86 CHOOSING A POLO PONY. [Chap. IV. 



another pony, immediately puts a polo pony out of 

 the first class. Again, on a slow hunter, though per- 

 fect jumper, a man who means going the shortest way 

 to hounds can, five days out of six, see a lot of fun 

 even in the grass counties ; but a slow pony is 

 absolutely useless in a first-class polo match. As per- 

 fection, without any credit being allowed for com- 

 pensating merit, is demanded in a first-class polo pony, 

 I do not think that men who have never played polo, 

 and polo players who have never ridden a good pony, 

 are justified in the remarks they often make about the 

 — what they call — absurdly high prices some polo 

 ponies fetch. A rich man who means to play polo 

 should, however, keep his eyes open, and should never 

 miss the chance of buying a pony of this class, if he 

 hears of one for sale. He will be much mistaken if 

 he thinks that he can provide himself at a moment's 

 notice with a stud of first-class polo ponies at the 

 commencement of the polo season. 



If a man cannot afford to play on the best of ponies, 

 he can, however, get his fun on moderate ones ; but 

 in that case must forego the pleasures of first-class 

 matches. It is true to a certain extent that price pre- 

 vents men playing polo, especially when good ponies 

 are wanted all in a moment ; but the fact that training 

 greatly enhances the value of a pony, enables many a 

 man to play polo who could not otherwise do so. A 

 fair player, who is also a fine horseman, need spend 

 very little on his polo, if he looks about for likely 

 young animals, and if he takes the time and trouble 

 to train them when found. More and more good 

 ponies are being bred every season, and the number 

 of breeders is steadily increasing. Doubtless, the 



