The United States Polo Association has released the following statement:

“The United States Polo Association is participating in an investigation to determine the cause of death of over 20 polo ponies that died prior to a polo match on Sunday, April 19 at the International Polo Club-Palm Beach, located in Wellington, Florida.

“The cause of death for these horses will not be determined until after the Florida State Department of Agriculture completes necropsies and toxicology testing on the affected animals. There has been much speculation and rumor concerning the cause of death however, according to Dr. Paul Wollenman, who was on the scene and led a valiant rescue effort with many local veterinarians and polo players to save the stricken horses: ‘Based on initial, overwhelming clinical evidence this medical event was isolated to the Lechuza barn and horses and the initial evidence shows no infectious element