Gentlemen Riders 



a remarkable longevity, taking into consideration the fact 

 that he had at one time or another broken nearly every 

 bone in his body by falls from his horse in the hunting field 

 and elsewhere. 



SIR JAMES G. BAIRD 



That popular gathering known as The Grand Military may 

 be fairly said to have been indebted for its being to the officers 

 of the 5th Dragoon Guards. In the early thirties of the last 

 century one of their body, Mr. J. F. Scott, on leaving the 

 regiment, presented a cup to be run for annually for horses 

 belonging to officers of his old corps over a three-mile course ; 

 12 St. 7 lbs. each. Starting in 1834, they went steadily on 

 until 1 84 1, in which year Mr. Scott's cup was won by Captain 

 King on his own horse, The Hind, and as that gallant officer 

 had already won it twice, viz. in 1835 and 1836, it now 

 became his own property. 



It was in that year, on the 24th March, that the 

 Grand Military was practically founded. The meeting took 

 place near Northampton, extended over three days, and 

 seems to have been a prodigious success. The line ran over 

 some beautiful grazing ground about a mile and a half from 

 the town towards Little Billing, the run-in being over rising 

 ridge and furrow to the flags stationed near the mansion of 

 Mr. John Harvey Thursby. The distance was about three 

 miles and a quarter, over twenty-five fences, many of which 

 were of a formidable character, whilst the few flags which 

 were deemed necessary were not placed till the horses were 



34 



