Rule 2 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules

Mounts and equipment

Which horses may play in the arena, the vision rule, the shoes and tack allowed, and when umpires take a horse out of the game.

1. 2a

   What a mount is

   A mount is a horse or a pony of any breed and size.

2. 2b

   Vision

   A mount with no vision in one or both eyes may not be played in any Event (as the term “Event” is defined in the USPA Tournament Conditions). Any player who intends to play a mount in goggles or protective eyewear or a mount which exhibits any likelihood of having impaired vision (e.g., a mount which has scarring on one or both eyes or a mount which exhibits behavior consistent with having no vision in one or both eyes) must file at least twenty-four (24) hours before the Event a Vision Report Form with the USPA which has been completed by a licensed equine veterinarian confirming that the horse has vision in both eyes before the mount will be allowed to play in any Event. The Umpire(s) may ask any player who plays or seeks to play a mount in goggles or protective eyewear or a mount which exhibits any likelihood of having impaired vision to confirm that he or she has filed a properly completed Vision Report Form with the USPA. Any player who falsely confirms to the Umpire(s) that he or she has filed a properly completed Vision Report Form with the USPA will be subject to the issuance of a Conduct Violation Complaint by the USPA. The Umpire(s) may remove from any Event any mount in goggles or any mount which exhibits any likelihood of having impaired vision for which a player refuses or is unable to confirm to the Umpire(s) that he or she has filed a properly completed Vision Report Form with the USPA. Any removal of a mount from an Event due to violation of this rule will result in a red card for the player riding the mount. Any subsequent removal of that same mount from that same Event or a later Event for a violation of this rule will result in the issuance of a Conduct Violation Complaint by the USPA against the player playing the mount.

3. 2c

   Vice and control

   A mount showing vice or not under proper control shall be excluded from the game.

4. 2d

   Nothing that blocks the horse's sight

   Shadow rolls, blinkers or any other device which might obscure the mount’s vision shall not be used.

5. 2e

   Shoes and calks

   Shoes with an outer rim, toe grip, screws or frost nails are not allowed. Heel calks are allowed on hind shoes only and should be dull, without sharp edges and no greater than one inch from the surface of the shoe that touches the horse’s foot to the tip of the calk. The penalty for a violation of Rule 2.e during a game by a player or team shall be a red card for the player. If, within 24 hours after a game, the Umpire(s), a Referee, or the Host Tournament Committee is presented with conclusive physical evidence (including, but not limited to, photographic or video evidence) that a player has violated Rule 2.e during the game, and the violation was not detected during the game, the penalty shall be a red card for the player. Unlike many other penalties which the Umpire(s) may elect not to exact, this penalty must be exacted, whether during or after a game.

6. 2e interpretation

   It is recommended that when necessary, players use removable calks because they are considered less intrusive.

7. 2e example

   Impermissible – Sharp Heel Calk: Permissible – Dull Heel Calk: Of the calk styles below, only E, I, J and N are permissible, provided they aren’t too long:

8. 2f

   One horse, one team

   Unless announced as a “split string” event, no mount may be played by more than one team. Unlike many other penalties which the Umpire(s) may elect not to exact, the penalty for violation of this rule, which is forfeiture, must be exacted if a Referee, an Umpire, or a member of the Host Tournament Committee is notified of or otherwise becomes aware of the violation prior to 24 hours after the violation took place.

9. 2g

   Blood and unfit horses

   A mount may be removed from the game if there is blood in its mouth, or on its flanks, or anywhere on its body. If, in the opinion of the Umpire(s), a mount is deemed physically unfit from exhaustion, distress, lameness, excessive sweating, and/or laboring breathing, the Umpire(s) may remove the mount for the remainder of the period or the entire game.

10. 2g example

    When play is stopped, the Umpire notices blood on one of the flanks of the Red #2’s mount. The blood is wiped from the horse, the spurs are removed by the direction of the Umpires (Rule 3.a(3)) and the chukker continues. If the bleeding resumes, the horse should be removed.

11. 2h

    Body condition

    A mount that does not score a 4, 5, or 6 on the scale set forth in the USPA Body Condition Score Chart (i.e., the Henneke scale) (see page 321) may be removed from the game.

12. 2i

    Leg protection

    Leg protection of the pony by boots or bandages shall be used on the front legs and is recommended on the hind legs.