40.  The American players presented evidence that the foreign professionals get the high goal – best paying jobs so the American players cannot buy the best horses and improve their ratings.  There was only one American player that is playing in the U.S. Open.  After due consideration, the board voted to apply the American rule to all USPA tournaments without any handicap limitation and the rule will take effect January 1, 2012.

2.              USPA Umpires:  Presently the USPA will provide one certified umpire free of charge except for transportation costs, etc. per circuit per year.  Beginning in 2011 that number is doubled to two per circuit per year.  Apply to your governor for this benefit.

3.              USPA Advertising:   The USPA Marketing Committee has a budget of approximately $75,000 to spend on advertising to attract new polo students to the sport.  The concept used was cross advertising in that people who already knew how to ride would be more likely to take up polo.  Interestingly enough, the most successful advertisements were in the American Horse magazine and Western Horseman magazine.

4.              Free USPA Memberships:            Presently any USPA Club that is receiving PDI Club Funding or is a Regional Polo Center can give beginning polo students a free USPA associate membership that includes the magazine subscription, liability insurance and a membership card.  The new member can receive a polo handicap by paying an additional $50.00.  Those clubs found that this was a great benefit to include in their first polo lesson package.  The idea was that once an individual had an affiliation with the USPA and felt that they were a “polo player” (they had a USPA membership card to prove it) that they would renew their membership the following year.  The Club and Membership Development Committee proposed that starting in 2011, all USPA clubs could give beginning polo players the same membership package.  The proposal was approved by the Board of Directors.

5.              Growing Membership:            The Club and Membership Committee reported that USPA membership has grown by 9% this year.  Interestingly enough approximately 75% of the male members and 95% of the female members are rated at A or below.

6.              USPA Intern Program:            The PDI Committee instituted an intern program to assist USPA clubs with marketing and advertising.  The concept is that there are collegiate polo players that are majoring in marketing and advertising that need experience.  There are many clubs that need help in the same areas but cannot afford consultants.  Kris Bowman has a list of collegiate polo players that have the necessary skills to match up with the polo clubs so contact her.  The other element of the program is that the USPA will provide the collegiate “consultant” with some living expense money.

7.              Polo 101:            The Polo 101 website developed by Lynn Bremner has been successful in attracting new polo students.  As she receives the inquiries she sends them to polo clubs that are geographically convenient to the student.  The referrals are provided free.  In addition, Polo 101 provides free listings for polo clubs and free website development tools.  Lastly, Lynn is available as a reasonably priced consultant to expand on the original website tools.  Now is that time to develop a new website or improve on your existing website.

8.              PDI Funding:                        The USPA established a $400,000 2010 budget for the PDI Committee.  $100,000 was applied to the 5 Regional Polo Centers.  $45,000 was applied to administrative programs which were primarily funding umpires in various regions.  38 USPA clubs were approved for Club Funding.  In order to qualify for Club Funding, a USPA Club must file an application requesting funds for any program that will help that club grow its membership.  It is a reimbursement program and the Club must share in the cost of the program.  In the Pacific Circuit, Wrightway (Menlo Polo) Polo, Central Coast Polo, Eldorado Polo, San Diego Polo, Poway Polo, Orange County Polo, Fair Hills Polo, and California Polo have all participated in the program.  The project must be an expansion of existing projects and not a “start up” project.  Guidelines and application forms are on the USPA website.

9.              Kinsey Brace:            The Board of Governor approved the request of the Equine Welfare Committee to fund $300 of the cost for any USPA Club to purchase the Kinsey Brace.  This is an emergency brace that would be applied to the broken leg of a horse so that the horse can be moved off a field and moved to a place where emergency care can be administered.  Every club should have one of these.

10.           Team USA:            Applications are available for the next group of 18 to 23 year old polo players having a handicap of A or higher.  The applications are due October 15, 2010 and are available on the USPA website.  This program provides great training and mentoring to our younger polo players.

Other News From Around the Circuit:

1.            Regional Polo Center:                        Presently Wrightway Polo (Eric Wright, et. al.) has polo operations at Menlo, Los Angeles Equestrian Center and Indio, California.  This is the only Regional Polo Center in the Pacific Circuit.  Eric and his staff are available for requests for assistance of any type.  Call him for advice.  If you need assistance sponsoring a clinic or tournament, call him for advice.  If you want to hire a polo instructor or manager or assistant, call Eric.  The USPA provides Eric with funds so that he can provide these and any polo related services to any USPA Clubs.  He is a great resource.

2.            Polo In The Park:            Sara Meakim said they just held their annual Polo In The Park Charity polo match in San Francisco.  It was a great success and raised a good amount of money for charity.  If you are interesting in playing in the match next year call her at (415) 221-9438 or (415) 608-2530.

3.            Manny Questal:            We have good news to report.  Manny has paid his fines, etc. to the USPA and he is able to play at USPA clubs once again.  He will be on probation for an additional year.

4,            Pony Club Affiliation:            The USPA has developed a participation agreement with the US Pony Club so that polo is now an approved equestrian activity.  You can determine if you have a Pony Club in your regional by going to their website, www.ponyclub.org.  Some of our Pacific Circuit clubs have been able to attract new members from the Pony Club who are looking for new equine challenges.  Wilbur O’Farrell is available from the USPA to put on a Pony Club – Polo clinic at your club.

5.            Umpire/Strategy/Polo Skills Clinics –                        Funds are available from the USPA and the PTF to help pay for the cost of an expert to put on a clinic at your club.  The subject matter can be far reaching as long as it is about polo.  Umpire, strategy and polo skills clinics are the obvious subject matter but other clinics such as how to run a polo barn or horse medical management are other suggestions.

6.            Kris Bowman:                        Kris will be making several trips to the Pacific Circuit next year in order to visit as many USPA clubs as possible.  Her experience in polo club management has been invaluable to the many clubs she has visited.  Email her now and get on her visit list (kbowman@uspolo.org).  Also she is very familiar with all the USPA programs that are available to help your club grow from management techniques, to marketing and finally to funding your programs.

7.            Desert Polo:                        At the last Delegates Meeting in Santa Barbara representatives from Empire Polo and Eldorado Polo made presentations of the improvements they are making to their clubs and the programs that they will be providing this winter at the desert.  The one thing that was clear is that polo in the desert this winter will be better than ever.  Contact to them to see which league fits your winter polo requirements.

Call me (949-729-2230) or email me (denny@poloproperties.com) if you have any questions or ideas.

See you on the field,

Denny Geiler, Pacific Circuit Governor