DECEMBER 2018 THE RIDER /45 POLO: with Ruth Armstrong from Armstrong Farm


name but a few. For the most part the team car pooled and oc- casionally they grabbed a flight. The girls shared a room when the parents were not accompany- ing them and their coach was al- ways present


they never


travelled alone. The host teams always prepared a meet and greet and food. Several girls teams did not own their own per- sonal ponies and rented off their own clubs. The cost is similar to your kids being enrolled in any- thing like Hockey or a team competitive sport. Like any team sport it


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


Who plays polo? I am asked that often. The


assumption is that only the wealthy adults can play. That as- sumption could not be more wrong. There is quite a large movement of kids competition es- pecially interscholastic and inter- collegiate, I believe there is even a middle school level of Polo com- petition now. Most people who play are not wealthy. It certainly helps if you have a couple of horses but not a necessity. My daughter Tiffany learned to play polo on some borrowed ponies, quickly became hooked and joined a club. She joined a girls inter- scholastic team at our local Polo club and traveled with the club all over, playing other Polo clubs. Only when they played at our home Polo club were ponies re- quired for them and the guest team.


Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Boston, Gardnertown, Connecticut


Tiffany travelled to play at to


teaches allot about other factors of life. Our girls’ team was very successful and the girls actually earned a varsity letter which will help with any college applica- tions. They trained twice a week with their coach and played in club games as and when they could. The girls can compete as long as they are in high school, then they move up a level to In- tercollegiate with university. Tiffany played a second year and was the team captain which again brings other life skills. The teams mainly followed the school year so that meant the games were indoors which con- sisted of three on three players. There are open teams and boys team too, all manner of teams for all types. Tiffany is on a gap year and playing with adults as there are no school teams until university. Her ability and fear- lessness far outstrip mine, there are some incredible players out there, the talent and skillset of these teams is amazing; it’s quite a thing to see. If anyone has any ques-


tions about how and where to start their kids please feel free to give me a call. The adults come from all


walks of life, as you know I’m a realtor with Re/max who is a known eventer and breeder; my friends are horse vets, I know of every type of career from chiro- practor to dentist, driver, lawyer, salesman, insurance broker the list is endless, there is no age, no pedigree and no gender base. Anyone can play who has a love of horses and a willingness to learn. The social side and friend- liness of everyone at every sin- gle place you go to is wonderful


there is simply no comparison. At the end of a game is


wine and dine be it burgers or steak…we sit and unwind all comparing plays, horses, our bruises and an adrenaline rush that drives us to do it all over again, better, faster stronger… it’s that same bug that all horse people can relate to. My close friend Elizabeth Hearn says there’s a quote somewhere that says “ playing Polo is a passport to the world”, everywhere you go there will always be someone or a club willing and happy to welcome you to join them, with an accredited handicap there is no need for references or ability checks, people just seem to wel- come you all over the world such is their love of the sport and its people. Elizabeth’s whole family pay Polo and her two daughters Clair and Nicky came through the girls team system both superb players too well rounded athletes. Nearly every- one who plays also works at a different job unless you are a professional, there’s not too many of them in Canada. And talking of work here


is this month’s barn and property tips for fall/winter property man- agement and remember a well maintained property is always safer and much easier to sell!


REALTY WITH RUTH FROM Re/Max Real Estate Centre.


It’s that time of Year. Ho! Ho! Ho!


First Impressions Count. One of the nicest things


when selling your home is for a buyer to walk in and it smells nice. Eliminate wet dog and barn smells. Now you can go all out with Christmas smells like cin- namon buns and pine!!


Maintenance. 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.


Real Estate Agent Directory Central Ontario


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. Make sure your Fire extinguishers are current and visible.


Paint. Why not upgrade those


stall fronts with a fire-retardant paint? Give the windows a brightening.


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 out lets Have someone check your


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


Electrical cords It’s that time of year with


tons of lights, double and triple check your electrical chords. 80% of barn fires are electrical faults.


Water Heaters Did you know there are


some excellent solar water heaters?


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.


Sell your Farm Property in The Rider’s Real Estate Pages! Advertise in our next Issue!


Erin, Caledon & Surrounding Areas Broker


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


E: jguagliardi@royallepage.ca • jacquelineguagliardi.com


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, East Garafraxa, Caledon & Surrounding Areas Brant County


Teri Davidson Broker/Owner


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


Call (905) 387-1900


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