My Views on the USPA 2006 April Meeting in Florida
April 26th, 2006
For the most part, the meetings were well attended and productive. Many people attended several meetings to get an overview of what is happening. Good idea as not much else to do for three days. These are my views on the meetings that I attended. This will all be from memory since I left my garment bag with all my paperwork and notes in the motel room and will not receive them until next week.
Rules Committee, most discussion centered around the upcoming international rules committee meeting between England, Argentina and the US in May. The idea is to get the rules for all three countries to be the same as much as possible. Several rules were discussed and acceptable modifications could be made, provided there is movement by the other countries where USPA has strong feelings concerning several of our rules. Several rules had very heated discussion and more thought will take place prior to any changes being submitted to the Board of Governors for approval. A conflict was discussed between two different rule interpretations that give conflicting rule interpretations, resolution to be proposed at the Fall Meeting. Overall I feel that any changes that will be proposed will be well thought out and needed before any are submitted.
Arena Committee, good turnout of members plus guests and 3 attended via teleconference call. Have webpage on USPA Website and email address, arena@us-polo.org for communicating Arena Committee happenings and responding to player’s questions. Have good cross representation of Arena Committee members on other committees so the Arena Committee can work with other committee’s and not duplicate efforts. Since 85% of the arena players are 2 goals or lower, most effort will be made addressing low goal handicap issues, looking for interested players in each circuit to assist in arena handicap review. Also will work at notifying clubs of what USPA Circuit and Sanctioned Tournaments are available. Will work with Tournament Committee, Arena will promote tournaments and recommend which clubs should receive approval if multiple requests for Arena Tournaments are received. Will work with Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Committee to avoid conflicts with Arena Rules which will greatly assist the Umpires – other than split string issues, the Arena & I-I rules of play should be the same. Will be sending out a short survey for arena players and for Clubs with Arena’s. Eighty Six Clubs have either Grass & Arena or just Arena which is 29% of all clubs and 59% of players have both grass & arena handicaps. The Arena Committee would like to know the real number of players who actually play arena polo during the year (some players have both but have not been in the arena for years). There will be a request that Grass players without an Arena Handicap will automatically assume the Outdoor handicap with a T until their arena play can be observed and modified as needed. Testing of Arena Balls is almost complete; have 3 more suppliers sending in balls for testing to meet standards. Weight of balls may need addressing.
Intercollegiate-Interscholastic Committee, big turnout, lots of discussion participation from those attending, whether members or guests. Discussion on when paperwork needs to be turned in, Tournament fee’s paid and program advertisement submitted. Report on winners of Intercollegiate Women & Men National Championship Tournament and Interscholastic National Championship. Update of I-I Manuel and Tournament schedule will be worked on over the summer.
Tournament Committee, requests for the Gold Cup Tournament was received from both Aiken (hosting in 2006) and International Polo Club – both Clubs gave a personal presentation on why they should receive the Tournament. Aiken could not guarantee how many teams would participate and at what level in the fall. International would conduct the Gold Cup during the 26 goal Florida winter/spring season and is proposing a High Goal Professional Polo League, Television and National Sponsors. International Polo Club has been awarded the US Open, Gold Cup and Whitney Tournaments, contract details to be worked out with USPA. Aiken will be award another High Goal Tournament once the level of play is determined. All other requested tournaments only had one club requesting the Tournaments so all others were approved.
Equine Welfare, discussion on clubs establishing pro active program, discussion of what position, if any, USPA should take concerning Horse Slaughter for Human Food, guidelines for clubs handling horse injuries during games. Primarily a club issue but need overall plan prior to Animal Activists challenging the Sport of Polo.
Junior Committee, discussion on what is happening in California & Florida and other areas Program is growing, getting young visitors from other countries, primarily in California, players mixed into local teams, live with local families, usually get offers for US Players to play in visiting Countries as their guests. Still awarding up to ten $1,000 grants per year to clubs wanting to start youth programs.
