HISTORY OF THE KILDARE HUNT 



cup for a farmers' race, to be kept only by a rider 

 winning it three years in succession. It seems to 

 have provided a race for about eight meetings, at 

 the last of which it was won for the third time, as 

 already stated, by Colonel Wodehouse, who held 

 land at Eyrefield, near the Curragh. There was 

 some hostile criticism as to his qualification as " a 

 farmer," but the bowl was eventually handed over 

 to him, and became his property. 



The Ponsonby Bowl seems to have been the 

 chief attraction of the Hunt Races of 1840, and 

 the very short account of that meeting is perhaps 

 worthy of record: 



KiLDARE Hunt Races 

 Monday, April 20, 1840 



The Ponsonby Bowl; Sweepstakes of 3 sovs. 

 each, p.p.' 10 sovs. added for horses bona fide 

 the property of Landholders of the County Kil- 

 dare. Weight for age — three years old, 8 st. 7 lb.; 

 four years old, 9 st. 7 lb.; five years old, 10 st. 2 lb.; 

 six years old and aged, 10 st. 7 lb. 3 lb. allowed 

 to mares and geldings — thorough-bred horses to 

 carry 7 lb. extra. 



Mr Rutherdord's br. g. Paddy Whack i 



Mr Byrne's b. g. Heart of Oak and Mr Flood's 



Lady Lilla also started, but were distanced. 

 178 



