SEPTEMBER 2019 THE RIDER /45 POLO: with Ruth Armstrong from Armstrong Farm What type of horses can play polo?


there is always the exception! Depending on how many games are played in the week effects their fitness programme nat- urally you don’t need a gallop day if your playing Polo 3 times a week! The in be- tween days usually consist of sets of walk and 10 minute trot in alternates of about 40 mins. Getting them fit from scratch is a slower process from down time is usu- ally just walk for a few weeks then start- ing to add some trot and a bit of canter. For me its at least a month from a long down time before then can play. I am very keen on well conditioned legs and a good cardio programme. At the highest levels, Polo is one


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


What type of horses can play polo?


Well pretty much anything


with a great attitude can play. But like any sport the different levels tend to gravitate to a more special- ist breed. At the low levels you see every type of breed out there espe- cially with the school programs, the common thing though is height, usually between 14.3 - 15hh. It is definitely easier to play a smaller pony. The reason its eas- ier is that you need a smaller mal-


of the fastest sports in the world and can reach speeds of up to 30MPH and whilst doing this these athletic horses, spin, sit on their hocks, power away at a sprint or stretch out and simply run and can from flat out gallop ,stop on a dime. Theses horse also bump…push the other horse away from the line, a bit like a shoulder in at high speed but actually connecting, these tough athletes can battle it out be- tween themselves too. The good one’s po- sition themselves, follow the ball and can see the ball reverse often before the rider can. One of my horses is particularly good at following the ball and has rolled back on me a few times before I was ready and my neck strap was my new best friend!


Having been around, ridden or


trained in most of the English driplines, and tried all types and breeds of horses;


and consistently. Polo is very social and family orientated and the common theme with everyone is the love of their horses and there is always lots to talk about and learn. The sport seems to be growing which is fantastic. In and around Ontario there are several places you can go and watch all level of games and get a lesson, join a training league and have a whole lot of fun.


REALTY WITH RUTH FROM Re/Max Real Estate Centre. Its Summertime and whether you


are buying or selling I can help you with my network of contacts across Ontario and beyond. It makes a tremendous dif- ference in the outcome if you have an ex- perienced professional by your side. Here are this month’s tips to help make your


first impressions count! First Impressions Do Count You will not believe the amount of buyers who make their mind up about a purchase before they have even gotten out of the car.


Fences Makes sure that you replace all


those chewed boards, take the time to fix all those little things that are fixed with either twine or tape. Make sure that the fence lines show they are maintained and weed wacked under the fence line.


Driveway Make sure your entrance is open


and accessible, can the buyer bring in a trailer easily? Try a welcoming end of the drive planter or some such attraction.


Keep the grass mowed and have the driveway either bladed or dragged, pot- holes are very off putting but we all know they happen. Get rid of the weeds too, often we become oblivious and we just don’t see them, but the buyer will.


Paint. Why not upgrade those stall fronts


with a fire-retardant paint? Or give your entrance door a fresh 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.


Electrical out lets Have someone check your outlets,


barn outlets can be a fire hazard if not maintained. One of the main cause of barn fires is an open fan in the summer


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 during an ice storm


Gardens Have them showing their very best,


if you have pictures of them in full bloom leave them out, sometimes a picture is a thousand words.


Oil Tanks and Furnaces Make sure the tags a clean and vis-


ible, leave any maintenance reports as copies visible.


If you want someone who knows


horse farms helping you buy to or sell your property. Give Ruth Armstrong a call 519 942 6085


let length to manage and the smaller horse tend to be a bit hand- ier for fast turns and roll backs. The preferred breed is the argen- tine or the small thoroughbred. Both are tough and fast, and they have both the stamina and grit. Allot of the times these horses will play two 7 min chukkas with a break between and these two breeds do so easily as they recover quickly, and they are easier to maintain their fitness levels. For me achieving their fit-


ness level and maintaining it was not so much different than getting the upper level eventers ready, ex- cept for the fact you can pony a few together…I tried that with some eventers and it was a disaster , some how polo ponies just seem so much more accepting and not so much high strung drama but


I would have to say that the Polo pony is the most athletic and physically de- manded upon horse. I used to say it was an eventer but not anymore when I see the demands on the horse, they have to be a cross between a reiner, a racer, a dres- sage horse and as brave as an eventer all rolled into one. Yet these mighty dragons all snooze at the ring side literally until you tack them up, then they light up, play and go back to sleep after their wash off. Like my eventing life I’m very keen on poultice and liniment rubs etc. and all of the players take absolute care of their horses, and I like most players do like to pamper them. Tiffany and I play Thoroughbreds


and Argentines and they range from 14.3h to 16.hh so our mallet range is from 48 to 54 inch. As a beginner it can be a bit daunting when you have different lengths, but when you get consistent with the mechanics of your own swing it gets a little easier. The one thing about Polo is that


everyone recognises Polo but it is seri- ously misunderstood every one can play. With Polo the great thing is you can learn while playing, like most of us you will continue to learn while playing, and there is a rule book of over a hundred pages of rules to keep us safe and usually a ref who not only controls the competition but highly focusses on safety. The fun thing about Polo is that a


professional is only different from the be- ginner in that they can hit further, faster


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56