Sound, Settled and Ready
Every player who joins the League commits to our welfare charter: no horse is played if it isn't sound, settled and ready, and no rider is permitted to compromise a horse's welfare for competitive advantage, full stop.
Horse Welfare
The Horses Come First
Horse welfare in the Champion Pride Polo League is non-negotiable, enforced through our welfare charter, full HPA governance, and HPA-licensed officiating at every match.
On The Field
Best Playing Pony
One pony per match is recognised as the standout of the field. It is how Champion Pride puts the horse at the centre of the sport.
Champion Pride sponsors the award. The standout pony receives the navy Champion Pride rug.
Welfare Charter
Every Rider Commits to the Same Welfare Standard. Enforced by the League, Upheld by HPA Officiating.
Champion Pride Polo League operates fully under Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) rules and governance. Every match is umpired by HPA-licensed officials. The standards below are the additional steps we take within that framework.
The Same Standard on Every Horse
Most players compete on their own horses or through hirelings arranged with our host clubs. We don't retrain or own the horses on the pitch, what we control is the standard every rider is held to, and the officiating that enforces it.
Matched to Experience
Riders are matched to teams and guided towards host clubs and hireling arrangements suited to their experience, so nobody is put on a horse, or into a level of competition, beyond what they can responsibly manage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is This a Professional League?
No, Champion Pride is a mixed amateur polo circuit, built specifically for peer-to-peer competition. Without professionals dictating the pace, players stay fully involved in every play and get to test their own horsemanship against like-minded competitors.
Do I Need an Existing HPA Handicap or Polo Club Membership to Apply?
Not necessarily. Qualification is based on commitment and horsemanship, not your existing handicap. Details of membership, fixtures and fees will be published when the 2028 season opens.
Is There a Patron Model, or Can I Buy My Way Onto a Team?
No. There's no patron model and no private team ownership. Every player enters through the same assessment and draft process, regardless of what they can spend.
Is This a Weekly Commitment or a Structured Tournament?
A structured, competitive league rather than casual weekend chukkas. Details of membership, fixtures and fees will be published when the 2028 season opens.
Are Hirelings Included, and How Do I Organise Them?
You can bring your own horses or use hirelings. Whichever you play, the welfare charter you commit to as a rider is what the League enforces. Details of membership, fixtures and fees will be published when the 2028 season opens.
Is It Safe to Play Without Professionals Managing the Pitch?
Safety and welfare are our highest priorities. All matches are officiated by HPA-licensed umpires who hold full authority on the pitch.
Do Hireling Horses Need to Go Through Champion Pride's Retraining Process?
No. The League doesn't own or retrain horses; most players compete on their own horses or on hirelings. What every rider commits to is the welfare charter: how you're expected to treat and manage the horse you're given, regardless of its background.
How Does the Application and Assessment Process Work?
Registrations are reviewed when the 2028 season opens. Qualification is based on commitment and horsemanship, not your existing handicap.
Every Ride Tells a Story