Text proposed for approval by the Board of ENSI Social APS. It applies to all arena polo events organised or promoted by Arena Polo Club. The rules of play are not set out here: they are those of FISE – Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri (the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation) and of FIP – Federation of International Polo, adopted by reference. These regulations only add the rules on organisation and conduct of the club and its events.
Title I – Principles
Art. 1 – Scope
1. These regulations apply to matches, tournaments, exhibitions, promotional days and arena polo events organised by ENSI Social APS under the ‘Arena Polo Club’ brand, alone or with other organisers.
2. For each event, the conditions of entry or the programme state: organiser, venue, dates, format, any inclusion in the FISE calendar, entry fees and contacts. Until dates, venues and authorisations are confirmed, the event is presented as a proposal.
Art. 2 – Rules of play adopted by reference
1. Matches are played in accordance with the FISE polo regulations and the FIP arena polo rules in force on the date of the event, including the technical, veterinary, anti-doping and disciplinary rules.
2. In the event of discrepancies, the FISE regulations prevail for events in Italy; for events abroad, the rules of the competent national federation and of FIP prevail.
3. Arena Polo Club does not issue rules of play of its own. Any promotional formats (for example shorter exhibition matches) are stated in the programme and are permitted only if compatible with federal rules.
Art. 3 – Titles and names
Events do not use names reserved to FISE or FIP (‘Italian championship’ – campionato italiano, ‘national’ – nazionale, official titles) and do not display federal logos without written authorisation. Club trophies and prizes are awards of the event, not federal sporting titles.
Title II – Organisation
Art. 4 – Organiser and committee
1. Every event has a responsible organiser (ENSI or a partner organisation, named in the programme) and an organising committee with a safety officer, a horse welfare officer and a communications officer.
2. When the event is organised with a partner, a written agreement signed by ENSI sets out tasks, responsibilities, insurance, use of brands and the sharing of costs and revenues.
Art. 5 – Officials and services
1. Umpires, judges and officials are appointed in accordance with FISE rules.
2. During play, a medical service appropriate to the type of event and the event vet are present.
Art. 6 – Authorisations
Before announcing dates and venues as final, the organiser obtains, where required:
- clearance (nulla osta) from FISE or inclusion in the FISE calendar;
- the authorisations of the Municipality (use of public land, public entertainment and shows, arts. 68 and 80 TULPS – Consolidated Law on Public Security) and the opinion of the safety commission for public entertainment venues (commissione di vigilanza) on stands and temporary structures;
- for beaches, quaysides and port areas, the permit for state-owned maritime land (demanio marittimo) and the opinion of the Maritime or Port Authority;
- the health and veterinary authorisations for the use and stabling of horses and, if the arena is not one of the authorised facilities, those required for events involving equines by D.P.C.M. (Prime Ministerial Decree) 8 January 2025 (allowing for the time needed for the related approval procedure);
- the authorisations for serving food and drink, music, lighting and filming, where applicable.
Title III – Teams, players and horses
Art. 7 – Entries
1. Teams enter within the deadlines set in the conditions of entry, stating players, any reserves, handicaps and horses.
2. Players hold the registration and medical certification required by FISE (art. 8 of the Membership and Participation Rules).
3. Team composition and handicap limits follow federal rules and the conditions of entry of the event.
Art. 8 – Horses
1. Horses are identified, comply with health regulations and undergo the veterinary inspection required by FISE before play.
2. The number of chukkas per horse, rest periods and substitutions follow the rules of play and the instructions of the event vet, who may exclude a horse at any time.
3. The Horse Welfare Charter applies (Title IV of the Membership and Participation Rules).
Title IV – Arena and safety
Art. 9 – Arena
1. The dimensions, boards, goals and surface of the arena comply with the FISE and FIP arena polo rules.
2. Before the event, the organising committee, together with the technical director and the safety officer, checks the surface, drainage, irrigation, lighting, safety distances from the public, escape routes and access for emergency vehicles.
Art. 10 – Safety plan
Every event has a safety and emergency plan appropriate to the number of people expected, including the medical service, the area for injured horses, procedures for heat and bad weather and communications with the authorities.
Art. 11 – Weather, postponements and cancellations
The tournament director, after consulting the vet and the safety officer, may reschedule, shorten, suspend or cancel matches due to heat, wind, rain or an unsuitable surface. The rules on refunds and replays are set out in the conditions of entry or in the ticket terms and conditions.
Title V – Conduct
Art. 12 – In the arena
Players, grooms, technical staff and accompanying persons comply with the club’s Code of Ethics, the decisions of the officials and the rules on horse welfare. Protests and appeals follow FISE rules.
Art. 13 – Spectators and guests
1. Spectators remain in the designated areas, do not enter the arena or the horse areas and follow the instructions of staff.
2. Spectators’ animals are not permitted near the arena and the stables, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.
3. In hospitality areas, the rules of the venue and the responsible serving of alcoholic drinks apply.
Art. 14 – Press, photos and videos
1. Accredited photographers and video operators work in the areas designated by the organisers, at a safe distance from the arena, without flash directed at the horses and without unauthorised drones.
2. Filming during the event follows the rules on personal data and images in the Membership and Participation Rules.
Title VI – Partners, environment and local area
Art. 15 – Partners and sponsors
1. Partners’ names and logos appear in accordance with the agreements signed by ENSI and with the Media kit; they must not suggest endorsements, patronage or affiliations that do not exist.
2. The promotion of alcoholic drinks and other regulated products complies with the law and with self-regulatory codes.
Art. 16 – Environment and restoration
Every event provides for separate waste collection, limits on noise and lights at night, care of the surface and the complete restoration of the site (sand, grass, paving, beach) at the end of the event, in accordance with the agreements with those who granted its use.
Title VII – Final provisions
Art. 17 – Referral and entry into force
1. For matters not provided for, the regulations of FISE and FIP, the ENSI statute, the Section Regulations and the Membership and Participation Rules apply.
2. These regulations are approved and amended by the Board of ENSI and come into force upon the resolution approving them. Versions in other languages are courtesy translations: the Italian text prevails.