United States Polo Association v Scott Wood, patron of ERG
Earlier in the month a hearing took place at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, California, with the United States Polo Association bringing charges against Scott Wood, patron of ERG (winners of this year’s Bombardier Pacific Coast Open). The charges brought related to Conduct Violations of USPA Outdoor Rules 27(a), (b) and (c), 28 (c) and 33 (a) and (b). These rules relate to rough or abusive play, improper use of mallet and unsportsmanlike conduct. At the hearing Martin Munoz acted as Scott Wood’s representative, documents, witness testimony, photographs and a video were used as evidence of the incident in question.
The charges were brought following an incident on August 21st 2014 which resulted in Phil Heatley, Manager of High Goal Polo at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, sending a written complaint to the USPA about the actions of Scott Wood during a polo game between ERG and Luchesse, which was part of the Pacific Coast Open tournament. Scott Wood was alleged to have ‘screamed profanities and stuck Jeff Hall with a mallet and a scuffle ensued.’ Witness statements were given by: Jeff Hall, umpires Rick Sears and Matias Baibiene, Phil Heatley, Martin Munoz, Reme Muller, Jose Donoso and David Laminska.
Immediately after the incident the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club Disciplinary Committee penalised Scott Wood under their rules, suspending him from playing, or attending as a spectator, the game between ERG and Wildcat scheduled on 24th August 2014. He subsequently attended the match and was heard yelling at the umpires.
In the USPA hearing on 1st September, the Hearing Committee concluded that the rules listed had been violated and issued the following penalty: Scott Wood is banned from playing in any USPA Sanctioned Event or at any USPA Member Club for a period of 12 months (1st September 2014 – 31st August 2015) and placed on probation with the USPA for 12 months (1st September 2015 – 31st August 2016), if during his probation period he is charged with Rule violation at a USPA Event he will receive a minimum additional 6 months suspension from all USPA Events, Sanctioned tournaments and USAP Member Clubs. He was also ordered to pay the USPA costs of bringing the case and was publically censured for Rule violation with a copy of the Final Order being published in The Morning Line newsletter, Polo Player’s Edition Magazine and on the USPA website.