I89i] SIR PETER WALKER'S POINT-TO-POINT RACE. 207 



The large field assembled at an inn at Ashbourne, from there to be conducted 

 to the unknown starting-point. All the spectators were conveyed to the winning- 

 post, situated on the hillside above Sturston Mill, looking over a fine country of 

 Derbyshire hills and dales. It was a pity a parade could not have been managed. 



" They are off! they are oft'! " was the cry about two o'clock, and with the 

 eye of faith and powerful field-glasses, it was possible to enjoy the sight of some 

 thirty-two specks, like flies on a window-pane, streaking away across country 

 from Ashbourne Hall in the dim distance. The course measured three miles, a 

 big fish-hook shape, the first point being a red flag, then round a farmhouse on 

 the hill top, out by Atlow Whin, to turn downhill and gallop over the ford of 

 the River Bone. One more flag, and then a run home on the hillside below 

 Bradley Wood describes the locality, though imperfect in geography, I fear. 



When the field came into view it was possible to judge what a cracker the 

 pace was, with Halma making the running, and Merrynaan striding along in 

 gallant style, a chestnut horse with an empty saddle fencing faultlessly, 

 McCrankie and a grey lying pretty handy, and a long tail behind, for the pace 

 brought them down like ninepins. " Oh dear, oh dear ! where's the rider of the 

 chestnut? I wish it was all over! Oh dear! if they all get safe home, we will 

 never, never let them ride again ! " And beauty on the hillside was considerably 

 agitated and excited. The course was not really a galloping one, for the fences 

 were trappy, and it was necessary to use your head all the way to steer a right 

 course and find the flags. Halfway on the journey was an open brook, with a 

 do^vnhill take otf, and so placed that you could not see it until you were right 

 upon it. Tliis caught two horses. After taking a pull for a bit of deep going on 

 the plough, they climbed up the hill to round the farmhouse, then turned down the 

 hill with trappy little dykes, to you, all the way to the river's ford. The cluster 

 in front were Merryman, K.G-., Halma, McCrankie, and Chance. The Priest 

 spoilt his chance by going wide of a flag. Coming in the straight, half a mile 

 from home, we could see they were racing. McCrankie came up and took the 

 lead until he galloped into a boggy, wet field, and a very trappy fence, and head 

 over heels he went, unfortunately breaking Captain Gordon's collar-bone. Over 

 the last three fences Halma was first, until he fell one fence from home, then 

 K.G. and Grayling went on, with Chance close up. But Major W. H. Walker, 

 on Merryman, was only waiting his time, and at the right moment shot to the 

 front and won easily by three lengths, K.G. and Grayling being ridden out 

 determinedly for second place. 



Then we all shouted until we were hoarse, and congratulated Miss Walker, 

 the nominator of her brother's horse, and the winner of the diamond heaj^, and, 

 curiously enough, winner also of the House Party Sweepstake. Other lady 

 nominators ran oft" into the country to pick up their nominations who had not got 

 home, and we went to look over the winner. Merryman, by Sheldrake, is a big, 

 striding, dark brown horse, well master of fourteen stone, and was bought from 

 Captain Gordon ; he looked good for any distance. His owner, Major W. H. 

 Walker, is well known as a shining light on the polo-field, and with the Cheshire 

 packs, as well as the owner, trainer, and rider of that marvellous pony, Dorothy, 

 who won forty-one races out of six attempts. Not the least interesting object 

 was his old race saddle, so patched and padded up that nothing of its original 

 self is left except the shape, and its weight is now thirteen pounds. This saddle 

 has figured in two hundred and sixteen races, and on one hundred and twenty- 

 six occasions has carried its owner first past the post, so that, in the distant 

 future, when Major Walker has done with it, we shall expect to see it in a glass 

 case, a proud trophy for the Nimrod Club. 



