Lovers of the Horse 75 



Interiiatioiuil ('u[). 'lliis cui) was played for hy American and Canadian teams an- 

 inially, bnt Rochester, N.Y., proved the best by beating Toronto thi-ee years running 

 and winning the cup outright. Another gold cup was presented bv the kite Mr. J. 

 G. Averil, of Rocliester, N.Y., to be competed for on the same conditions as the Inter- 

 national Cup presented by the Toronto Club. This trophy has been won two years 

 in succession by the Toronto Hunt Club team and it is now in tlieir possession. 



In the 1002 tournament, held in Toronto. High River, Rochester, Montreal and 

 Toronto comj)eted. High River, the members of which team plaved a spanking, reso- 

 lute game all through, won tolerably easily. In 1905 the second tournament was held 

 in Toronto, with the same team competing and Buffalo as an addition. The Hio-h 

 River quartette again proved themselves expert at the game and again won. During 

 this tournament a match was made between Elastern and Western plavers, and the 

 latter won. In 1!)0(5 a tournament was held in Montreal, the competitors l)eing Calgary, 

 Montreal, Toronto and Kingston. The Limestone City team, it should be mentioned, 

 organized by that ever unwearied enthusiast. Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, made its 

 (Ichiif at this tournament, and although the gentlemen of the team gave a creditable 

 account of themselves. Toronto came out victorious. It should have been mentioned 

 that prior to this, in 1!)()5. the year the Kingston Club was formed, a second club, 

 called the Back River, was organized in Montreal, Major George Hooper being the 

 moving spirit. 



In 1907 Montreal beat the Toronto Club and won the Beardmore cup, making 

 that city's team a second time winner. 



In 1904' the Eastern Canadian Polo Association was organized, with Lieutenant- 

 Colonel Williams as the first President. 'Ilie Montreal and Toronto Clubs were the 

 sole members at first, l>ut since they have been joined by Back River and Kingston, 

 and have some hopes of Hamilton and Ottawa coming into line. All Polo tournaments 

 in Eastern Canada are held under this Association, of which Lieutenant-Colonel Wil- 

 liams is still President, Lieutenant-Colonel ^Nleighen. of Montreal, being \'ice-Presi- 

 dent, and Major Elmsley, Secretary -Treasurer. An Executive Committee is formed 

 of two meml)ers from each team. 



Colonel Lessard. whose removal from Toronto to the Military Headquarters at 

 Ottawa, everybody in the former city greatly regretted, at latest advices was taking an 

 active part in forming a club at the Capital. An organization is also in progress at 

 (Quebec. 



Uj) to 190(5, Quebec, although a strong military centre, had not seen the game 

 played, but in that year two Montreal teams went to the ancient ('apital and played 

 an exhibition match before two thousand people. 



Toronto's first experience was somewhat after the fashion of Quebec's. In 1902 



a couple of teams, under the direction of the late Harry Ilandin, visited the citv and 



played an exhibition game during the holding of the Exhibition in the old horse-ring. 



It is rather singular, considering the enthusiasm that was manifested then, that 



eight years should have b(HMi allowed to elapse before anything was done to organize a 



