Kara's Blog

 In polo you're only as good as the pony you are riding.    You could be the best polo player in the world - but if your pony is not at the same caliber, then you won't be able to play your best either.       

It is not uncommon to see professionals and amateurs playing together.  It happens pretty regularly actually. Yes they are playing in the same game - on the same team - but there is a big difference.  The  difference is that the Polo pros get paid big money depending on their handicap (level of performance)   Oh yes, I forgot to tell you....    There isn't a playbook, lol.  Just get the ball thru the goal without penalty!  Pretty much like other sports - except for the no playbook part. 

Not like the typical sports team.   These guys/gals will play on different teams - with different teammates, depending on who hires them for that specific tournament or individual match.    Teams are put together based on the type of tourney.   For example - an 8 goal tournament the total of the team players' handicaps equals 8.    So, there may be a 5, and a 3, and two players rated as 0.    Or....maybe a 2, 2, 0 and 4.    The owner/sponsor tries to put together the best team he can afford to total 8.  (or whatever the total goal is) ex:  For a 22 goal tourney they may put together a 10, 9, 3, 0...to make a 22goal team.              

Pros can get paid more than $150,000 a game. (or as little as a few thousand)  PLUS... the owner/sponsor of the team might cover their expenses while in town playing tournaments  (which could be two weeks to two months!)  Let's see, they need lodging for themselves AND their families, and vehicles, too. And of course meals at the clubhouse.  Sweet deal, don't you think.  

Aiken is an equestrian town after all, so it really is not surprising that several of the countries BEST players call Aiken home. (at least part-time)  Living and training here throughout the year.   Adam Snow, Matias Magrini, and Owen Rhinehart to name just a few.    Aiken polo season will be here very soon!

Plan a visit to the area during polo season and take in a match or two :)

POLO 101: A series! (AKA:  Polo:  So much to learn, So little time!)   Provided together by Kara Casamassina and Gene Mock, The Carolina Real Estate Company, Aiken SC.  

Did you hear that?   Sounded like a knock on a door.  A wooden door.  Right upstairs above us.    Wait - did that door just open?  Do you hear work boots?  Was that another knock?  What is going on up there?    Yes - this is bits 'n pieces of an actual conversation my husband and I had about 17 years ago.  (and I remember it like it was yesterday)   What reminded me of this conversation was a blog I just read.  YOU CAN READ IT TOO!! RIGHT HERE :)   Ummm.....let me give y'all a little history. (I'll try to be as brief as possible) 

We had just moved into a great big old Victorian home in Milford, Pennsylvania.  It had been converted to apartments, and we lived on the third floor.  We were very excited to be living downtown in this great old house.  Great location - great price :)  

We moved in and met the neighbors right away.  All very nice.   Most of them had recently moved in as well.  We had been there just about a week.  It was a Friday night.  Our five year old was sound asleep and we were in the kitchen making a late dinner.  There - out of the blue, we heard it.  Both of us. 

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.    Three hard loud raps on a solid wood door.  No doubt about it - it was right above our kitchen/hallway threshold.  Right where you would expect the door to be, haha.  Then we heard people come in.  More knocking, more people.   We could hear the chairs being pulled out.  After they sat down the noises were muffled, 'cept for what sounded like the slap of the cards in a poker game.   Friday night was poker night - I guess we had better get used to it.  Not every Friday, thank goodness - I guess they took turns playing at each others places.

Why is this so unusual?  People play poker, I know.  We used to play all the time.  It's a lot of fun.  The odd thing about this is that we lived on the third floor.  The TOP of the house.   THERE WAS NOTHING ABOVE US BUT THE ROOF!!!         That is what is so odd, haha.   Eventually the noises from above stopped. It was Very strange - but nothing we couldn't live with, lol.     

What got me thinking about that old house is this blog I was just reading.   YOU CAN READ IT TOO - RIGHT HERE!    

