CHASING AND RACING 45 



as holder of the time record for the mile, used occasion- 

 ally to butt in. Later, like myself, he took up riding 

 under Jockey Club and National Hunt Rules. A 

 brilliant man to hounds, he could always do justice 

 to his mounts. 



These are only a few of those who sported silk 

 at the fashionable club resorts. 



There was a terrible mix up at Hurlingham on 

 one occasion, when the leading pony slipped up in 

 negotiating a turn ; whereupon practically the whole 

 field of seven sat down in a heap on the fallen one. 

 A rider performed a double somersault in the air 

 and landed on his feet, clear of the struggling mass. 

 Marvellous to relate, with one exception neither 

 riders nor ponies were any the worse for the melange^ 

 which was truly horrific and nerve-startling to behold. 

 The one exception was poor Hanbury who was carried 

 away in an ambulance — insensible. He soon re- 

 covered, as no serious injury had accrued. But 

 relentless Fate was dogging his footsteps ; for, very 

 shortly afterwards, a horse he was riding (at Lewes, 

 I think) ran into a post, and poor Hanbury was killed 

 on the spot ! 



So much for pony racing. Now let us hark back 

 to more serious business. 



