Membership and Participation Rules

Title I – Membership

Art. 1 – Who may join

1. The section is open to members of ENSI Social APS who share its aims and accept these rules. Those who are not yet ENSI members submit the application for admission to ENSI together with the application to join the section.

2. Admission follows the rules of the ENSI statute: the competent body decides, without discrimination, and any rejection must state its reasons.

3. Minors join by means of an application signed by whoever holds parental responsibility.

Art. 2 – Categories

The section provides for the following membership categories:

Category	Who it is for	What it includes
Playing member	those who play or want to learn to play	sports activities, school and clinics on members-only terms, participation in club life
Supporting member	enthusiasts, families, professionals, friends of the horse	members-only events, meetings, updates, participation in club life
Junior member	girls and boys up to the age of 18	introductory and school programmes under the rules of FISE (Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri, the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation) for young riders

The Board of ENSI may establish other categories (for example for families or for volunteers) by resolution.

Art. 3 – Fees

1. Membership fees and contributions for activities are set each year by the Board of ENSI and published on the website. For the first year they are to be defined.

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Playing member	to be defined	does not include FISE registration, horses, instructors or competition entries
Supporting member	to be defined
Junior member	to be defined

2. The fee is annual, personal and non-transferable; it is not refundable, unless otherwise resolved.

3. Activities involving third-party horses, instructors and facilities have their own costs, communicated before registration.

Art. 4 – Section card

Members belonging to the section are issued with a section card, which may also be digital, valid for the membership year. The section card is not a sports licence or permit and does not replace FISE registration.

Art. 5 – Rights and duties

1. Members belonging to the section have the rights provided for by the ENSI statute and may:

• take part in the section’s activities under the conditions established;
• propose initiatives to the Section Manager and to the Section Committee;
• receive information on the activities, on the section’s accounts and on events.

2. Members undertake to:

• comply with the ENSI statute, the section’s regulations and FISE rules;
• pay the fees within the deadlines;
• comply with the code of ethics, the horse welfare charter and the safety rules set out in these rules.

Art. 6 – Withdrawal, lapse and exclusion

1. Members may leave the section at any time by written notice.

2. Failure to pay the fee within the deadline results in lapse of membership of the section.

3. Exclusions follow the ENSI statute and the procedure in Title VII, with respect for the right to be heard.

Art. 7 – Non-member participants

1. Non-members may also take part in activities open to the public (taster days, clinics, events), by registering and, where applicable, paying a contribution.

2. Non-member participants also accept the code of ethics and the safety rules and, for mounted activities, meet the requirements of art. 8.

Title II – Sports registration and requirements

Art. 8 – Requirements for mounted activities

1. Only those who hold the following may ride:

• the FISE registration, rider’s licence or permit required for that activity;
• the medical certification required for non-competitive or competitive sports activity;
• for minors, the authorisation of whoever holds parental responsibility.

2. Taster days without registration take place only in the forms and with the insurance cover permitted by FISE and by the host facility.

3. Playing level and handicap are those assigned by FISE or by FIP (the Federation of International Polo); the section does not assign them.

Art. 9 – Insurance

1. Members and participants are covered by the insurance provided under their sports registration and by the insurance taken out by ENSI for individual activities, within the limits of the policies.

2. Owners and keepers of horses hold their own third-party liability insurance for damage caused by the animals.

Title III – Code of ethics

Art. 10 – Principles

Everyone who takes part in Arena Polo Club activities undertakes to:

• play with loyalty and fair play, respecting opponents, teammates, umpires, officials, grooms, volunteers and spectators;
• always put the safety of people and the welfare of horses first;
• reject all forms of discrimination, harassment, abuse or violence, whether physical or verbal, including online;
• comply with anti-doping rules for athletes and for horses (WADA code, NADO Italia and the applicable regulations of FISE and of the FEI, the International Equestrian Federation);
• not take part in betting on competitions in which they take part, and not tamper with how they unfold;
• declare conflicts of interest (for example with sponsors, suppliers or horse owners);
• use the club’s brand and name only as provided for in the Media kit;
• behave with restraint outside the arena too: in hospitality areas, on social media and with the press;
• respect the environment and the places that host the events.

Art. 11 – Protection of minors and vulnerable persons

1. In activities involving minors, at least two responsible adults are always present; exclusive and non-transparent relationships between adults and minors are not permitted.

2. If the section operates within the sports system, ENSI adopts the organisational model and appoints the officer against abuse, violence and discrimination provided for by art. 16 of D.Lgs. 39/2021 (Legislative Decree) and by FISE rules.