Now, would we have moved in if we thought we would have a friendly spirit 'living' above  us?   Probably not.   I'm glad we didn't know because it turned out to be a great place :) 

Y'all have any stories??  I'd love to hear them.

Have a good night - thanks for stopping by

- and please think of us if you (or anyone you know) are looking to buy a house ANYWHERE!!   Aiken especially...but with our Company affiliation with Leading RE Companies of The World, we can help you anywhere in The World.  

(when you call or email - - - be sure to let us know you saw us here - on Active Rain)

Wow - the Jamaicans are doing some running in these Olympics!    This country has never had a 100m run champion and now they have both the male and female gold medalists :)      Awesome.  

Here's what they accomplished:

Shelly-Ann Frazier:  she was youngest - shortest - least experienced in the field tonight and she blew them away.   Her  final time: 10.78 

Oh - and not just Shelly-Ann taking the gold - but her teammates took silver and bronze, too!  A SWEEP !!!  :)    How awesome is that for their country.

Now last night Usain Bolt: the tallest in the field.   he runs like a lightening bolt.   Set the new world record 9.69 .     I can't wait to see him in the 200m.  

I'm so proud of all of the Olympic athletes.  Some of the back stories are incredible. 

Did you hear about the swimmer that can't even train in his own country because there is no olympic size pool anywhere in the country.  Wow!! 

They don't have ANY in his entire country - and we have thousands here in America.  Wow! The things we take for granted.    

How bout the American male gymnastic team - losing two of their returning Olympians to injury - throwing the team together (pretty much last minute in respect to the level of competition we are talking about )with alternates - and doing an outstanding job.  

I'll be enjoying this final week of the games, but I've already begun the countdown to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.    543 days and counting.......

While I'm counting -  only 129 days till Christmas :) 

Call me if you need some help with Aiken Real Estate.

 Didn't want y'all to miss this post in our Polo 101 series!   Enjoy.

 Didn't want y'all to miss this post in our Polo 101 series!   Enjoy.

I had never ever seen a match until I moved here to Aiken SC.  I was definitely in the minority.  Seems like everyone had been to at least one match.   Sure, I saw the pictures in the magazines for Ralph Lauren..... the handsome young hot guy in his polo outfit, the half-naked hot chick next to him, lol.   Well - that is not really polo, lol.  Well, uhhhhh......yes, the players have a little bit of a reputation, but what athlete doesn't.   They all have their groupies, haha.  Anyway -  As you know an associate in my office and I are doing this Polo:101 series to get y'all ready for your first polo match.    Polo in Aiken, SC starts up in September - - - -  we are running out of time!

Ok - this is what stops the clock:  

Pretty much the same reasons as other sports (except for the horse!)

- in case of a foul -  fallen pony or rider -  pony or player injured - broken tack (horse gear/equipment)  - rider loses his/her helmet - the ball rolls out of bounds -

Let's break it down a little bit here.

A foul:  obviously breaking the rules.  And I am NOT going to give you ALL the rules, lol.   But the most common foul is for ‘crossing the line of the ball'  (this is a rule to keep horses and riders safe)      the ‘line of ball' is an imaginary line created by the ball as it moves down the field. (changing each time the ball changes direction)  

The player that hit the ball has the right of way - and the other players cannot cross ‘the line of ball' in front of that player.  They have to ride on either SIDE of the line (to try to steal the ball defensively - - and while trying to assist offensively).  The only time they can cross it is if it is not making a dangerous situation.  And like I said - most of the penalty shots and fouls are for crossing the line of the ball. 

Penalty shot:    pretty much like other sports.  Your team breaks a rule - - - the other team takes a shot.   And depending on  how bad it was that your team did - - is totally related to the penalty shot.  Whether someone is manning the goal or not - how far away you shoot from....  Just like other sports, really. 

Well, there is more to come....just give us some time.

Thanks for your interest and have a great night :)   

POLO 101: A series! (AKA:  Polo:  So much to learn, So little time!)   Provided together by Kara Casamassina and Gene Mock, The Carolina Real Estate Company, Aiken SC.  

