PONIES AND PONY-BREEDING 171 



date, is founded upon a long-sustained cross of the Hackney upon the Fell 

 pony. Mr. C. W. Wilson, of Kirkby-Lonsdale, to whom is due the entire 

 credit of its production, founded his stud by selecting a number of high- 

 class Cumberland mares and crossing them with the Hackney pony stallion 

 Sir George, which possessed a strong dash of Norfolk blood. The fillies 

 from this cross were put to their sire, and in most cases this was repeated 

 for another generation, with the most remarkably successful results; for 

 although the height was well kept down to under 14 hands, the bone 

 and stamina of the strain was fully maintained, whilst their beautiful 

 quality and action made them popular from the first. A proof of this is 

 forthcoming from the fact that at Sir H. de Trafford's sale by auction in 

 Norfolk in September, 18.95, five Wilson pony mares were disposed of at 

 an average of over 700 guineas each, the highest price of the day being 

 obtained by a three-year-old filly, which realized 900 guineas: this young- 

 ster being the most inbred of the lot. 



In appearance the Wilson pony may be described as being a high- 

 class miniature Hunter, gifted in most cases with superlative action, and an 

 amount of quality which is surprising even in the case of so small an 

 animal. In colour they are usually bay, and it may be added that the 

 originator of the family, Sir George, was a winner at the annual show of 

 the Royal Agricultural Society of England upon no fewer than eight 

 occasions. 



The following were some of the Wilson ponies disposed of at the sale 

 referred to above: — 



The most famous of the mares of the family, so far as the show ring is 

 concerned, are Snorer, the original, so named because of the singular noise 

 she made in her nostrils, Dorothy Derby, and Dorothy Derby II, all of 

 which have won prizes at the most important shows; whilst the names of 

 others have appeared prominently in many an exhibition catalogue. 



