Standing Rock is delighted to have been invited by the New South Wales Polo Association (NSWPA) to sponsor the Standing Rock Fair Play Award, which will be presented to the team that demonstrates superior sportsmanship and horse welfare standards during the Kerry Packer Challenge Cup (Ellerston Polo Club, Ellerston), the Mulhall Memorial Trophy (Garangula Polo Club, Harden), and the Morton Cup (Windsor Polo Club, Richmond).
Having received incredibly positive feedback from players, umpires and polo clubs since the Standing Rock Fair Play Award was inaugurated in 2024 as a new initiative, the award continues to grow internationally by partnering with more polo clubs around the world, gaining increasing recognition and inspiring polo players and teams to set the highest levels of excellence and integrity in the sport.
Standing Rock Polo Team, led by Swiss Patron Philipp Müller, has now pledged to support the presentation of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award by the HPA through the Victor Ludorum series in England and at Chantilly Polo Club in France; by the New Zealand Polo Association during the New Zealand Open; and most recently by the New South Wales Polo Association in Australia.
The NSWPA will present the points-based award to the team that demonstrates exceptional conduct, sportsmanship and horsemanship throughout its autumn high-goal series. The umpires and tournament committees will evaluate each of the teams in every game across all three tournaments at Ellerston, Garangula and Windsor Polo Club, and the team with the highest average score from the games played will be awarded the trophy at the final of the Morton Cup.
Teams will be judged based on the following specific criteria:
1. Team displaying the best sportsmanship
For example:
○ shaking hands before and after the game
○ respecting the opposition team
○ assisting an opposing player who drops his/her mallet
○ admitting when ball was out or when it was a goal for the other team
2. Best conduct towards umpires
For example:
○ respecting the umpires and their decisions
○ no arguing
○ respecting goal judges
○ only the Captain speaking
○ thanking the umpires whatever the outcome
○ providing a suitable umpire pony
○ no public criticism of umpires after games
3. Best discipline on and off the field
For example:
○ no shouting or cursing
○ no whipping of ponies or other welfare issues
○ being on time
○ showing a sporting attitude with positive body language
○ good care of ponies including offering water after the game
○ helpful attitude and action with all officials and other teams
○ demonstrating the core values the award represents
The collaboration between NSWPA and Standing Rock will see the Standing Rock Fair Play Award be a perpetual trophy competed for annually, encouraging values of camaraderie and respect between teams and players on and off the field, as well as setting an example to promote the highest standards of horse welfare in polo.