Florida Circuit

After a successful fall polo season around the Florida Circuit, the winter season is just weeks away at various USPA-sanctioned clubs including International Polo Club Palm Beach, Grand Champions, Port Mayaca, Hobe Sound and Sarasota Polo Clubs.

The 2017 Florida Circuit Sportsmanship Award and Circuit Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award, both historical honors that are presented to USPA members who demonstrate extraordinary excellence, were recently announced.

Mike Beck of Sarasota Polo Club was awarded the Circuit Sportsmanship Award which promotes good sportsmanship in polo and recognizes individuals who exemplify this quality.

Longtime player Julio Arellano of Everglades Polo Club was selected the Circuit Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award for demonstrating excellence in the field of equine welfare…

The Museum of Polo announced its 2018 inductees for the Hall of Fame. They are Sunny Hale, Jimmy Newman, Ruben Gracida, Roy Barry and horses Lovely Sage and Ruifino. The awards gala and induction ceremony and dinner is Feb. 16, 2018. Reservations are $250 each. E-mail polomuseum@att.net for tickets…

The Polo Training Foundation announced its upcoming tournaments and events for the Florida Junior and Youth season. The 2017/2018 schedule: Dec. 28, Major Collins Clinic; Dec. 30, Major Collins Tournament and Tackeria Cup; Jan 15, Joanna Monaco Memorial and Blanco, TX Cup; Feb. 19, Avendano Memorial and Tackeria President’s Day Cup; March 26, Buzz Welker Memorial and Yunghanns Charity Challenge; March 29, J. McLaughlin Sip & Shop, Worth Ave.; and April 20, PTF Polo Pary and Awards Ceremony. Online registration is available. Email floridajrpolo@yahoo.com…

Award nominations for the 2017 General George S. Patton Jr. are due Jan. 15, 2018 and should be submitted to James Dodge at jdodge@uspolo.org. The Armed Forces Polo Committee requests USPA members nominate people who have gone above the call of duty to create opportunities for military members and their families to be involved in polo…

A warm welcome back to Hobe Sound Polo Club which re-opened Dec. 1 under new management. The club is hosting eight 4-goal and eight 6-goal tournaments during the winter season…

Beach polo returns to South Florida with the Jan. 4-7 Miami Beach Polo World Cup, produced by Lifestyle Companies and longtime player Tito Gaudenzi, on the beachfront of host Hotel W South Beach…

Congratulations to Team USA’s Grant Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, three-time MVP Julio Arellano and Mike Azzaro for its sixth consecutive victory in the USPA International Cup with a 9-7 victory over Brazil. Also, congratulations to Future Legends players Will Jacobs, Santos Bollini, Juancito Bollini and MVP Mariano Gracida, winners of the Carlos Gracida Legends of Polo. It was wonderful to see so many from the polo community come out and support the fall season-ender including U.S. Polo Assn. President and CEO David Cummings and Steve Orthwein of Port Mayaca Polo Club and former USPA chairman…

Four players from the Florida Circuit have been announced as 2018 Team USPA candidates. They are Tony Calle, Grant Ganzi and Justin Daniels of Grand Champions and Lucas Arellano of Everglades Polo Club. They will try out in Aiken, S.C. in the spring of 2018…

Now available online at uspolo.org is the 2018 Polo Development initiative application. The USPA program is designed to help polo clubs and polo schools grow their USPA memberships and reach financial sustainability. The deadline is Dec. 31, 2017. This year’s application is to be filled out 100 percent online…

Just a reminder, umpires who have not completed the 2017 Rules/Umpire Test must do so by Dec. 18 to maintain their certification or to become certified. Contact Head Umpire Instructor Steve Lane at slane@uspolo.org or 352-454-6611…

I would like to encourage everyone involved in polo around the Florida Circuit to renew their USPA membership or join the USPA. There are several members who have not renewed their membership. We are also looking for new members so please encourage anyone you know interested in polo to join. The fastest and most efficient way to renew your membership or join is online at uspolo.org.

Currently, the Florida Circuit has more than 700 members. The USPA is the official national governing body for the sport of polo. It promotes the game and coordinates the activities of its member clubs and registered players.

USPA member benefits include: USPA member card and decal; player handicap; eligibility to compete in USPA tournaments; subscription to “This Week in Polo” email; subscription to Polo Players’ Edition Magazine; USPA rulebook; USPA annual Bluebook; $1 million personal excess liability insurance accidental death and dismemberment and excess medical insurance; discounts from Polo Plus on a variety of products and services; discounts on U.S. Polo Assn. apparel; PoloSkilz access; eligibility to participate in Polo Development Clinics and annual instructors and managers forum; eligibility to become a certified polo instructor and umpire training and certification. Student members are eligible to participate in Interscholastic Polo Varsity Letter Program…

I want to thank everyone in polo who work tirelessly to support and help grow the sport and promote polo through club activities, lessons, clinics and adult and junior tournaments.

Have a happy and healthy holiday and New Year’s. Looking forward to a successful 2018 winter season around the circuit.

Florida Circuit Governor

United States Polo Association