SUPA join forces with the Junior HPA to re-establish 4 chukka Polo for Schools.

Trialled in 2011 by Jane Phelps and John Gale,  with varying degrees of success, the Development Committee of the HPA asked SUPA to help re-organise, under the Schools banner, a,  4 Chukka National Schools League to augment the existing Junior HPA and Pony Club Polo programmes which take place in the holidays.

It was only natural that the large number of playing institutions, who regularly play in Schools Championships, would have a number of young players who would be able to play 4 chukka Polo. The task would be to insure a level playing field for those who can and to fit in to the existing School bi-lateral arrangements. Taking forward the best ideas of 2011, a new joint committee with many years experience has been formed to do this.

This Championship will run alongside the existing SUPA Championships which as always prove very popular.

A re-vamped Championship has been arranged with 10 Schools taking part in two Leagues, with most matches arranged within existing agreement. For those who can’t arrange fixtures, several dates fitting into the SUPA calendar are on offer.

Millfield

Harrow

Wellington

Cheltenham

Shrewsbury

Stowe

These League matches will be played by bi-lateral arrangement between the participants, at a venue of choice and will count as per HPA Rules on League matches. Win, draw, loss, Goals For, against and difference (see Annex E -  HPA Blue Book).    The dates, times and venues of all matches are to be emailed to the organiser on the day of play, and results and League standings posted weekly on the SUPA website.

All matches are to be umpired by an HPA umpire (grade B) and SUPA rules on polo helmets, spurs, and ambulance cover must be adhered to.

Matches will be recorded both as Open and Handicap, after the League fixtures are complete (This must be by 10th June 2012), the top two Open teams in each League will play a crossover Semi Finals on 17th June at Royal Leamington Spa Polo Club, with the winners playing in the Finals of the Open on the 24th June, again at RLS while the National Schools Championships are taking place.    The top two teams in the handicap section of each league taken from the teams that are not playing in the semi-finals of the Open will play their semi-finals on June 17th and finals on June 24th along with the Open.

Continuing the ethos of SUPA, “Polo for all” there are many students who attend non polo playing institutions or at one where a 4 chukka team is not entered.  Realising this a Combined 4 Chukka Championship is also being instigated, with matches being played at SUPA/Institution led rules and not individual parent led. 

Eligibility:  Only bone-fide students at the School they represent may play. There is no limit to the number of players in the squad; however SUPA must have a list of all players.  Players may “double shirt” but must be aware of handicap restrictions.  Players who play in the Semi Finals may not play in the National Schools Championships on 24th June.   Please note: All players to be registered and handicapped with the HPA before they play.  “S” Handicapped players will be allowed to play as long as they have successfully passed the HPA Rules Theory Test.