General

Members and visitors are asked to assist in maintaining the general appearance of Westcroft Park Polo Club by placing any litter in the bins provided or taking it home with them.

Dogs must be always kept under control and on a lead in the vicinity of car park, clubhouse, pony lines or any social area. You are welcome to use the fields to walk them loose away from other dogs.  Dogs must be immediately put on a lead if requested to do so by a member of the Westcroft Park staff.

Facilities offered by Westcroft Park Polo Club will be available for use subject to weather conditions and availability.

It is a condition of use of the club facilities that each person agrees to being photographed and/or recorded by film, video, television cameras, and sound equipment at all times when present at the club and agree to surrender all rights in respect of such photographs and/or recordings.

Horses to be taken at a WALK in all places where there is a risk of blind collision. Please proceed with caution in particular at the entrance/exit gate on Windlesham Road

Parking & Driving

No cars or trucks to park on the playing fields, for however short a time, unless instructed to do so by Westcroft Park staff during events.

Vehicle speed limit of 10mph on ALL Westcroft Park premises.

Security

Please ensure vehicles are locked and valuables kept out of sight. Report any strangers who you think have no reason to be on the premises to a member of Westcroft Park staff.

The Clubhouse will be locked at 19:00, however the Marquee always remains open. Please make sure your belongings are removed from the clubhouse before 19:00.

Westcroft Park will not be held responsible for any personal property left or damaged on the premises at any time.

Professionals and grooms using the Club grounds after 18:00 must take responsibility for closing and locking the Grounds gate.

Bookings

You must call the polo office or in advance to check availability of grounds and arena.

Pony hire bookings for stick and ball, lessons, challenges, and matches should be made at least 48 hours in advance.

All chukkas MUST be booked by 16:00 the day prior. Late bookings may not be accepted. Challenges, practices, and ground hire bookings must be made with at least 48 hours’ notice.

Tournaments & Matches

Abusive or obscene language, unnecessarily rough riding, or dangerous play will not be tolerated at Westcroft Park Polo Club. The umpire or instructor's decision will be final in all disputes.

Tournament entries will be accepted only on receipt of full payment of entry fees, including any umpire pony hire and match chukka hire.

Tournament entries including payment as outlined above must be received by the deadline as set for that specific tournament.

Challenge entries must be confirmed with the polo manager no less than 48 hours prior to play. Unconfirmed or incomplete teams after this deadline will be asked to re-schedule for a future date, therefore enabling the polo office to confirm polo schedules for other players and clients.

All players should be available to umpire or referee other matches in the tournament if asked to do so by the polo manager. All teams are required to provide umpire ponies, tacked as for polo, for the matches that they play.

Please try to avoid cancelling from club chukkas on the same day. In unavoidable circumstances, you may be asked to find a replacement for your place in the chukkas and allow them to ride your ponies if necessary. You may still be liable for chukka fees.

Equipment & Dress Code

Polo helmets MUST be worn at all times when on a horse. NO exceptions.

Those not wearing a helmet will be asked to dismount and retrieve their helmet.

Club Chukkas

Players must wear whites, appropriate polo boots, and knee pads.

Players must wear the appropriate coloured shirt as indicated by the chukka list. Those who show up in incorrect colours may be fined £40.

Horse & Welfare

Horses should be correctly turned out for polo, and be in a fit condition to play the level of polo required of them. Welfare issues and concerns to be reported to the polo manager.

Polo Grounds

Please contact the polo manager to see which grounds are available for stick and ball or lessons.  Horses must not be schooled on any of the polo grounds.

DO NOT go onto a ground that has been designated as CLOSED.

Damage to Westcroft Park Property

Report any breakages or repairs needed to the polo manager. Where appropriate, the patron or professional will be charged for the repairs necessary or for negligent breakage.

Penalties & Fines

The following system is in place to penalise those failing to respect the rules:

First noncompliance of any rule results in verbal request by Westcroft Staff to adhere to the rule.

Second noncompliance of the same rule results in a £10 fine.

Third noncompliance of the same rule results in a written warning and a £50 fine.

Horses

Horses are our most important teammates in polo, but they cannot speak up for themselves. It is important that we don't put our wants above their needs. Without them, we cannot play, so we must look after them carefully and with kindness. Think of how to treat your horse kindly, both on the ground and while riding. Understand when you are asking a horse to do something kindly, and when you are asking it to do something in a way that would cause pain: this is not acceptable and not a trait of a good player.

Encouraging Spirit

Polo is a team sport, and we play to have fun. Speak kindly and constructively to each other, because the best players understand that they must co-operate with others to play well. Each player on the field is trying their best and wants to improve, so we speak to encourage others. Whether others are better or worse than you, we are all teammates and want everyone to improve, so use words positively and not negatively.

Good Sportsmanship Always

Every player will win, and every player will lose. It is important to do both with grace. Good players understand that the game sometimes does not go their way and use it as motivation to improve. Good players also understand that when they win, it is not a time to gloat or brag. You are expected to shake every player's hand after each game as a sign of good sportsmanship and gratitude - without the opposing team you could not play, so you must always thank them for their time and stiff opposition.

Respect Rules & Officials

The umpire and coaches have the final say while playing and expect to be listened to. Good players do not talk back or ignore instructions and use fouls as an opportunity to learn. 

Understanding the rules of polo and keeping control of your emotions during play is an important part of improving. 

There are many people involved in allowing you to play polo: the grooms who look after the horses, the coaches who teach you, the umpires who ensure you play safely, your parents who drive you and watch you, the managers and officials who organise the opportunities for you to play, the grounds staff who prepare and maintain the fields. It is important to remember to speak with respect and gratitude to all the staff involved, because without them, you could not play. 

Good players recognise that polo takes a lot of people's effort to make happen and appreciate the hard work and skill of all involved. You are expected to thank the groom's each time they bring you or collect your pony and thank the umpire after play.