SOME FAMOUS PLAYERS AND PONIES 337 



Abbess, and The Fawn were also marvellously speedy ponies 

 in their day, and bywords in the polo world. All these are 

 now at the stud, and doubtless as they rest on their laurels and 

 wander about the pleasant purlieus of the parks at Elvaston 

 or Houghton, enjoying their well-earned repose, they tell the 

 youngsters who keep them company of the glories and delights 

 of polo stick and ball, and inspire them with enthusiasm for 

 the game. 



Mr. Frank Mildmay, M.P., who, with the three Messrs. 

 Peat, makes up the hitherto unconquered Sussex County Team, 

 is a most beautiful and finished player, and for neatness and 

 style unsurpassed. Though slight of build, he yet can hit 

 tremendously hard. Always in the right place, never hurried 

 or flustered, and mounted to perfection, he is a model of a 

 horseman and polo player, and whether on the lovely Picquet 

 (by Chypre) so well known both on the polo ground and in the 

 Show ring at Hurlingham, where she has swept the board for 

 two years in succession, besides securing premier honours at 

 Trent at the head of the list in a strong class of thirty-two ponies, 

 said by Lord Combermere to have been the finest class of 

 ponies he had ever judged or on Judy, or Kitty, it is always a 

 treat to see him play. 



A word here on those two latter ponies. It is an axiom in 

 the horsey world that ' a good big 'un is better than a good 

 little 'un,' and as a rule it is true ; but there are exceptions to 

 every rule, and Judy and Kitty are undoubtedly exceptions, 

 for Judy stands but 13*2^ hands, and Kitty (by Pero Gomez) 

 is 13-3 hands. Both are bay mares. The former was bought 

 at Cambridge by Mr. Mildmay for 35/., and the latter as a four- 

 year-old at TattersalPs for 2o/. rather a contrast to the prices 

 now given ! though they certainly are worth the three figures 

 that a good polo pony will fetch. Quicker on their legs than 

 most ponies, and thus enabling their rider to slip in and take 

 advantage of any opening, they are decidedly ' nippy,' and as 

 such invaluable. Added to this, though played unceasingly for 

 four seasons, they have never been sick or sorry till last year, 



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