Give me a call when you are ready to make the move to Aiken :) 

THIS IS SUCH A GREAT STORY I CAME ACROSS IN AN EMAIL.  Thank you Brenda for letting me share this sweet story.   I did put my own little twist on things of course, lol.  :)

..... After A Tornado In Greensburg , KS .... 


The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy
they named Ralphie. Someone had already taken him under
their wing but weren't equipped to adopt.



Ralphie, scared and starved, joined his rescuers. 

                                         

They didn't think anything could live thru this, but they were very wrong.




This little lady also survived that wreckage.

                                                                


Here she is just placed in the car, scared, shaken, confused.... but safe.


and then, they are no longer alone!   : )   a friend!!!

                            

Instant friends, they comforted each other while in the car.

                                                                          

Add two more beagles found after that, the more, the merrier!  Woo Hoo!!  Party time : )

                 


Oh boy, a  new traveler to add to the mix. (Note: the cat coming over
the seat needing shelter.) Now, just how is this going to work?
(Remember, they are all strange to one another.)

                                                                          


It's going to work just fine, thank you very much!   



Wow! The things we learn from our animal friends.   
 
If only all of mankind could learn such valuable lessons as this.
Lessons of instant friendship. Of peace and harmony by way of respect for one another, no matter one's color or creed.   We are one race afterall.  The Human Race.

These animals tell you;  It's just good to be alive and be with others.
They are soooo right...... So.....Live, laugh and love.

I've seen too many petty - egotistical - backstabbing - nonsense in this business....can't we all just get along.  Act like a dog for a change, lol.

.....that is what the announcer just said as Michael Phelps touched the wall and came in first place and earned another Gold Medal.   Not only did he win the race - he set a new world record!    This is his 25th career WORLD RECORD!!    one more and he ties Mark Spitz.  

We have an amazing group of athletes representing America at these Olympics.   Congrats to the entire US Olympic Team :)   I am very proud of all of you.  You ROCK!!

**UPDATE - - - IN CASE YOU HAVE BEEN UNDER A ROCK SOMEWHERE, MICHAEL DID GO ON TO WIN A FEW MORE GOLD MEDALS AND SET THE NEW RECORD.

To put it simply -  to enjoy an afternoon polo match you only need to bring a few things:

- a comfortable chair or blanket (or just sit on the grass, or your tailgate....) - BUT ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR STRAY BALLS...AND HORSES HEADING YOUR WAY!

-  a picnic lunch, with the beverage of your choice ;)

- friends (or special someone)    A polo match can be whatever you want it to be!  It can be a fun date, or a casual afternoon with friends, and a great way  to entertain out of town clients or business associates.

- binoculars - optional  (If you are planning this to be a 'date'....let her use the binoculars)

- camera   (if you have one - bring it.  You will be sorry if you don't)

Polo action happens fast - so bring food that is already prepared and travels well.   You don't want to be standing over a grill, and missing all the action on the field.   (although , if you are hosting a large party at the match - you could hire a caterer to take care of the food/beverage).    If you have tickets for the VIP tent - then you don't have to bring anything - there will usually be a catered spread in the tent.

A big mistake some people make is waiting till halftime to eat.  DON'T!!   You will be busy at halftime helping to ‘put the field back together', lol.   Yup, just like in the movie ‘Pretty Woman' -- - we stomp divots at halftime.   It is a lot of fun. 

POLO 101: A series! (AKA:  Polo:  So much to learn, So little time!)   Provided together by Kara Casamassina and Gene Mock, The Carolina Real Estate Company, Aiken SC.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still not sure if Aiken is the place for you?  Give us a call, we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, send you info on the area.....         Even though I wasn't born here Aiken feels like home.  Come see for yourself.   What are you waiting for?

Thanks to Brigita for the Olympic Equestrian events updates!!

We have a local participant.   Phillip Dutton, Aiken SC.        

Good luck to all the competitors during these Olympic Games.