64 LIGHT HORSES ! BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



purposes was noticed by some practical farmers in the north 

 of England, who for several years back have been exerting 

 themselves to revive the breed." 



It is a subject for deep regret that more is not recorded of 

 the efforts of these astute and far-seeing gentlemen, to whom 

 subsequent generations are so much indebted. Unfortunately 

 they lived in an age when little importance was attached to 

 the recording of facts connected with stock breeding and 

 agriculture. Newspapers were scarce; what agricultural 

 literature there was, was published in London, then quite 

 out of touch with North Yorkshire farmers ; and it was im- 

 possible for the local newspapers, which were in existence in 

 those days, to devote any attention to the subject. Indeed, 

 those who were most interested did not consider it necessary 

 to make any notes themselves, and pedigree seems to have 

 been thought of so little importance, that even the names 

 of the sires of Mr. Masterman's famous horses, Skyrocket, 

 Summercock, and Forester, are unrecorded ; neither is it 

 possible to more than approximate the date at which they 

 flourished. Tommy Masterman, a Cleveland farmer, was 

 one of those who took an active part in the revival of the 

 Cleveland Bay breed, and his exertions in this direction 

 were so highly appreciated that he was presented with a 

 testimonial by his friends and neighbours. This took the 

 form of a silver cup, value 10, which was presented in 

 1820, and the inscription on which states that it was given in 

 recognition of the service which Mr. Masterman had rendered 

 in keeping first-class sires. I have also heard it asserted that 

 the name of Skyrocket was mentioned in the inscription, and 

 from common report Skyrocket seems to have been the best 

 of Mr. Masterman's horses. Some years ago I made every 

 effort to trace the owner of this cup, but without avail. A 

 portrait of Skyrocket was once extant, but I have been unable 

 to discover it ; and I am informed that the old signboard of 

 the public house at Nunthorpe, in Cleveland, was a copy 

 of this picture. This public house is now done away with, 



