From The Governor’s Desk
By Denny Geiler, Pacific Coast Circuit Governor
January Governor’s Conference Call
1-11-2010

The following topics were discussed on the Governor’s Conference Call for January, 2010:

Polo Training Foundation: On February 25, 2010, the PTF will host its annual auction at Eldorado Country Club.  The event is always well attended and the cocktails and h’or d’oeuvres are delicious.  In addition, this event has always raised more money for PTF than the similar events held in either Texas or Florida.

USPA Western Networking Event: On February 27, 2010 at the Eldorado Polo Club Peter Rizzo (USPA executive director), Ed Armstrong (USPA  Director of Clubs and Tournaments) and Kris Bowman  (USPA National Club Development Director) will be making presentations about the various programs and benefits the USPA is providing for its membership.  Refreshments will be served.

Local Polo Pony Welfare Committees: Currently USPA regulations require each club to have a polo pony welfare officer.  In addition, each application for a USPA tournament requires the selection of a polo pony welfare officer for the tournament.  The USPA is developing a paper that will outline the responsibilities of the welfare officer.  If an officer is not appointed it is presumed that the club manager is the welfare officer.

Larger polo clubs are encouraged to create a polo pony welfare committee. When a complaint is received by the club manager, the manager can refer it to the club’s committee for investigation.  This sets up a reasonable administrative process and can “buy some time” so that a responsible response can occur.  Polo Club Managers are busy enough and often are put in a difficult position when they are the only pony welfare officer and are demanded to give an immediate answer to a journalist or unhappy member of the club or public.

Drug Testing: Clinic Nagle of the USPA Polo Pony Welfare Committee reported that its executive committee of veterinarians has been meeting weekly to create a final list of allowed drugs.  In addition, they are developing a question and answer brochure that will be communicated to the polo community.  The US Equestrian Federation will use its existing drug testing procedures and laboratories for the sample testing.  It is hoped that the program will be in place by March, 2010.

FIP: FIP met in Buenos Aires for their annual meeting but the Big Three (Argentina, USA and England) did not attend in protest of past management practices.  Patrick Hermes has resigned as president and James Ashton was named as interim president.  Since there was not a quorum in attendance there is a question whether those activities were legally binding but it certainly seems that the ship is headed in the right direction and this short detour will strengthen FIP in the long run

Interscholastic/Intercollegiate: Russ Sheldon reported that the I/I program is in full swing.  There are 128 clubs that are signed up to participate in the I/I tournaments.  The Western Interscholastic Regional Tournament will be held at Santa Barbara Polo Club on March 5 to 7 and the Western Intercollegiate will be at the same place on the following weekend.  The finals of the Intercollegiate are scheduled to be held at Virginia Polo Center on April 5 to 10.  The finals of the Interscholastic are scheduled to be held at Cornel on April 21-24.

Helmet Testing: Another brand of helmet has been tested.  Additional helmet research is proceeding so that the U.S. polo playing public will have a helmet that meets the 2012 standards when they go into effect.

Eldorado Polo Club January League Dinner: Eldorado Polo Club held a very successful January League Dinner at its Club House.  The dinner was attended by 190 polo players and aficionados.  The theme was Rat Pack and many people dressed accordingly which added to the flavor of the evening.  Mike Ward, president of Lakeland Partners, the owners of the polo club, made an excellent presentation where he stated that the owners are committed to improving the club, its tournaments and events and that the club has a good future in store for many seasons to come.

Team USA: Denny Geiler, Pacific Circuit Governor, stated that Chris Collins, Carlitos Galindo, Nicolai Galindo, Nick Morrison, Collin White  and Jared Sheldon will be representing the Pacific Circuit at the Team USA try outs in February that will be held in Florida.  There were 73 applicants and only 24 chosen.  This will be a 3 day camp in Wellington.  Charles Smith, chairman of the USPA High Goal Committee, held a luncheon of 13 high goal players and professionals who have volunteered to be mentors for the members of Team USA.  He said he was amazed at the amount of enthusiasm from the polo community for this enterprise including the quality of horses offered and the quality of assistance volunteered.

Each year there will be try outs to add more participants to Team USA.  They intend to follow the team members for years following their initial year in order to continue to assist them in their polo endeavors.  At the start, this is a terrific opportunity for our representatives to make new and lifelong relationships with others in the polo community.  All the costs including air transportation are being paid by the USPA.