THE BADMINTON HUNT 



Calley, Little, and Neeld, recur again and againln 

 the story of the hunt. Their coverts have always 

 been open, and members of the families have been 

 often first-flight riders with hounds. 



In i860 Captain White, who had been a famous 

 character in Leicestershire, in Dick Christian's time, 

 came down for a day with the Duke, and rode well. 

 His appearance created quite a sensation in the 

 hunt, so many stories of his prowess and his cheery 

 ways having been recorded by the Druid : " In old 

 times Ve used to go slap-bang at them (bullfinches), 

 holloaing like fun to cheer up horses and men ; 

 Captain White was a good 'un at that game. How 

 he would holler to be sure ! . . . What a one 

 the Captain's Merrylad was for rails in a corner ! he 

 popped over for all the world like a deer. 

 The Captain was always for me, he kept hardening 

 me on. I don't think I'd ever have gone at such 

 fences, but he had such a pleasant way with him." 



Another famous rider was Mr. John Baylly, "the 

 Little of his day " as he was called. He was a fine 

 gentleman rider, and noted as one of the best of the 

 Duke of Beaufort's men. So good a judge as John 

 Day was pleased to have his services ; and Bath, 

 Bibury, and Heaton Park were the scenes of his 

 triumphs. His death is recorded in December, 

 i860. The Captain Little who is referred to was a 

 man who, in an earlier generation, was regarded as 

 one of the finest horsemen of his day. 



There is one family that has always been closely 



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