Lovers of the Horse 



83 



Many matches are played each .season, and in 1!>()7 the Montreal men jjroved their 

 caHhre hy defeatin<;- all of the other Canadian Polo C'lnbs they met, thus undeniably 

 establishing a claim to the title of Canadian champions for that season. 



To ]Mr. George A. Simard must be given credit for the existence of the Montreal 

 Polo Club. He was the first President, and the first matches were |)laved at his farm. 

 In the summer of IS!)!) Mr. Simard imjjorted a carload of polo ponies from the far 

 West that had not even l)een halter broken. They were brought to ^[ontreal and the 

 most likely selected and given over to a breaker for education. 



During the summer of 1900, a field was pre])ared and practicing commenced. 

 This continued, and by the end of tlu' season the players were readv to make a 

 creditable showing for a new organization. Officers were elected by the Club, with 

 yir. Simard as the President. 



The original members of the Club were: Geo. A. Simard, Doctor Mignault. P. 

 A. Beaudoine, Archibald Allan, and Col. Meagh;in. The.se gentlemen made up the 

 team from year to year and have played the majority of the matches. The greatest 

 change came to tlie team in the season of 1!)07, when the quartette consistefl of Messrs. 

 Robertson and Freeman. Captain Pickering and Col. Meaghan. T\w Club has always 

 been noted for the good jxtnies owned by the members. They are well looked after, 

 the members going so far as to rival one another in .securing the best each season. 

 This has contributed largely to the success of the Club both at home and abroad, for 

 a handy, clever pony is as necessary as a good man. 



Messrs. Freeman and Robertson and Captain Pickering learned to ])lav the game 

 before coming to Montreal, while the other members of the Club U-arned to plav it on 

 the grounds of the Club. Captain Pickering ])icked up the game in England and Scot- 

 land, while both Mr. Robert.son and Mr. Freeman learned to i)lay in the far West, they 

 at one time being members of the famous High River Club. Col. Meaghan and Mr. 

 Simard. the two oldest meml)ers of the Clul), arc taking an active part to-dav. .\11 

 are well-known horsemen and show great skill at riding. 'Hiev are members of 

 the Canadian Hunt Club, and take a great interest in the welfare of the horse. 



Out of the Montreal Polo Club sprang the Back River Club, with grounds at 

 Cartierville, and which is now a well-known organization. 



