1 6 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



obtained nine goals, during which time no periods 

 of rest are called and ponies may not be changed. 

 It is not surprising, therefore, that in this country 

 the quality most prized in a pony is staying power. 



Once at the annual " Highland games " at Gilgit 

 a pony race-course was laid out five miles in 

 length, but this was objected to by many of the 

 competitors on the ground that it was too short 

 to bring a good pony to the front, and so it 

 had to be lengthened ! 



Activity also is a quality that commends it- 

 self in this country. Lying near the track up 

 the Yarkhun River valley is an irregular-shaped 

 detached rock, a little higher than a dining-room 

 table and just large enough for a pony to stand 

 on with difficulty. When I first passed this way, 

 I was surprised to see several of the Chitralis 

 riding with me go off the road and jump their 

 ponies on to the rock, one after the other. Most 

 of them managed to get on, but few of them to 

 remain there. I then learnt that the stone was 

 " Ali Khan o bohrt rupini" "Ali Khan's jump- 

 ing stone." It was a well-known test of a good 

 pony to jump on the rock and stay there. 



The polo over, a hollow square was formed in 

 front of the dais, and dancing began. Before the 

 professionals have their turn, the losers at polo 

 have to dance for the amusement of the crowd. 



