There were plenty of fancy hats being worn Saturday during the first-ever Polo for Health at Wainfleet's Plain Bay Polo Centre.

Keeping those hats on in the high winds proved a bit of a challenge for some of the women wearing them, though.

But once inside the large VIP tent set up on the Regional Road 24 property, the women were able to keep them on their heads and enjoy two polo matches on the field in front of them.

One of those hat-wearing women was Jillian Treadgold, Niagara Health Foundation's development officer events and community giving.

She said Plain Bay Polo owner Phil Van der Burgt approached the foundation last year and offered to host an event to raise funds for the Niagara Health's children's health unit.

"It's a great event. We're excited about this partnership. We have a lot of plans to grow the event and make it bigger and better," said Treadgold of the sold-out event.

Van der Burgt hoped to raise about $20,000 for the event but he and Treadgold said they wouldn't have a final total until all the funds were in from the event, which included a silent auction and donations.

Treadgold was looking forward to watching the games, having attended polo matches in England

"I'm really excited about today … this event is bringing people from across Niagara together," she said.

Van der Burgt said holding the event was a way to give back to the community and added the polo community has always done charity events for things like heart and stroke, breast cancer research and more.

"It's natural for us to partner with someone," he said, adding at least 400 people were expected to attend the daylong event. "My family and I love this game so much. My daughter plays for Team Canada, my son plays for Cornell University, my wife plays and I just retired from playing professionally. We just want to give back."

The day saw two polo matches played on Plain Bay Polo's large field, with the first game consisting of a mix of players, including those new to the game. There were players from Welland, Port Colborne, and Grimsby on the field.

The second game saw several professional players, including Van der Burgt's daughter Hailey and son Hunter playing against each other. There were players from Argentina, Ottawa and New York on the field, too.

Van der Burgt and his family came from Newmarket last year to open up Plain Bay Polo Centre, 52052 Regional Rd. 24.

"We've always loved Niagara. There hasn't been a polo club in the region for at least 15 years and we're trying to bring one back.

"We want to emphasize that polo is for everyone, it's a family-oriented sport. It's hockey on horseback. Anyone from seven to 70 can play."

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Van der Burgt said a horse is all that's needed to play, and at Plain Bay Polo people can rent or lease a horse for as little as $50.

The centre can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainbaypolo.