Gentlemen Riders 



CAPTAIN "JACK" SKIPWORTH 



Though he was riding as long ago as the early thirties of the 

 last century, the name of the brilliant horseman who forms the 

 subject of this chapter is still one to conjure with in Lincoln- 

 shire ; the achievements of Captain Jack Skipworth and Gay 

 Lad, the horse of all others with which his name will be always 

 associated, constantly cropping up in conversation, even at this 

 long interval, amongst sportsmen in his native county. 



In the early days of steeplechasing, one of the most 

 important meetings of the year was held at Spalding, in 

 Lincolnshire, over a very long course, and this event being 

 won by Captain Skipworth on the horse just mentioned, gave 

 rise to a song, which for a long while afterwards was a great 

 favourite in Lincolnshire sporting circles, and of which one of 

 the verses runs as follows : — 



"The merry men of Lincolnshire were foremost in the fray, 

 When Skipworth rode their Gaylad and Frisby steered their grey (Peter 



Simple), 

 Tom Olliver and Vanguard had glory to their meed, 

 And unrivalled for a season were The Chandler and Proceed ; 

 Salute and Pioneer amid the bullfinches did revel, 

 And Newport viewed the energy of Lincoln steered by Bevill, 

 Peter Simple, by four triumphs, earned this praise from every foe, 

 'He's an ugly one to look at, but a devil for to go!'" 



Jack Skipworth, as he was familiarly called, who was 

 born at Cabourne, near Caistor, on June 25, 181 1, coming 

 from a good old north Lincolnshire family, originally 

 descended from the Skipwiths of Skipwith, in Yorkshire, 

 went to Portugal when twenty-one years of age, and joining 

 General Baker's regiment of Portuguese Lancers, took part in 



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