Safety Committee, Dr. Nice was surprised that about 15 people attended rather than the normal 3 – 5. No new helmets to test. Tested 3 helmets of players with head trauma, all 3 tested poorly when new and only could be tested in one area and then not in good enough condition to complete the balance of the tests. Safety Committee trying to examine helmets after accidents to see if any correlation can be determined, will be a long term project in gathering information. Extensive discussion on whether Umpires should be wearing helmets, lack of goggles/glasses meeting safety standards (some do not shatter but deflect enough to cause eye damage) need to have brain/concussion results summary on back of membership card.
Polo Training Foundation, report on fund raising activities in California, Florida and new fund raiser in Aiken, should be bigger and better this year. PTF has a Polo Training Manual available to those who complete a Trainer Course. Explained procedure on Clinics, which ones are free and which are paid half of the cost up to $850. Explained program where Kris Bowman and others visit clubs requesting the visit, review the club operation and offer suggestions on ways to improve Club operations.
Networking Session at the Polo Museum and Hall of Fame, hosted luncheon by local sponsors (finance & travel) wanting exposure to those attending. Have not heard final number of attendee’s but between 85-100 showed up. Could have been better but not bad for first time. Each speaker gave a 3-5 minute overview of their program (USPA, PTF, Properties, Polo Plus, Insurance, PDI) then each person was available to answer questions afterwards. Should have had a booth for each person so there was a specify place to go and meet them and not be in conflict with other speakers. Once some people got the information they wanted they visited with friends and made it difficult to hear speakers and conduct business. Was interesting to hear that Polo Plus is getting some use, 2 Dodge Trucks, several John Deere tractors & mowers, lots of Paint, not sure about Office Max. Call the Polo Plus rep. prior to visiting your Dodge or John Deer Dealer, they will make sure the dealer knows what is available, may or may not be the best deal you can make. Dodge, 1% below dealer invoice (not sticker price), plus all other incentives available. Equisure wants club business, explained every player has liability insurance, those who take out the $25 optional policy need to understand this is accident insurance, not health insurance – where can you get $25k accident coverage for $25? Explained in simple terms what is and is not covered.
Board of Governors, reports from all committees, FIP, Adam Snow to be coach, selection will be both East and West Coast, Zone play in Mexico City, FIP Tournament to be in Mexico City – Finance several motions to open accounts to accept the $2.5 million from USPAP and checking accounts to pay out the PDI grants and the five operation lines for conducting USPA business. It was made clear that the Funding for the Polo Museum & Hall of Fame expansion is being funded by them, the cost will be approximately $573K, Oxley Foundation is giving approximately $500K and Board members are making up the difference. USPA is only going into a rental contract, not furnishing construction funds. It will take 2 years for construction and then USPA can move in. USPA will maintain a regional office at Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Will be sharing office space in a building with Pony Club. Looking at hosting I-I National Championship Tournament at Horse Park in 2007. Discussion on High Goal League being formed and update was presented by the League Representative, when details are complete then another more detailed presentation will be given. Strategic Planning Committee gave a slide show report on the survey results. Very interesting results, only 20+% of members responded. Horse welfare issues were a large future concern. No one over 5 goals responded, largest group was the -1 to 1 goal player. This group feels left out and not properly represented by the Board of Governors and Delegates. The plan is to present changes to the Constitution allowing for Term limits on members of the BOG and award more delegate votes to larger clubs, electing Governor at Large by the Handicapped members. Also most Circuits will have one or more Lt. Governors who will assist in getting information to club delegates and Circuit Business. This will be a non voting position, no pay.
US Open; International Polo Club did a great job hosting this tournament. The stands were 100% full, not sure what the capacity is. The game was over after 2 chukkers and hard to keep exciting polo going when the score is lopped sided.
I had to leave Monday morning and could not attend the Handicap Meeting or the Memo hearing so can not comment on either.
If you get a chance, please attend the Committee & Annual meetings in Aiken Sept. 27 - Oct.1
This gives you enough time to make your plans and make your views known in person
