Revision I September 26, 2001 Santa Barbara, California

The sport of polo may have begun, as legend has it, when tribes of mountain villagers in Tibet played polo with the skulls of their enemies. The historical accounting of the sport, like legends, has been sketchy. What these tales and some verifiable records do suggest is that polo has probably been played in some form longer than anyone can remember. Carefully crafted depictions on a few centuries old oriental rugs, lend credence to the fact that polo has been played longer than written records have been kept. When armies transitioned from horses to tanks and nations no longer needed to train troops for horsemanship warfare, the Calvary also passed into history. One casualty of this "advancement" was the suspension of some international horsemanship competitions, the most notable being the elimination of polo as an Olympic event after the 1936 Games.

During the immediate post-war years, countries with strong agrarian economies and traditions preserved the excitement and traditions of polo. Where horses proliferate, polo has continued to provide a source of employment and pleasure. Today, even in countries that are not primarily agricultural, polo is enjoying resurgence in popularity. With the tremendous growth in discretionary time and income, almost anyone in America can now participate in a sport once reputed to be only for the wealthiest of society.

A less expensive version of the game is now played in arenas. Arena polo, requiring fewer horses, and a smaller playing area, has become the entry-level training ground for legions of new polo aficionados who love animals; enjoy social interaction, and the challenge of learning the skills and pleasures of polo.

Very early in polo training, participants recognize polo as a team sport, and generally join or form clubs to accelerate personal growth and enjoyment through cooperation and communication. To encourage the formation and advancement of clubs, particularly Interscholastic/Intercollegiate (I/I) polo clubs, this "primer" is compiled to assist with basic structure, along with suggestions or "templates" for continued guidance. Hopefully, this handbook can help clubs start with at least a basic source of information to build on so as to not have to "reinvent the wheel". Your feedback in the form of additional information to amend this volume is encouraged.

A special debt of gratitude is owed to a number of people including USPA Executive Director David Cummings for suggesting this booklet. Pacific Coast Circuit Governor Patrick Nesbitt, instrumental in staging and coordinating the 1998 World Polo Championship in Santa Barbara, was elected Governor of the Pacific Coast Circuit in October 2000. He immediately took a "hands on" approach by going around to the various clubs within the Circuit to become familiar with the latest information on the clubs, players and individuals, and to target where we could be of greatest assistance during the tenure of his Governorship.

It was in the course of these and subsequent travels that we met Megan Towle, a graduate of Cal Poly that has provided us with a number of the enclosed sample documents. Sue Sally Hale, sent us not only her beautifully written hand notes, but the talented sketches that accompany her material. Carol Barker generously contributed her Guide to Grooming the Polo Pony giving us permission to reprint it on our web site and include it in this handbook. A special thanks also to the legions of players, parents, academics, coaches, fund raisers, and club managers that have taken the time to support polo and its youth. Included in this group is James Edward Alexander who took the time to assist with the editing. You will see in the following pages our hopes and aspirations to make our own small contribution in this regard.

Sandy Herron
sandyherron@aol.com
Website Administrator: www.PCCPolo.com
USPA Club and Membership Committee Member
USPA Marketing Committee Member
American International Polo Foundation Secretary
Bella Vista Polo Club Secretary
PCYPA Board Member (Foundation)
CEPA Board Member (Foundation)
Administrative Assistant to Patrick M. Nesbitt, Governor, Pacific Coast Circuit

Table of Contents| Forward | Chapter 1: Getting Started | Chapter 2: Contacts | Chapter 3: Fund Raising & Help | Chapter 4: Mentoring Coordinator | Chapter 5: Marketing ProgramChapter 6: Safety Around Horses | Chapter 7: Riding Preparations | Chapter 8: Code of Conduct | Chapter 9: Sample By Laws | Chapter 10: Summer Horse Lease | Chapter 11: CoChair-Member Duties | Chapter 12: CoChair - Team Duties | Chapter 13: Public Relations Chair | Chapter 14: Horse Manager Duties | Chapter 15: Horse Donation Program |Attachment Sample -Handbook By Sue Sally Hale