THE POLO PONY SOCIETY 465 



of the Hobbies, which were descended from native horses 

 crossed with Eastern blood. The process of selection is ripe 

 to be repeated from the material available. 



The Polo Pony Society was initiated under the presidency 

 of the Earl of Harrington, at the Chester Royal Show in 

 June 1893, when the rules for its formation were framed. 

 The Polo Pony Stud Book, " for the improvement and 

 encouragement of the breeding of high-class Riding Ponies," 

 is the chief instrument through which the Society exercises 

 its useful influence. It also stimulates breeding by offering 

 prizes at shows. 



The members of Council were : E. M. Archdale, Crock- 

 na-crieve, Ballinamallard ; Sir Douglas Brooke, Bart., Cole- 

 brook, Brookboro' ; Captain Moray Brown, 36 Woodstock 

 Road, Bedford Park, London ; Lord Arthur Cecil, Orchard- 

 mains, Tonbridge, Kent ; W. Scarth Dixon, 5615 Micklegate, 

 York ; Stuart Forster, Postlip Hall, Winchcombe, Gloucester- 

 shire ; A. E. Gerard, Hopesay, Ashton-on-Clun, Salop ; the 

 Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, near Derby ; Captain 

 Herbert, 5 /A Pall Mall, London ; John Hill, Felhampton 

 Court, Church Stretton ; Lt.-Col. C. Campbell Hyslop, 

 Stretton House, Church Stretton ; E. Langford, Chirbury 

 Hall, Chirbury, Salop ; Marquis of Londonderry, London- 

 derry House, Park Lane, London ; J. W. Macfie, Rowton 

 Hall, Chester; F. B. Mildmay, M.P., Flete, Ivybridge, S. 

 Devon ; W. L. Pilkington, Huyton Grange, Liverpool ; 

 Sir Walter Smythe, Hurlingham Club, Fulham, S.W. ; Sir 

 Humphrey de Trafford, Bart, Trafford Park, Lancashire ; 

 the Rev. F. F. Vidal, Arab Stud Farm, Needham 

 Market; J. R. Walker, The Knowl, Burton-under- 

 Needwood ; John Williams, Bala, North Wales ; Owen 

 Williams, Cefn, St Asaph; C. Woosnam, Cefnllysgwynne, 

 Builth ; Frederick Wrench ( Vice-President), Irish Land 

 Commission, Dublin. 



The Council was elected with powers to add other men of 

 experience to act with them as judges of the eligibility of ponies 

 for entry. In 1889 the judges on this Board of Inspection 

 numbered 100. Its members lived widely apart in England, 

 Wales, and Ireland, but not in Scotland. The limit of height 

 of foundation mares and stallions was fixed at 14.2 hands, and 



2 G 



