SEASON 1882-83 167 



them again. One of his favourite mounts was the 

 old white horse Grey Bob, just the stamp for 

 Leicestershire, standing a trifle under 16 hands 

 on short legs, possessing great beam, bone, and 

 muscular development with unusual freedom. 

 Belvoir Grey Bob earned a place on the scroll of 

 fame, for he carried Frank before a thrusting 

 Leicestershire field for eleven seasons, and that 

 without ever giving him a fall that could be attri- 

 buted to the fault of the horse. On a certain Ash 

 Wednesday, with an enormous field out, a stranger 

 lady crossed Grey Bob at a fence, and the 

 consequence was upset horse and rider. However, 

 she never stopped to pick him up, and probably 

 thought there were plenty more huntsmen to take 

 his place. In Gillard's opinion the old horse was 

 quite capable of paying his way as a chaser, for he 

 had a great turn of speed. By some mischance he 

 was drafted from the hunt stables, and reappeared 

 the following season carrying his new purchaser. 

 Frank was naturally much distressed at losing his 

 old favourite, and this got to the knowledge of the 

 Hon. Lancelot Lowther, who, without saying any 

 more about it, bought the horse and presented him 

 as a personal gift to Gillard. The only conditions 

 were, that when Grey Bob died his fore legs 

 should be sent to the donor, and this was of course 

 gratefully done, one of the hoofs being again re- 

 turned to Frank, mounted as the base of a massive 

 silver candlestick bearing a suitable inscription — 

 " ' Grey Bob,' ridden by Gillard from November 

 1881 to April 1892." 



