Brandywine Polo Club Player Handbook 2017

Transcription

1 Brandywine Polo Club Player Handbook 2017 Proud Member Since 1951

2 Table of Contents BRANDYWINE POLO CLUB CONTACTS... 3 COMMITTEES... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION... 4 POLO RULES... 5 PLAYERS... 5 PLAYER CONDUCT... 6 UMPIRES... 6 LEAGUE AND TOURNAMENT PLAY... 7 SUBSTITUTIONS... 7 PRACTICE... 8 STICK AND BALL... 8 USE OF FACILITY... 8 TRASH... 9 DOGS... 9 MEMBERSHIP AND INSURANCE... 9 BARN RULES... 9 RIDING AREAS VEHICLES POLO SCHOOL RIDING AREAS POLO FIELDS FIELD SIDE PARKING GOODS & SERVICES v2 Brandywine Polo Club 2 P a g e

3 BRANDYWINE POLO CLUB CONTACTS 232 Polo Road Toughkenamon, PA Board of Directors: Dixon Stroud Nicholas Place Lory Eighme Lisa Scott Polo Manager Juan Martinez-Baez Polo School Manager Juan Martinez-Baez Information Line Web Mail PO Box 568 Unionville, PA COMMITTEES The following committees will advise and assist in polo planning and administration. Disciplinary/Safety/Equine Welfare Committee Handicap Committee Tournament/Umpire Committee Advisory Committee Youth Polo Committee Social Members/Tailgate/Members Parties/Social Committee Facilities Committee Club Development/Sponsorships 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 3 P a g e

4 GENERAL INFORMATION Please read and be familiar with all Club rules and regulations. The Club reserves the right to make final decisions on matters addressed in this manual. Playing privileges may be suspended and membership revoked at the Club s discretion. No refunds or pro-rations will be allowed. All dates are subject to change. The Club operates during the summer season and offers a polo program to members of Brandywine Polo Club. Membership is subject to the approval of the Membership Committee. The Club has established a set of rules and code of ethics which members should be acquainted with, as set forth in this manual. In order to protect paying members, the Club does require that dues and fees be paid before playing. In order to protect all horses at the Club, proof of vaccinations and negative coggins test must be presented prior to unloading horses. The American Association of Equine Practitioners suggests core vaccines of Eastern/Western Equine Encepahlomyelitis, Rabies, Tetanus and West Nile Virus. Vaccination for Equine Influenza is also highly recommended. The Club offers several membership categories to approved members, please see Polo Fees section below. In the event that a sponsored professional player employed by a member is suspended from play, the Club specifically disavows any responsibility for any cost, direct or otherwise, incurred by the player or the member sponsoring or employing said player. Brandywine Polo Club will have certain committees to assist the Polo Manager. The rulings of the Polo Manager are final on all matters. The Polo Manager develops a season program of, but not limited to League, Sunday and tournament games. These schedules are posted on the Club notice board and at the Polo Office. 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 4 P a g e

5 POLO RULES The Brandywine Polo Club is a private Club run for the members under the rules and guidelines of the U.S.P.A. Any violation of the Club rules and regulations or failure to comply with the decisions of the Polo Manager or the Disciplinary Committee may result in a warning, fine, suspension, expulsion, or any combination thereof. The type of action taken for a general rules and regulations violation is left to the sole discretion of the Polo Manager and/or the Disciplinary Committee. PLAYERS All players at the Brandywine Polo Club must be current members of the United States Polo Association and must be rated 15 days prior to any league or tournament play. It is the responsibility of team captains or patrons to insure all team players are currently registered with the U.S.P.A. All players and officials for all league and tournament games must wear white britches or white jeans, and boots. Riders must wear helmets at all times when riding. Players shall not play in any event for more than one team. The aggregate handicap of a team must fall within the limits specified for an event. A team whose handicap is higher or lower than the specified limits shall not be permitted to participate. A player with a B handicap may not play above the 8-goal level. In any event rated 4 goals or above, there should be no more than one B rated player per team, and the handicap of no player may exceed ¾ of the upper handicap limit of the event. Playing Members Under 18: Please note, all minors on club property must be accompanied by their parents or a guardian. If a guardian is assigned for a minor on the property, a written statement of guardianship must be presented to BPC PRIOR to having a minor dropped off at the club. Club Management will not assume responsibility for minors at the club and provisions for oversight of minors must be worked out in advance, preferably at the beginning of each season. All minors under the age of 18 must, in addition to wearing a helmet at all times while mounted, must also have either a face guard appropriately attached to 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 5 P a g e

