GENERAL RELEASE, LIABILITY WAIVER AND
ASSUMPTION OF ALL RISK AND LIABILITY
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR, AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL,
OR ANY OTHER PERSON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR DEATH OF A
PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM THE INTRINSIC DANGERS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.
Proper execution of the following General Release, Liability Waiver and Assumption of All Risk
and Liability by the undersigned is a prerequisite to the undersigned or the undersigned’s minor child or
legal ward (“Participant”) being able to take part in any and all polo and related activities as a rider,
polo player, boarder, guest, visitor, spectator, or participant in any equine or related social event or
otherwise in connection with horse care, horseback riding, polo instruction, the playing of polo or any
horse or farm-related activities (“Polo Activities”) sponsored by or taking place at the Virginia Polo
Center a/k/a the Forest Lodge facility (the “Virginia Polo Center”) and/or by all related organizations
including, but not limited to the United States Polo Association, Polo Training Foundation, University
of Virginia, University of Virginia Alumni Association, Virginia Polo, Inc., Virginia Polo Team, Inc.,
Virginia Polo Center, Inc., all of which entities together with their respective directors, officers,
members, representatives, and employees are hereinafter referred to herein as the “Releasees.”
In consideration of the Participant’s electing to use the Virginia Polo Center, including but not
limited to use of the playing and riding fields, barns, paddocks, other buildings, roadways, facilities,
and equipment, and to participate in Polo Activities, the undersigned HEREBY FOREVER
RELEASES, INDEMNIFIES AND HOLDS HARMLESS (and on behalf of said Participant, his or
her heirs, next of kin, dependents, representatives, executors, administrators, successors or assigns
hereby do release, indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any cause of action, claims or
demands of any nature whatsoever (including, but not limited to actions for costs and/or attorney’s
fees) which the undersigned and/or the Participant, his or her representatives, heirs, next of kin,
dependents, executors, administrators, or any other person or entity on my behalf, may now have, or
have in the future, against the Releasees on account of personal injury, loss, property damage, or
accident of any kind, including death or infection with COVID-19 or any other communicable
disease, arising out of the participation in or observation of Polo Activities by the undersigned and/or
the Participant, including without limitation, participation in or observation of Polo Activities
sponsored by one or all Releasees.
Initial Here
The undersigned further understands that by signing this Release, he/she covenants and agrees
that he/she, as well as his/her heirs, next of kin, dependents, representatives, executors, administrators,
successors or assigns, will never institute any suit or action at law of otherwise against the Releasees or
in any way aid in the institution or prosecution of any claim, demand, action or cause of action for
damages, costs, loss of services, expenses or compensation for or on account of any damage, loss or
injury either to the Participant’s person or property or both, or Participant’s death, which may result
from the Participant’s attendance at or participation in Polo Activities. Participant is hereby given
notice of risk intrinsic and inherent in Polo Activities and other equine activities, (i) the propensity of
an equine to behave in dangerous ways which may result in injury to the Participant; (ii) the inability to
predict an equine's reaction to sound, movements, objects, persons, or animals; and (iii) hazards of
surface and subsurface conditions - and specifically assumes this risk and the risk of acts or omissions
that constitute negligence for the safety of the Participant by the Releasees, whether or not related to
the preceding enumerated intrinsic dangers and inherent risks.
Initial Here
The undersigned further understands that participation in Polo Activities involves
substantial risk of injury - including death - and fully understands, accepts and assumes that risk.
The undersigned verifies that the Participant is in appropriate and sufficient good health and medical
condition, and that he/she has no physical limitations, medical problems or issues which would preclude
his/her safe participation in Polo Activities or endanger others through such participation. The
undersigned and/or the Participant agrees that prior to participating he/she will inspect the facilities and
mounts for suitability and safety and related equipment to be used, and if Participant believes
anything is unsafe, Participant will immediately advise his/her coach, supervisor or Virginia Polo
Center representative of such condition and refuse to participate. Participant hereby specifically
assumes the risk of his/her own negligence in any Polo Activities and any negligence of the Releasees.
Initial Here
The undersigned also acknowledges that participating in the Polo Activities will invariably place
Participant in close proximity with other individuals and in contact with surfaces or areas that may have
been handled, touched, or otherwise contacted by other individuals. Because of the nature of the Polo
Activities, as well as the participation of the other players, officials, coaches, grooms, staff members and
spectators (collectively, the “Participants”), the undersigned acknowledges that recommended social
distancing may not be able to be followed at all times during the Polo Activities and that surfaces and
other areas or items with which Participant comes into may not be free of viruses, pathogens or other
contaminants. The undersigned further acknowledges that cases of the disease known as COVID-19,
caused by contraction of the novel coronavirus, have been confirmed through the United States and that
the virus is highly contagious. By electing to participate in the Polo Activities, I acknowledge and
fully assume all risk that I may be exposed to and contract COVID-19 or any other communicable
disease or illness, including as a result of actions or inactions by the Releasees, other Participants or
third parties. I also agree to follow and comply with the guidelines issued by the Virginia
Department of Health and the CDC, as well as any policies in place at the Virginia Polo Center
relating to isolation, masking and social distancing.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges that no medical emergency services are or will be
provided by the Releasees during Polo Activities, and if he/she is unable to timely do so for
himself/herself or his/her child or legal ward’s behalf, he/she hereby consents, directs and authorizes the
Releasees to contact an emergency medical care provider on himself/herself to engage any emergency
medical care, diagnosis or transportation as they may deem appropriate for himself/herself or his/her child
or legal ward, as the case may be, inclusive of necessary treatment, diagnosis or transportation, whether
surgical or otherwise, and that this General Release, Liability Waiver and Assumption of All Risk and
Liability extends to any and all liability arising out of, or in any way connected to such provision or
emergency medical treatment, diagnosis or transportation. The undersigned hereby agrees to assume all
risk and to pay all costs in connection with or associated to such treatment, diagnosis or transportation.
Initial Here
The undersigned and/or the Participant understand that the Releasees will not provide medical
or hospitalization insurance for Participants. The undersigned certifies that the Participant will be
covered by his/her own medical and hospitalization insurance while participating in Polo Activities.
The undersigned and/or the Participant further states that he/she is cognizant of all of the intrinsic
dangers and inherent risks of participation in Polo Activities including the dangers of participating in
and observing Polo Activities; that he/she is of lawful age and legally competent to sign this General
Release, Liability Waiver and Assumption of All Risk and Liability which he/she has fully read and
completely understands; he/she understands the terms herein are contractual and not a mere recital, and
that this General Release, Liability Waiver and Assumption of All Risk and Liability has been signed
as his/her own free act by the Participant or on behalf of the Participant by the parent or legal guardian
with whom the undersigned has discussed the nature of the Polo Activities described herein.
This Release, Waiver and Assumption of All Risk and Liability shall be effective for one (1)
year from the date signed unless revoked in writing by the undersigned.