8 SAM DARLING'S REMINISCENCES 



race-horse, little bigger than a Newfoundland dog. 

 His father said to me : 



** I don't think Fred can quite manage the pony. 

 I've matched her for £50 over a mile at Warwick. 

 Will you ride her for me ? " I agreed to do so. 



She was matched against a pony belonging to 

 Mrs. Willan (generally called Mrs. "Croppy " Willan, 

 because she wore her hair short, and gaiters), who 

 raced considerably under Pony and Galloway rules. 

 Her husband was one of the stewards under these 

 rules. My opponent was quite a big roan pony. 

 In the race we got of! together and lay side by side 

 until we got to the turn, when I let The Chow go, 

 and she won many lengths amidst much cheering. 

 We could hardly get back to the paddock, for a 

 lot of my old schoolfellows were there, and almost 

 carried the pony and myself into the enclosure. It 

 was ludicrous ; nobody could believe that this 

 miniature horse could have raced a mile. That 

 was really my first winning mount. 



After living at Bourton Hill for six years I went 

 to Mr. Golby at Northleach, Glos., riding and 

 managing there for twelve months. Afterwards 

 I went to Mr. Tom Wadlow at Stanton, assisting 

 in stable management, gaining knowledge of the 

 profession. 



I did not ride in public at Mr. Wadlow's. At 

 this time I was riding 9 st. 6 lb. in trials only, as 