6 their helmet or wear protective goggles while playing polo. This requirement will be phased in during the 2017 playing season and will be a requirement for the 2018 playing season. PLAYER CONDUCT The Disciplinary Committee will enforce the rules of sportsmanship and conduct on the playing field. Captains ONLY are permitted to communicate with the Umpires during the game. The Captain is the representative of the team and it is through the Captain that the Umpire communicates with the members of a team. The Captain s right does not include a right to debate or question a judgment call of the officials; 1) The Captain may point out what he believes to be a procedural error; or 2) request definition of a call or decision if the Umpire failed to announce the call properly, but may not become argumentative or prolong the discussion. The discussion is over when the Umpire says it is over and prolongation may invoke a Penalty Any arguing, profanity, disrespectful conduct, rough or dangerous plays, refusing to play, or any other lack of sportsmanship will not be tolerated. VIOLATORS WILL BE SERIOUSLY PENALIZED. Any fines levied by the Disciplinary Committee must be paid prior to further play by the violator. In addition, the fines levied must be used to further the fun factor appreciated by the other non offending club members! This will be known from this point on as the fun fund. Unsportsmanlike conduct and profane language on or off the playing field will not be tolerated. Membership rights may be rescinded for any player in violation of this provision. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes but is not limited to conduct, including words, directed to any official, player, spectator, or other person or mount on Club grounds that is physically or verbally threatening, assaultive or abusive, demeaning, obscene, profane, belligerent, dangerous or that violates standards of fair play or common decency generally accepted in the polo community. UMPIRES This season we will rotate members systematically through an umpire roster, thus insuring everyone will share the pains and pleasures of officiating the polo games and practices. The less experienced players will be teamed with a more experienced player to ensure safety and encourage every player to become more familiar with the rules. 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 6 P a g e

7 It is the player s responsibility to check the board to see if he or she is scheduled to referee or umpire. The referee (third man) should not talk with others while the game is in progress, and will pay due attention to the game. Umpires may send off any horse found to be injured, lame, out of control and/or dangerous. It is the Umpires responsibility to report any unsportsmanlike conduct and the circumstances surrounding it to the Polo Manager as soon as possible. Umpires have the exclusive authority over the entire game and are charged with responsibly executing their duties. Umpires must be present 15 minutes prior to game time and are responsible for having suitable mounts. The final decision of canceling a game in progress, due to weather, shall be determined by the game officials and/or tournament officials. The team captains may be consulted, but the game and tournament officials will make the final decision. LEAGUE AND TOURNAMENT PLAY U.S.P.A. Rules and Regulations will govern all tournaments and leagues, unless otherwise noted. All players are responsible for reading and understanding all U.S.P.A. and club rules. The Tournament Committee has authority to revise and make rule decisions. The draw procedure and playing format will be decided by the Polo Manager and not by the captains of the teams entered. Entry forms must be completed and entry fees paid in full prior to the draw. A team that withdraws from an event after the draw shall forfeit all fees and be subject to additional fines and/or suspension from the next event. Leagues and tournaments must be completed by the scheduled dates, weather permitting. Teams must play all of their league and tournament games regardless of their win/loss records so as not to unduly influence the rankings of remaining teams in the same tournament. Any team that withdraws without the approval of the Tournament Committee will be subject to severe fines and suspensions from future events. SUBSTITUTIONS Any time a substitution is to occur, the Polo Manager must be notified in advance and the person substituting must be a current U.S.P.A. member and sign a release. 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 7 P a g e

8 Should a Full Paying Member be unable to play a tournament game or practice, he or she may substitute a qualified U.S.P.A. player from outside the Club roster to take his or her place. Guest charges will have to be paid for the substitute player by the member player being substituted. PRACTICE Subject to availability of players, practice games will be scheduled on Tuesday evening. Additional practices may be scheduled by the polo manager as needed. Each day a game schedule will be posted on the board in the front of the club barns, at the office, and recorded on the information line. The Polo Office will determine the schedule, field allocations, and playing times for all games. Chukka Signup: To schedule practice games, players must sign up on the club s online signup system, BY 6 PM THE DAY BEFORE. Players are responsible for bringing their own red, white, and blue practice shirts. Players must be on time for all games. Player tardiness at any scheduled event may result in a fine of $50 for each offense. All players must sign a release prior to playing. If a player substitutes another player without the polo offices knowledge, a fine will be imposed. Please pick up your trash (including tail tape). Grooms chukkas: The last chukka of each practice will be designated a grooms chukka and will be open for grooms to play. This only applies to professional polo grooms who primarily make their living as a fulltime polo groom. STICK AND BALL League and Full members may stick and ball on a designated stick and ball area at Walker Field when field conditions are acceptable and with the approval of the Polo Manager. USE OF FACILITY The grounds, club barns, turnout paddocks, fields and practice areas are reserved for the exclusive use of members with these exceptions: Grooms do not assume any benefits of membership. The groom must be a member of the U.S.P.A. and sign a release. All non-members who want to try a horse for purchase must check in at the polo office prior to riding. A release must be signed; they must be a member of the U.S.P.A. and pay the $25.00 per chukker rate for each chukker played. 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 8 P a g e

