Become a member

No person may play in any match, organised game or practice chukka at or conducted by an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club in the UK or Ireland unless the membership requirements and formalities as set out below have been met and completed.

To find out about each type of membership, click on the type from the list below that applies to you.

Type of membership

UK Resident*

Overseas Resident*

Full Associate Membership

Ł110

Ł200

Full Associate membership is only available to a playing member of an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club who has a current HPA handicap listed in the HPA Year Book or has been given a handicap following submission of a CV form.

Temporary Associate Membership

Ł55

Ł90

a. Purpose. The purpose of Temporary Associate Membership is to enable:

(i) Those considering taking up the game to play in some practice chukkas,
(ii) Players on a short visit from overseas to play some chukkas or the occasional match.
(iii) Individuals who are no longer playing to take part in a one off tournament or match; eg as part of an Old School or Hunt team.

b. Application. Temporary Associate Membership can only be applied for by the club or owner of the ground at which the person intends to play and can only be used at that club or ground. Membership must have been confirmed in writing by the HPA. No person may become a temporary associate member on more than one occasion in any one year and it is limited to 10 consecutive days. Any person who has been a temporary associate member may subsequently become an associate member for the same calendar year on payment of the difference between the two subscriptions.

c. Handicap. A Temporary Associate Member will play off his last registered handicap and will not be re-handicapped or listed in the Year Book. A CV form must be completed by any player from overseas.

Junior Associate Membership
(18 and Under)

Ł40

Ł70

Junior Associate Membership is only available to a playing member aged 18 and under, of an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club. Junior Associate Membership is an annual membership from 1st April to 31st March and is the only membership for which includes the Arena Season.

Chukka Membership

Ł85

Ł115

Chukka Membership is available to persons such as umpires and coaches who are not going to play at all and to persons such as grooms, if their employer wishes them to play their ponies in chukkas. They cannot play in any match and may only play in chukkas with the clubs express permission. Chukka members will not be handicapped but as a member of the HPA they will be covered for public liability. This is also available to non playing individuals who wish to belong to the HPA.

Click to download a Chukka Membership Form

Arena Full Ł110 Ł200

Arena Full (Paid up outdoor member) Ł60 Ł60

Arena Junior (18 and under on 1st Jan) Ł40 Ł70

Arena Junior (under 14 on 1st Jan) Ł15 Ł15

Arena Junior (Paid up outdoor member) Ł0 Ł0

*A principal place of residence will be the members only home but if they have more than one home it is where they mostly live. Residence for nine months of the year in a particular country will be treated as sufficient to establish a principal residence in that country.

Membership Requirement.

a. Signed Registration/Declaration Form. All players must lodge with the affiliated club a signed declaration to be bound by the rules, regulations, orders and directives from time to time in force of that club and of the HPA. The declaration for any person under the age of 16 on 1st January must be countersigned by a parent or guardian.

Download a Registration/Declaration Form

b. CV Form. Any person who requires a handicap above S and who does not already hold a current HPA handicap is required to submit a CV form. The form must be signed by the player and countersigned by his club, and sent to the HPA at least 3 working days before he is due to play in any match. Until the CV form has been stamped and signed by the HPA, the player is not eligible to play. (See Regulation 6). The handicap awarded will be the highest currently held in any country and will be placed in brackets and restricted as per Regulation 6.4e.

Download a CV Form

The handicap awarded will normally be the highest attained in any country during the 12 months previous and will be placed in brackets until confirmed by the Handicpa Committee as per Regulation 6.4e.

c. Handicap Qualification Form. Regulation 6.4e Players with Bracketed Handicaps. "No sponsored player with a bracketed handicap of 5 goals or less will be allowed to play in the 22 goal. Brackets may be removed once a player has submitted a ‘Handicap Qualification Form’ to the HPA via his club at least one week prior to a handicap meeting showing that he has played in a minimum of 10 Victor Ludorum matches. A sponsored player is someone who is either paid to play or is assisted financially in any way, such as with ponies or travel. Bracketed handicaps for non sponsored players and those under 0 can be removed as soon as handicaps have been confirmed or when it is clear that a returning player is correctly handicapped."

Download a Handicap Qualification Form

d. Overseas Sponsored Players (OSPs)

Status Guidelines for Overseas Sponsored Players
Download the Guidelines

To apply for "non OSP" Status (ie for those holding European passports - NB must be an EEA country)
Download the Application Form - For a list of EEA Countries click here

To apply for full change of OSP Status (for those OSP's permanently domiciled in the UK)
Download the Application Form

Overseas Sponsored Players Frequently Asked Questions

What you get for your HPA membership

· Public Liability insurance that covers you worldwide and covers your polo ponies throughout the year, provided that the ponies are registered with the HPA as polo ponies and they are not part of a business. For full policy please click here.

· The Hurlingham Magazine. Once your address has been passed to the HPA by your club the HPA will then inform the publishers. Please note that you will only receive the Summer edition if we receive your name prior to 1st June; you will receive the Winter edition from 1st October.

· The Year Book (Blue Book). Available to collect from your club at the start of the season.

· Discounted tickets for Cartier Available to purchase through your club.

· Access to the Injured Players and Officials Fund. For further details please click here.

· Access to the Polo Charity.

Once your club has forwarded your details to the HPA you will be sent the following:

· The Umpire and Rules DVD

· Your Membership Card (–2 and above)

· The Pocket Rule Book (1 goal and above)