CHAPTER XXXIII 
HORSE RACING, HUNTING AND POLO 
As may be imagined, in a Colony where the 
principal industry is farming in one form or another, 
any sport connected with horses is not likely to 
be neglected. Ever since there were ioo resident 
Europeans in the Protectorate Nairobi has had its 
race-meetings. At first, of course, such meetings 
were very informal, though by no means the less 
pleasant on that account. Everyone who had a horse 
with four temporarily sound legs meant having a ride ; 
and many such a horse after pulling his master, wife, 
and friends up to the course came from between the 
shafts and for one brief crowded hour became a race¬ 
horse, to resume in the evening his less ambitious role. 
All that is now altered. Nairobi has a very pretty 
race-course and three properly managed and conducted 
meetings are held a year. Not only are such meet¬ 
ings most enjoyable in themselves, but they form the 
object for a general meeting of farmers, prospectors, 
and planters. The three weeks are therefore crowded 
with affairs of business, affairs of politics, and social 
pleasures of all sorts. At these times the planter 
from Malindi or from the Lake, the sheep farmer 
from Naivasha, the horse-breeder from Kenia, and 
3 2 4 
