US Polo Association creates review committee

Apr 26, 2009 1 min read

WELLINGTON (AP) – The United States Polo Association says it will examine safeguards for polo horses, including developing a prohibited substance policy.

During the association’s semi-annual meeting Saturday, the USPA Board of Governors approved the establishment of a review committee to examine the practices and policies of other equestrian organizations “as well as examine existing protections for horses and possible improvements including the establishment of a prohibited substance policy,” Peter Rizzo, USPA executive director, said in a statement.

The decision comes after 21 polo horses from a Venezuelan-owned team died last week after being injected with a mixture of vitamins and minerals.

Team owner Victor Vargas says the team will “miss our horses terribly,” but is focused on continuing to play polo.