UKPA Multi-Horse Trial 2021
Background
During the 2019 Open Forum, a discussion point was submitted to consider allowing players to use more than one horse at tournament that would be a replacement of our existing multi-horse approach. The proposal created was to allow only A Grade teams being able to use a combination of 12 horses. Following the Open Forum, further work was done on the proposal however there was concern around the operational aspect of this and significant complexity and impact to making this approach work so further options were being considered.
In 2020, as a result of COVID and a disrupted season, the UKPA Executive agreed that the three grass tournaments that ran could allow players to use any number of horses during the tournament as we were dealing with changing timescales and requirements and recognised the additional flexibility multi-horse gave them at that current time.
There are clearly lots of positives to allowing members to use as many horses as they like during a tournament however there will also be some concerns about what this means to our sport more broadly and is something we wish to discuss with clubs and their members in more detail before making any further changes to this.
The early tournaments of 2021 (Kent, Limemere and Rugby) have used a variety of different approaches and following a discussion with Club Chairs and Secretaries on the 14 June, we have agreed to formalise a trial for the remainder of the season.
Proposal
From the 15 June, we will trial a change to our existing multi-horse rule for the grass tournaments and the A grade only.
Each tournament organiser has been consulted and the following have agreed to participate in this trial, at the following events.
– UKPA Event (10-11 July)
– Highlanders Tournament (17-18 July)
– Arden Tournament (7-8 August)
– UKPA Nationals (28-29 August)
– Late Season (18-19 September)
For all other divisions, the regular rule of one horse per tournament will now be followed for the remainder of the grass season.
PLEASE READ THE FULL MULTI-HORSE TRIAL DOCUMENT AThttps://ukpolocrosse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Multi-Horse-Trial-2021-Guidance.pdf
If you have any concerns of thoughts regarding this there will be a survey published to the membership during the trial. Alternatively you may contact Chris Milburn who will be helping within this working group – international@ukpolocrosse.co.uk