About the HPA

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) is the governing body for polo in the UK, Ireland and many other countries throughout the world. As such, it is responsible for the regulations and rules under which the game is played. This includes the handicapping of any one playing in the U.K. or Ireland, and the fixtures list. The object of the HPA is to further the interests of polo generally and support by all possible means the common interests of its affiliated clubs and associations.

In 2004, the HPA became an incorporated company limited by guarantee. The directors of the company are the Stewards who form an executive committee which meets usually four times a year. The members of the company are the elected Council representatives of the affiliated clubs and associations. The Council meets twice a year, in December and in May for the AGM and approval of the accounts.

Beneath the Stewards, the following sub committees have specific responsibilities to the Stewards as indicated by their headings:

Handicap, Development, Coaching, International, Finance and Grants, Umpire and Rules, Umpire Grading, Disciplinary, Polo Pony Welfare, and Arena.

Each sub committee will usually be chaired by a Steward.

The day to day management of the HPA is run from the office at Little Coxwell, near Faringdon in Oxfordshire. Responsibilities within the office are as follows;

In addition, the following assist as indicated

Chief Umpire                                   Robert Graham
Deputy Chief Umpire                        Brigadier Arthur Douglas-Nugent
Coach to the England Team              Javier Novillo Astrada
Chef d’Equipe to the England Team   Andrew Tucker

The HPA is currently made up of  the following clubs and associations:

55 outdoor clubs in the UK
11 outdoor clubs in Ireland
28 arena clubs in the UK and Ireland
6 associations in the UK and Ireland
25 overseas clubs and associations

Individuals who are members of the clubs in UK or Ireland as full playing members are automatically associate members of the HPA. They are subject to the rules and regulations of the HPA as a player and horse owner and are allocated a handicap according to their abilities. In 2009, there were over 3100 members registered with and handicapped by the HPA.

A grants is given to the Pony Club for the encouragement of polo. A scholarship scheme is also run for young players to go overseas to learn to play polo and to look after ponies.
 
If you wish to have more information, please order a copy of our "Year Book".