9 Brandywine Polo Club may invite, under special circumstances, visiting teams or players to participate in any league or tournaments without the membership rules applying. Visiting teams will be subject to the team daily rate. Members must notify the Polo Office in advance of any non-member using the facilities and should understand that this is a privilege that can be revoked, if abused. TRASH Please pick up bottles, cans, tail tape, and trash in your trailer area after each game or practice and instruct your grooms to assist in keeping these areas clean. Please be sure you take your trash with you or put it in trash cans. DOGS All dogs must be on a leash during all games, practice games, or if ANYONE is riding a horse ANYWHERE around the club grounds. Please pick up after your dog. A $50.00 fine will be imposed to the owner for each offense. All fines must be paid before the player s next game or practice. MEMBERSHIP AND INSURANCE Brandywine Polo Club is a private club, which reserves the right to accept or refuse members at the discretion of the Membership Committee. The membership season is May 1 st September 30 th. An application for membership must be filled in and submitted to the Club. All applications will be addressed within two weeks of receipt. All players must sign a release waiver prior to playing and do so for each year. This waiver will also be required of grooms, guests and family who ride within the Club grounds. All players must be current members of the USPA. Members should carry medical insurance for themselves, their grooms and sponsored players. BARN RULES NO SMOKING allowed in barn or hay sheds. Throw all trash in proper containers. Barn and paddock areas should be kept clean. Each horse must have a stall. One cannot have more horses on the club property than the number of stalls for which they have paid. For example: if you bring 8 horses to the club you must have paid for, been approved for and assigned 8 stalls (and 2 paddocks, see below). 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 9 P a g e

10 Use assigned paddocks only. Only 4 horses per paddock depending on paddock size, with Polo Manager s approval. Weekly paddock maintenance is your responsibility. Please mow your paddock and weedwhack the weeds including those weeds around the fenceline. The fencelines should be cleared and kept clear of all weeds and vines. For the rope/electric paddocks this is especially important since any weeds/grass touching any part of the rope will ground the wire and de-electrify it. There is a 30 mile fence charger on the rope paddocks so please make sure that it is unplugged before clearing the fencelines. (Lory can show you how to disable it.) Additionally manure should be removed from the paddocks on a regular basis (daily) and placed on the closest manure pile. This will assure that our club looks great and shows that we know how to properly provide turnout for our horses. Hay and grain should be stored in feed rooms or designated areas. Water hoses must be rolled when not in use. Notify the Polo Office of problems or repairs as soon as possible. Please turn off any lights when not in use. Dump manure in designated areas only. Please do not throw wire, bottles, cans or trash in with manure. Park all trailers and other vehicles in designated areas. Do not block road. Check with the Polo Manager before adding any construction materials to stalls, tack- rooms, paddocks or sheds. The club washer and dryer are for the use of BPC employees and staff only and are not to be used by members or their grooms. RIDING AREAS Horses may be exercised in specified areas only. The following rules apply: Riders must wear helmets at all times when riding. Stay within Polo Club premises. Ride on the side of roads or on the paths; do not cut across the polo fields. Maximum of four horses to a set. Do not tie horses together. Members shall take every precaution to ensure the safety of people and horses at all times. The Polo Manager has full authority to prohibit anyone from riding on the premises if the person does not possess adequate riding skills. There will be no exercising, schooling, or general riding on or around polo fields or stick and ball areas. No stick and balling on edges of fields during or after practice. No schooling or exercising in the arena without speaking with Polo Manager first. The Member s Only stick and ball area will be closed on Mondays. Any non-member found stick and balling on member fields will be charged a $1,500 stick and ball fee for the season. VEHICLES Be extra cautious of horse crossings; horses have the right of way! Do not block any roads. Park only in designated areas. Please drive slowly. 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 10 P a g e

11 POLO SCHOOL The Brandywine Polo Club employs personnel to run the Club Polo School and to manage the Club. No other entities may teach paid lessons on Club property. An exception would be a pro instructing their employer/patron. 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 11 P a g e

12 RIDING AREAS 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 12 P a g e

13 POLO FIELDS 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 13 P a g e

14 FIELD SIDE PARKING Drawing thanks to Denis O'Flynn O'Brien 2017v2 Brandywine Polo Club 14 P a g e

15 GOODS & SERVICES Motels Best Western Concordville Hotel (610) Cornerstone (610) Meadow Spring Farm (610) White Wing Farm Bed and Breakfast (610) Feed Stores Stoltzfus Feed & Supply (717) Embreeville Mill (610) Unionville Feed and Pet (610) Hay Hicks Brothers (610) Tom Jenkins (610) Tack & Equipment Texas Polo (800) Polo Gear (561) Tackeria (561) Unionville Saddle Shop (610) Dover Saddlery (302) Farrier Juan Martinez Baez (314) Veterinarian New Bolton Center Field Service (610) Dr. Cindy Buchanan (610) Dr. Katherine Stewart (302) Delaware Equine Center, Dr. Carolyn Little (610) Dr. Barbara Stewart (610) Dr. Celia Goodall (610) v2 Brandywine Polo Club 15 P a g e

16 Proud Member Since v2 Brandywine Polo Club 16 P a g e