3. Reports are sent to ENSI (info@ensi.it or ensi@registerpec.it) and handled in confidence, with no retaliation against those who report in good faith.

Title IV – Horse Welfare Charter

Art. 12 – The horse comes first

The welfare of the horse comes before any sporting result and any commercial or entertainment requirement. The section draws on the laws on animal protection, the veterinary regulations of FISE and the welfare principles of the FEI and FIP.

Art. 13 – Requirements for horses

Only horses that are the following may take part in activities:

• identified with an identification document (passport) and microchip, and registered as required by law;
• up to date with the vaccinations, checks and health tests required by law and by FISE;
• in good health, fit and suited to arena polo in terms of age, training and temperament;
• fitted with suitable tack and protective equipment in good condition.

Art. 14 – During activities and events

• Veterinary inspection before events and a vet on call or on site during play, in accordance with FISE rules.
• Number of chukkas per horse and rest periods in accordance with the rules of play and the instructions of the vet, who may stop a horse at any time.
• Water, shade and rest: stabling or horse lines in the shade, fresh water always available, hosing down and cooling.
• Heat: when temperature and humidity are high, schedules are moved to the evening, and activities are shortened or suspended.
• Arena surface: sand prepared, levelled and watered to prevent injuries and dust.
• Whip and spurs: only in the ways permitted by the rules; any excessive use is prohibited and penalised.
• Transport: planned journeys, rest stops, suitable vehicles and trained staff.
• Injuries: an injured horse receives immediate care, in a reserved area away from the public.

Art. 15 – Retirement

The section promotes a dignified retirement for polo horses, including through awareness initiatives and collaboration with those who rehome them.

Art. 16 – Welfare Officer and reports

The Horse Welfare Officer (a veterinary surgeon) oversees compliance with this charter. Anyone may report improper conduct to the Officer through ENSI.

Title V – Safety

Art. 17 – Equipment

In the arena, an approved helmet with face guard or grille, boots and knee pads are compulsory; gloves and eye protection are recommended. FISE requirements remain unaffected.

Art. 18 – Arena and activities

1. Activities take place only in arenas whose boards and surface are in good condition, as checked before every session by the person in charge of the activity.

2. Spectators always remain outside the arena, behind the barriers and in the designated areas.

3. Every event has a safety and emergency plan, adequate first-aid cover and a safety officer.

4. The person in charge of the activity suspends play in the event of dangerous weather conditions, an unsuitable surface or danger to people or horses.

Art. 19 – Alcohol and substances

Riding under the influence of alcohol or of substances that impair one’s abilities is prohibited. In hospitality areas, alcoholic drinks are served in compliance with the law and never to minors.

Title VI – Personal data and images

Art. 20 – Personal data

1. The data controller is ENSI Social APS, Via Guido Banti 34, 00191 Roma (info@ensi.it, ensi@registerpec.it).

2. The data of members and participants (personal details, contact details, sports registration, fees, any medical certificates and horse data) are processed to manage membership and activities, to fulfil legal and insurance obligations and to communicate with members, as described in the privacy notice.

3. Health data are processed only when required by law or by sports rules, by authorised persons, and kept for as long as necessary.

4. The data are disclosed only to those who need them for the activities (for example FISE for registration, insurers, facilities and event organisers appointed as data processors).

Art. 21 – Photos and videos

1. Photos and videos may be taken during events to document and communicate the club’s activities. The public is informed of this by notices at the event venues.

2. Images in which a person is recognisable as the main subject, and images of minors, are published only with the consent of the person concerned or of whoever holds parental responsibility.

Title VII – Reports, measures and complaints

Art. 22 – Procedure

1. Breaches of these rules are reported to the Section Manager, who forwards them to the Board of ENSI.

2. The Board notifies the facts in writing to the person concerned, who may submit their arguments within fifteen days, including by asking to be heard.

3. Depending on the seriousness of the breach, the Board may decide on a written warning, suspension from the section’s activities or a proposal for exclusion in accordance with the ENSI statute.

4. In the event of danger to people or horses, the person in charge of the activity may immediately remove a person or a horse from the arena.

5. The powers of the FISE sports justice bodies remain unaffected for matters within their competence.

Art. 23 – Complaints

Members and participants may submit complaints and suggestions by writing to ENSI. A reply is given within thirty days.

Title VIII – Final provisions

Art. 24 – Amendments and entry into force

These rules 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.

Annex – Application to join the ‘Arena Polo Club’ section