Rule 4 · USPA Rulebook 2026

Player equipment

What a player must wear, from the certified helmet to white breeches and team colours.

1. 4a

   Helmet and eye protection

   No player may participate in any USPA Event or Club Event in anything other than a proper uniform, including a protective helmet with a chin strap, which must be worn in the appropriate manner specified by the manufacturer of the helmet. No member of a team organization may mount a horse before, during or after a USPA Event anywhere within the safety zone, end zone or playing field unless equipped with a protective helmet with a chin strap, which must be worn in the appropriate manner specified by the manufacturer of the helmet. Players are strongly encouraged to wear eye protection at all times during play. Eye protection is mandatory for all players under the age of eighteen. Effective May 1, 2021, the protective helmet required by this rule for players must be certified to meet the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Polo Helmets. The protective helmet required by this rule for members of a team organization is not required to be certified to meet the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Polo Helmets.

2. 4a interpretations

   The protective helmet that is required beginning on May 1, 2021 by Rule 4.a for players in USPA Events and Club Events (i.e., a helmet certified to meet the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Polo Helmets) is recommended, but not required, for players and team organization members in all other mounted polo activities. Any player found by the Umpire(s) to be in violation of Rule 4.a shall be removed immediately from the game by the Umpire(s). Play shall be resumed with a delay of game penalty on the removed player’s team, the severity of which shall be determined by the Umpire(s) in his, her, or their discretion. The removed player may return to the game when he or she is in compliance with Rule 4.a, or a substitution may be made if the substitute is in compliance with the rule. All substitution rules shall apply. 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 4.a during the game, and the violation was not detected during the game, the penalty is forfeiture. Unlike many other penalties which the Umpire(s) may elect not to exact, this penalty must be exacted. The provision of Rule 4.a applying to “member[s] of a team organization” will be strictly enforced in all USPA Events. The first violation will result in a penalty being given to the team or teams violating the provision. Any subsequent violation will result in a penalty being given to the team violating the provision and a yellow card being given to the player who is playing the mount ridden by the team organization member responsible for that violation. If that player cannot be immediately identified, a yellow card will be given to that team’s Captain.

3. 4b

   Jerseys

   Unless they are granted an exception to this requirement from the Host Tournament Committee or the Host Club manager (if there is no Host Tournament Committee) and the Umpires agree in their sole discretion, teams shall wear jerseys with at least 75% of the visible surface area either a single dark color or a single light color which distinguish the players on one team from the players on another. If the colors of two teams competing in an Event are so alike as to lead to confusion, the team allowed to choose its colors for a particular game shall either be the team with the highest placement in the tournament draw or determined by lot if there is not clearly a higher placed team. Teams must be prepared to play in either dark or light jerseys at all events. The Host Tournament Committee may deem a particular jersey design choice unsuitable for an event in its sole discretion.

4. 4c

   Boots

   Players shall wear boots or boots and half-chaps that cover their calves.

5. 4d

   White breeches

   In any USPA Event, players shall wear white pants or breeches.

6. 4e

   Nothing sharp

   Sharp spurs, protruding buckles, or studs on a player’s boots or knee guards are not allowed.

7. 4f

   Protective vests

   Any protective vest worn outside a player’s jersey must be the same color as the jersey.