OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 THE RIDER /49 POLO: with Ruth Armstrong from Armstrong Farm


can play two chukkas that are fast, and they tend to last longer in their career when used more sparingly. We get the ponies ready quite a bit before a game starts, you will see them tied in the pony lines or to a trailer, they are quite amazing standing qui- etly no fuss no muss for the most part. My eventers and jumpers are princesses compared to these guys, they just seem to be a tougher type all around. I play a different length


Ruth works out of Re/Max Real Estate Centre in Orangeville and is a 23-year resident of Dufferin County. The different seasons of


polo are huge. Unfortunately, the outdoor season my favourite is drawing to a close and the warm evenings of Asado (an Argentinian BBQ) with good friends and wine are almost over. Out door to a be- ginner can be quite intimidating. Wide open spaces with playing fields as big as three soccer fields. Even as an eventer who’s used to speed and changing terrain there’s usually just you and your horse and the occasional jump judge fly- ing by. This time there are 7 other people out there and 7 other horses galloping all bunched fairly tightly together. At first it really is hard to get


into the mix, you tend to hang out at the sides, unsure of where to be and how not to get killed and run over by the rest of the pack or even worse get hit with a back shot… and yes those balls really hurt if you get hit ,padding only goes so far! So, you tend to opt for the edge of the pack even though its not going to help your team, your focus is self preservation. When you get over that and are tightly in the group the next step is not to cause a dangerous foul; one that does not cause a collision or a fall. The clubs like Toronto and


Buffalo have starter chukkas at trot. That being said when you first play you will be in slow chukkas and only when you are more comfortable you will move up. But don’t worry the more ex- perienced players will have their “third” eye on you and even the horses have inbuilt air bags and care about their self preservation; their peripheral vision is your new best friend. You will start out with 1 or


2 seven and a half minute chukkas and eventually progress to a game consisting of 4 chukkas. In a slower game you would only need two ponies which you would then alternate each chukka. When you get to the faster games you would need 3 or 4 ponies as not all ponies


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mallet for every height of horse I play. The reason behind that is so that you do not have to alter your swing or style, you just change the length of your mallet. Mallets are made from mostly bamboo or graphite and have many cost levels for all budgets. The main mallet range is 48 inches to 54 inches. (When you first learn one of the hardest things you find to do is to carry the mallet). Regardless of how fit you are your arm and your wrist will hurt, any good coach will not let you overdo things at first despite your enthusiasm, as this game is very very addictive. There is so much tack and


equipment that it can be an exer- cise in exhaustion all by itself even before you get on, so most players have a groom or helpers. Unless you are superhuman like my friend Dr Elizabeth Hearn who constantly amazes me with her skills and ability to be ready alone with all her ponies, man- age a busy vet practice, be a wife and a mom, and then go out and play amazingly well. She seems


to have this work life balance thing perfected …me well that is still a major work in progress. And talking of work here is this month’s barn and property tips for fall property management and remember well maintained property is always safer and much easier to sell.


REALTY WITH RUTH FROM Re/Max Real Estate Centre.


Pest proof. Fix those holes in the barn


or property roof, there is nothing worse than having to deal with rodents’ mid winter in the feed room, roof or home, and even worse the smell if you’ve left it too late and fixed it complete with the winter rodents in situ… …just ewww.


Fire Proof. Remove all the excess


feed and shavings bags, twine, broken boards things in any isle ways that simply do not need to be there.


Paint. Why not upgrade those


stall fronts with a fire-retardant paint?


Muck pile. Spread or contact your


local farmer to remove your muck pile or contact your local green house they may even buy it from you bagged.


Fence check. Replace split, warped or


even missing boards. Have some pre-cut replacements ready for an easy mid winter fix. Check the electrical current make sure there are no shorts.


Electrical outlets Have someone check your


outlets, barn outlets can be a fire hazard if not maintained.


Electrical cords Pull them out now and


check that they are working and in good order. Not pleasant to be looking for one that works dur- ing an ice storm.


Water Heaters Plan ahead and make sure


you have the right heater for your needs and that they are ac- tually working.


If you want someone who


knows horse farms helping you buy to or sell your property give Ruth Armstrong a call at (519) 942-6085.


Broker


Harnessing Country Living For You 1-800-268-2455 • (519) 939-SELL (7355)


E: jguagliardi@royallepage.ca • jacquelineguagliardi.com Top 3% in residential marketplace 2014


Serving: Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Ox- ford, South Dumfries, North


Dumfries, Ancaster, Flamborough, Cambridge and Woodstock.


Associate Realty Brantford Inc.


519-752-4116 • (519) 647-3330 teridavidson@execulink.com


Erin, Caledon & Surrounding Areas Brant County


Teri Davidson Broker/Owner


Over 36 yrs full-time experience • Canada's Most Referred Realtor


Real Estate Agent Directory Central Ontario


Erin, Caledon & Surrounding Areas


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