BLANKNEY REMINISCENCES 107 



was the Beau, winner of the Private Sweepstake 

 at Croxton Park, afterwards passing into the 

 possession of Mr. Harry Armour of Linhthgow 

 and StirUngshire Hunt point-to-point fame. Port 

 Said, a dark-brown thoroughbred horse, took a bit 

 of riding, but could both gallop and jump when 

 in the mood to do so. Perhaps the horse that 

 showed the master most sport was The Cat, a 

 strong chestnut, carrying him six seasons without 

 a fall ; quite a record for Mr. Lubbock, who 

 enjoyed jumping a great many fences, and took his 

 fair share of tumbles ! 



Looking over the story of many enjoyable days 

 we saw with Mr. Lubbock, the following occurred 

 in March 1905. The Blankney met by invitation 

 at Rippingale, a Belvoir fixture, and in the absence 

 of Shepherd the hounds were hunted by Will Weston. 

 Getting clear of the large tract of woodland Dunsby, 

 Kirkby, and Bulby, a fox was persuaded to face the 

 open from Aslackby Wood, shaping a course across 

 a charming line of grass country from Keisby, away 

 over the Lenton Brook. Unfortunately scent was 

 very weak, and more pace was necessary to make 

 it a really good hunt. The day was made memor- 

 able by the afternoon gallop from Folkingham 

 Little Gorse, hounds getting away close at the brush 

 of their fox, racing over the grass below Birthorpe, 

 twisting left-handed up to Stow Green. Never 

 checking, they raced up to Spanby, and pulled him 

 down a field away from Newton Gorse, after going 

 twenty minutes at top pace. Only those who got 

 away with a good start saw the finish, and were a 

 small band, including the master, riding The Cat ; 

 Mrs. R. J. Ellison, well carried by a grey; Miss A. 

 Reid, Captain H. Steeds, Mr. F. H. Schwind, Mr. C. 

 de Paravicini, Mr. J. Tomlinson, Mr. J. Rudkin, 



