Wed 2nd Jan 2019Mid Season Arena Handicap ChangesHPA ratifies changes
The Hurlingham Polo Association have ratified the mid season arena handicap changes, which came into effect on Wednesday 2 January. There have been 20 changes in total, with the most notable changes happening at the higher end of the spectrum. Former 10 goal arena international Chris Hyde has been reduced in handicap from 9 to 8 goals, whilst HPA umpire and arena regular Tim Bown has also seen his handicap demoted, from 5 to 4 goals. Chris Hyde’s eldest son Jack has seen his handicap raised from 5 to 6 goals, whilst in the lower echelons, two players have seen their handicaps raised by two goals, Dorian Bulteau from 3 to 5 goals and Edward Williams from -1 to 1 goals respectively. To view the complete list, please click here. Furthermore, the HPA has amended a number of rules following a meeting in late December. The changes are as follows: 1. Blocking – When the play is resumed with a hit after a break in play or when a goal is scored, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride-off or block an opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter. If the ball is left for a team mate following, the player leaving it may not ride-off or block an opponent attempting to make a play on the player who has been left with the ball. 2. Whips – Whips must not be more than 48 inches long including any tag. Broken whips are not allowed. 3. Use of the whip – Any use of the whip by a player must be appropriate, proportionate and professional and only when the ball is in play. A whip may only be carried in a player’s left hand and unless there are exceptional circumstances a player may not take that hand off the reins to use the whip. No part of the whip may be raised above the height of the player’s shoulder prior to striking. Any infringement of the above will result in an automatic yellow flag and an appropriate penalty. For more information about either the handicap or rule changes, please click here. |