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O P I N I O N
limit for the USPA in April, which will
encourage financial discipline and internal
efficiency as pressure grows to increase
spending as well as fixing the mark for an
endowed organisation. We continue to make
marked progress in ‘endowing’ the USPA
and its operating expenses solely from
a public securities portfolio; this objective
should be accomplished in the next several
years. Additionally, we will be proposing
the earmarking of certain projected future
cash inflows to fund specific items that have
been ‘crisis managed’ and we are in the
process of passing a two-thirds super
majority voting policy for major capital
expenditures and purchases.
C O M P E T I T I O N / O T H E R
We have elevated and expanded competition
and participation level for American players
in the CV Whitney, USPA Gold Cup and US
Open Polo Championship tournaments by
lowering the handicap from 26 to 22 goals
and thus reenacting the ‘American’ rule.
A comprehensive three-year agreement with
the International Polo Club Palm Beach has
been structured; this addresses not only polo
competition that includes unprecedented
prize money awards, but also includes
the USPA’s positioning to enhance the
intellectual property and branding of
the USPA marks,strengthening the
promotion and awareness of the sport.
Efforts continue to strengthen and broaden
ties and collaboration with the leaders of the
Hurlingham Polo Association, the Argentine
Polo Association and the Federation of
International Polo whereby we all play and
abide by the same or similar rules. Efforts
are also underway to revisit and strengthen
interaction with the Polo Training
Foundation, Museum of Polo and Hall of
Fame and other polo related charities. We
are also actively seeking ways to further
enhance the prestige and value of USPA
tournaments by awarding them to deserving
clubs and implementing a program to
provide matching funds for prize money.
F U T U R E I N I T I AT I V E S
On the agenda for the near future are the
following initiatives:
• Get the USPA horse-breeding registry
organised and operating.
• Continue to consult with management
and executive staff to create
operational efficiencies.
• Propose a matching funds program
to stimulate consistent funding for
international events. For example,
Federation of International Polo,
Westchester Cup, Camacho Cup,
Cup of the Americas and
Chip Campbell (centre)
with Gil and Skey
Johnston in Wyoming
B O B B I ST R I B L I N G
