CHAPTER XVI 



A VISIT TO MR JOHN PORTER AT KINGSCLERE 



Of all the many interesting places to be visited in England, 

 I can imagine none more delightfully so than Park House 

 at Kingsclere Downs. When Mr John Porter arranged 

 with Colonel and Mrs Cunliffe — whose guest I was — a day 

 specially reserved in which he w'ould show to me his 

 famous horses, I knew there was a rare treat in store. 



The drive over from Newbury to Kingsclere on a sunny 

 day in May was full of enjoyment, and after that genial, 

 cosy, inevitable, function in England, an afternoon cup of 

 tea, we started for a tour of the stables, Mrs Porter also 

 accompanying us. 



Among the ninety-four thoroughbreds were the Batt, 

 Ameer, son of Isonomy, Labrador, Royal Corrie, who 

 leads in the gallops, and is a good trial horse. Collar, 

 Flying Fox, Hermiston, and the celebrated Common. 



Mr Porter told us interesting little stories of St Blaise, 

 Bend Or, Ormonde, La Fleche, Shotover, Isonomy, Orme, 

 Ormuz, Watercress, and other celebrities who owed to 

 him their training, and to his excellent methods their 

 success. 



The stables at Kingsclere are a marvel of exquisite 



