News
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2009
USPA
Establishes Committee to Examine
Additional Safeguards for Polo Horses
Wellington, FL - During
its semi-annual Board of Governors meeting today,
the United States
Polo Association (USPA) voted to establish a committee
to examine existing and additional safeguards for
polo horses including developing a prohibited substance
policy.
The USPA’s Board
of Governors approved the following motion:
“In light of
the tragedy that occurred this past week, the USPA
Equine Welfare Committee requests that the USPA Chairman
establish a research committee to (i) review the forthcoming
results from the civil authorities conducting the
formal investigation and (ii) develop appropriate
policies that will ensure the safety and well-being
of polo horses.”
“The USPA has
a tradition of promoting equine safety. The Board
of Governors today approved the establishment of a
review committee to examine equine safety issues in
polo, including veterinarians, players, owners and
polo leaders. The committee will examine the practices
and policies of other equestrian organizations, as
well as examine existing protections for horses and
possible improvements including the establishment
of a prohibited substance policy,” said Peter
Rizzo, executive director of the USPA.
"We need to look
after the best interests of the horses. Ultimately,
what we do best for the horses will be best for polo
and the United States Polo Association," said
Adam Snow, a world-class U.S. polo player and former
10-goaler who will be participating in the finals
of the U.S. Open Championship on Sunday.
For over sixteen years,
the USPA has maintained an Equine Welfare Committee
whose major goal is to ensure the welfare, safety
and protection of horses. The committee focuses on
the rules of Polo in an effort to make the game as
safe as possible for the horses. The USPA is 100%
committed to preventing a tragedy of this nature from
happening in the future.
The USPA has been organized
and exists for the purposes of promoting the game
of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member
Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising
polo tournaments, competitions, and games and providing
rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments,
competitions, and games including the safety and welfare
of participants and mounts.
Peter Rizzo
Executive Director
United States Polo Association
Peter Rizzo
is the executive director of the United States Polo
Association (USPA). He has played polo for over forty-five
years as an amateur and professional both nationally
and internationally. As the USPA Equine Welfare Representative
Rizzo’s responsibilities include being the primary
contact for reporting to the appropriate civil authorities
who have jurisdiction to review and remedy cases of
alleged horse abuse and neglect.
Contact BRG Group
