100 THE HORSE 



ponies of Mr. Freake, are convincing proofs indeed that there 

 is money to be made at the game, by skilled players who are 

 good judges of a pony. The problem to be solved is how to 

 breed the animal desired. So many of the qualities required 

 in polo ponies are inherent in Eastern sires, Arabians 

 and Barbs, that a first cross of such blood seems a wise 

 commencement, though the Barb is a taller animal in its 

 own country than the Arab, and specimens occur up to 15.3. 

 The docility of both breeds is of the highest order, and it 

 must be borne in mind that the Arabian has been bred for 

 centuries with one object — to carry his master in raids against 

 his enemy, and make good his escape if his plans "gang 

 agley." The latter supposition involves speed and activity 

 in dodging the pursuing lance — qualities much required in 

 playing polo. Since the Arab warrior, excepting in battle, 

 invariably rides with only one rein, his steed must be both 

 well trained and intelligent, to turn right or left at a critical 

 moment, and to understand and obey its rider's wishes 

 conveyed only by a halter and rope. 



The Eastern cross should be followed up with a thorough- 

 bred one, a sire being chosen from one of the many families 

 that always run small ; while if the produce are reared for 

 three parts of the year on limestone hills there will be little 

 danger of the polo limit, the bugbear to the breeder, 14.2 

 in height, being exceeded. 



The efforts of the Polo and Riding Society to fix a type 

 must, in the course of time, exert considerable influence in 

 assisting breeders to produce the required pony, and it 

 already can point to the fact that two ponies bred on the 

 lines it advocates were chosen to play for England in 

 International matches. Tubby being out of Silvertail 

 (No 121), and Marquis out of Lady Polo (973). Moreover, 

 the breeding of Marquis gives point to the hope that the 

 polo pony of the future may to a large extent be pro- 

 duced by the mating of animals registered in their Stud 

 Book, without recourse to assistance from the outside ; 

 and thus a true-bred breed may be formed of thorough polo 

 type, in a similar manner that other British breeds have 

 been established. Just as the race-course is the all-essential 



