The USPA Polo Pony Breeding Committee has chosen the Big Horn Polo Club in Sheridan, Wyoming, to run a proof-of-concept program this summer during the Pacific Northwest Circuit Governor’s Cup (Shane Winkler Memorial) tournament from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 20. USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong tasked the committee, made up of diverse members of the polo community, with revitalizing American polo pony breeding and horsemanship in the United States. The committee explored various options and ultimately concluded that the creation of an incentivized registry was the essential starting point. An incentivized registry, the American Polo Pony Registry, will provide a platform for the polo community to connect. The registry will offer a way to track existing horses in the U.S. and serve as the foundation for future growth. It will also provide financial rewards to the top horses, breeders and trainers. This summer, the committee will pilot a limited prize payout system to evaluate its practicality, identify any logistical challenges and gather meaningful feedback from participating players.
Big Horn Polo Club, already a breeding hub for American polo horses, provides an ideal grassroots starting point for the initiative. Over $20,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top horses and their owners during the tournament, with funds drawn primarily from sponsorship and participation fees tied specifically to the horse awards program. A record eight teams are entered in the tournament—the largest number of teams in the event’s history.
The incentivized registry will offer a way to track existing horses in the U.S. and serve as the foundation for future growth. ©Tequila Sunsets Photography
Participation in the prize program is optional and separate from the tournament entry itself. Players had the option to enter individually for a $200 entry fee or as a full team for a discounted rate of $600. All entry fees go directly into the prize purse and all horses played by registered participants are eligible for awards. If every team chooses to participate, the prize fund could increase by up to an additional $4,800. Team and individual entries are now closed.
Players who choose to participate must provide the committee with all known information about the horses they will play, including whether the horse is foreign or American-born, its lineage and any previous accolades. The information will be documented and made available to the selected judges and announcer throughout the tournament. Additionally, each participant will receive six free registrations in the American Polo Pony Registry once it is established, along with a voucher containing details of the offer.
Over $20,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top horses and their owners during the tournament, with funds drawn primarily from sponsorship and participation fees tied specifically to the horse awards program. ©Tequila Sunsets Photography
Forty percent of the total prize money will be awarded to the Best String of the Tournament, as determined by a vote of tournament participants. Two awards will be presented, Best Amateur String and Best Professional String, with each receiving an equal share.
Thirty percent of all money raised will be awarded to the Best Playing Pony of the finals. A panel of three judges, selected by the committee, will determine the winners. Two awards will be presented, Best Amateur Horse and Best Professional Horse, with each receiving an equal amount.
The remaining thirty percent will be awarded to the Best American-Bred Horse of the Tournament. Foreign-born horses are not eligible for this award. A panel of three judges, selected by the committee, will determine the winners. Prize money will be distributed across three placements: first place will receive 50 percent, second place will receive 30 percent and third place will receive 20 percent of the allocation for this category.
The American Polo Pony Registry Committee is led by Committee Chair Whistle Uys and Vice-Chairman Chloe Torres, with staff support from Justin Powers. Committee members include Troy Lequerica, Daniel Pike, Steve Krueger and Gillian Johnston. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Chloe Torres at chloe.bourgeois12@gmail.com or Troy Lequerica at troylequerica@icloud.com. Follow the American Polo Pony Registry on Instagram at @americanpolopony for the lastest news.