In order to preserve our presence at the park and act as excellent abdassadors for the sport of polo we have outlined a few rules to ensure a fun, friendly and safe environment in which players and ponies can learn and have fun! 

Florida Horse Park Rules:

1. Animals of any kind brought to the facility must observe all regulations of the State of Florida Animal Health Division, and for equines must include a valid proof of a Negative Coggins Test (within prior 12 months).
2. FHP requires all animals to be treated in a humane manner in accordance with state humane society guidelines.
3. Dogs must always be on a leash and under control of the handler.
4. All trash and manure must be disposed of in designated areas only.
5. All motorized vehicles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, golf carts, motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs, etc. shall be operated by a licensed driver.
6. Greywater or sewage dumping is not permitted.
7. No smoking in offices, stable pavilions, spectator pavilions, equine buildings, equipment, bleachers or arenas.
8. All obstacles/jumps on the cross-country course are only to be used on scheduled schooling days. (see our website at www.flhorsepark.com for a list of schooling days)
   Arenas (including grass, fiber, and covered) are not to be used unless scheduled in advance and approved.
9. Please report any damage to the facilities by calling (352) 307-6699 or email [email protected]
10. The Florida Horse Park reserves the right to remove dangerous, disruptive, or unlawful persons from the property.
11. Absolutely NO LUNGING IN THE COVERED ARENA, FIBER ARENAS, OR GRASS ARENAS. The small sand arenas northeast of the covered arena is designated for lunging.
12. Open campfires are not permitted. Fires should be in contained fire rings.
    Please have fun and be safe!

General Polo Rules:

1. EVERY HORSE coming to park property needs a current Coggins (Equine Infectious Anemia test) prior to arrival at the park. Please submit the Coggins of any horse you plan to bring to the park prior to its first practice to [email protected] and we will submit them to the park organizers.  Feel free to submit the Coggins of your entire string at the beginning of the season and any additional Coggins as the season progresses. An online submission form is also available at https://flhorsepark.com/
2. The Florida Horse Park is a PUBLIC VENUE for the promotion of ALL equine activities. We are expected to treat all horse disciplines and their riders, as well as park employees and the general public, with RESPECT. While you’re at the park you act as an ambassador for the sport of polo, please represent it well and be willing to answer questions.
3. The USPA rules of polo will be followed at all times.
4. Everyone involved in polo will be expected to wear a suitable helmet, as the manufacturer recommended, when mounted. This includes all players in chukkers and grooms on the sidelines and all others involved in polo.
5. Appropriate language, attitude and horsemanship will be expected at all times while at the Florida Horse Park. Please see the USPA Rule for Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Rule 33) which will be used as the guidelines for enforcement. Any incidents will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Please feel free to report incidents and not exacerbate them by engaging on the field or field-side.
6. Excessively aggressive and dangerous play will result in the player be asked to leave the field for the remainder of the chukker. If the behavior continues the player will be asked to leave practice. If this behavior becomes a habit the player may be asked to leave the club. 
7. Please be respectful of the Florida Horse Park and pick up and dispose of all trash (i.e. tail tape) before leaving the property.  Please be respectful of manure removal policies.
8. The organizers reserve the right to modify or add to these rules at any time. Rule changes will be announced by email.

Green Horse Chukker Rules:

1. If you look to play in green horse chukkers, on either a green horse or made horse, you must act appropriately and respectfully to all other players and horses.
2. Before the chukker starts all players are asked to identify if their horse is ready for contact or not. All players are expected to respect other rider’s wishes.
3. All bumping should be respectful, contact should be made at the shoulder and no approach should be made at greater than a 30 degree angle.
4. No screaming or yelling is allowed during green horse chukkers. Please keep in mind these horses are learning and the atmosphere should be amenable to their success.
5. Players should understand the speed of play will be determined by the green horses. Please be respectful that the horses are learning and being a part of green horse chukkers is a part of setting up a pony for a successful polo career.
6. If you determine your horse is not ready for play and wish to retire from the chukker, please inform the players you will be leaving the chukker. This will not be viewed as an offense – it will be viewed as good horsemanship – and your horse can return to practice when you feel it’s ready.
7. If your green horse is determined not ready for chukkers due to risks to other players or horses; play will be stopped, and a designated representative will respectfully ask you to retire from the chukker. In order to allow you time to better prepare your green horse, after the first incident the horse will be asked not to return for a one-week period. If a second incident occurs, the horse will be asked not to return for two weeks. If a third incident occurs we respectfully ask that the horse not be brought back to chukkers for the remainder of the season. These guidelines are to protect the horses and by extension their riders, because safety is our number one priority.  This should not be viewed as a punishment to the rider/trainer and will not impact their ability to bring made or ready green horses to practice.

Thank you for reading and we'll see you on the field!