Back to One of two 9th Lancers albums of photos and sketches `Records of the Gujerat Cup for Pig-Sticking' c1885-1932
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THE GUZERAT CUP , 1388 . ( Bombay Gazette , April 11 , 1888. ) THERE is no sporting event in the Bombay Pre sidency that excites more interest than the above competition , especially amongst those whose king dom is the jungle side and whose sceptre is their spear . Racing , pure and simple , is no doubt an excellent thing , as without it people would be de prived of much amusement and , what is more . important , the breed and speed of horses would never be kept in their present state of perfection . Steeple - chasing , again , is most popular , as it not only tests speed , but the nérve of the rider as well . Pigsticking combines everything of these two , with the additional charm of riding over new and unknown and unmade country with the pluckie t of Nature's animals as a leader . There is a little desultory pigsticking carried on during the year at various places in these parts , and at Easter it is now the custom to invite all who love the sport , to meet and fight out who is best man at it . And there is more than honour and glory to The good men of Guzerat dip their hands deep in their pockets every year , and of silver , to give a handsome cup , weighing many shekels the winner , to become his pro- good line . perty for all time , and to be handed down to up their be won . to the skill of those who have gone before them , follows : his children's children as a standing testimony river at the end of the jungle and consisted as as an incentive to them to go and do likewise , encourage . H. H. the Thakore Saheb of Morvi gave mate rial help to Mr. White . The district officials of come , of the Bank of Bombay , laboured hours in Ahmedabad lent a helping hand , especially the Acting Executive Commissariat Officer . Mr. King one brick thick in a mile . Those fond of figures can soon calculate how many bricks go to ten miles and so on . p ressed for an adjournment , but with a mouth full of sand and water Vanity's rider roared out No. I'll be d- d if I will stop whilst I can see the boar ! " However 13st 7lb . and heavy sand made stopping a necessity , and all the ponies were done to a turn , the Arab being perhaps the freshest of the three . The umpire begged Sparrow hawk's rider " to make an effort , " but he could not . The pig obligingly kept in sight for a long distance , finally reaching the jungle unspeared , accompanied by Mr. Braid , who did his best to detain him , pending the arrival of the ponies . This run . lasted several miles , and the pig was a clinker . Next day this heat was run off from the same ank as one of the horse heats . A nice boar broke and jinked from Redskin to Vanity , giving the latter a good chance , but his rider speared stride too soon and failed to score . Vanity was very tired after the previous day's severe gallop , and could never get on terms with Mr. Askwith or the pig again , although the pig favoured both equally . Redskin got the spear , and the boar was killed after a long run by Mr. Gibb and others . The second heat was composed of Mr. M. A. H. Budd's C. B. No Name . Mr. W. Holland's C. B. Bushman . ( Winner . ) Mr. Littleton's Arab Clipper . This was a great race after a first class boar . Clipper , though fast enough to catch any hing , was not handy like Bushman . Mr. Holland rode right well and got the spear handsomely . The boar fought to the bitter end and took a lot of killing . Mr. Close scratched at the last moment , being unable to come to camp . The third heat , consisting of Mr. M. C. Gibb's C. B. Peter , Mr. A. Braid's Arab Kilwarlin ( Winner ) , Mr. Younghusband's C. B. Wadwan , were started after a boar , who soon gained Wudwan and Peter up to this point had eover . been leading , but on the boar breaking again Kilwarlin accepted a chance and won the heat . This boar , too , took a lot of killing , and though he had one tush broken , succeeded in cutting the umpire's horse slightly . The three left in the final to compete for the cup were therefore Mr. Holland on Bushman . Mr. Askwith on Redskin . ( Winner . ) Mr. Braid on Kilwarlin . 311 Mr. Littleton acted as umpire . The first attempt at a start was unsuccessful , but soon a solitary camp and after dinner the heats were drawn as follows : pig broke close to the heat and they were let Redskin was quickest away , and nearly got go . the spear in a lane , but the hog jinked off in the usual aggravating manner of their kind , and let in Bushman , who seemed bound to get Mr. Holland But the hog was always just out of Redskin got the jink , and the hog keeping straight this time , Mr. Askwith secured the cup the cup . reach . and was rewarded for his enterprise for coming all the way from Deesa . On Tuesday morning , before the camp broke up , general pigsticking was allow ed . The sport was really first class . One boar ran for two hours with three feet of spear buried in him and five other deep wounds , and wa found dead in the jungle later . A Sportsman's Paradise has been discovered at Saroda , and under such excellent management these Easter meetings are sure to be successful . as we knew him in NICK SYMONS . FIRST CHANCE - 1st heat . Mr J M Templer Mr Littleton 1891 Mr H Symons Mr A Braid , RA pig Previous meets for this cup have been held on the Nul , a grassy plain bereft of shade or anything genial , but usually well stocked with hog of the right sort . This season has been a very dry one sequence . on untiring secretary . for and as a permanent memorial of Guzerat liberality . No one out of Guzerat is allowed to subscribe , yet a l are free to ride for the cup . One sporting doctor , who has so frequently competed before . The horses are in all cases put down here in the and is now in Burma , circumvented the above order drawn , and it is hardly necessary to state that chance of being present , and so helped the funds . hog broke over the open and the umpire ( Mr. succeeding year see more competitors to the fore . cule by entering when he had not the remotest owners ride . Soon after the heat commenced two May this spirit , sper and spread , and each Younghusband ) took his men along at a brisk pace aud selected the larger one on the left . As the disappeared behind some large bunds they rather changed their original positions and Lapwing lay on the right too far , until his owner saw which hog the other three had selected . In the meantime all over Guzerat , and the Nul has suffered in con- Albatross held a lead , Blazes being last . When A the last moment it was found out Lapwing joined the others , Tally Ho lay second . been dried out , and had moved to Saroda , a to be negotiated without a thought of what was by Lalla , the shikarii , that the pig had suddenly The pace was very fast , and some big banks had village on the Sarbamatti river , 16 miles from the other side . Albatross reached the hog first , but Ahmedabad , on the Dholka Road . This was a his owner in his try for the spear failed to draw He had laid all his plans short and jinked to the left , where Lapwing and trying moment for Mr W. H. White , C.E. , the blood . The pig was so hard pressed that he stopped the occasion , and provided a most the Nul and had to move quite in another direc- Tally Ho bustled him , but could not get a chance tion . However , he was as usual quite equal to of spearing , except on the near side , which is excellent prohibited under the rules . At this period the pig and every luxury for man and beast camp in the shade at Saroda . Every necessary made off for the nullah followed by Albatross and was re- Lapwing , the former always holding the lead men bered . Fruit and ice , so much appreciated across the nullah and along a path in single file , in a dry climate , were in abundance ; grass and clear of which Lapwing made an effort to pass gram for horses ; food for servants ; camels for post Albatross but could not . Here Mr. Littleton got a beaters in the heavy jungles ; and elephants after killed . and telegrams ; bheesties to supply the camp and second chance and speared . The hog was soon trample out the stubborn hog . In fact , not an The thanks of every sportsman are due to Mr. White and to the committee , who were represented item for our comfort or our sport was forgotten . by Mr. Braid , R.A. , for every sportsman was cordial ly invited . We were sorry that the rest of the com mittee were unable to be present also . There were a great many more entries than appear in the general opinion , namely , that if a lot of men the following list , and here let us say what is enter and cannot attend they should give intima stores and such things are taken and ordered for tion at once to the secretary to that effect . If twenty and only a dozen attend , it comes a little hard on the dozen who have to pay for the absent to Mr W Holland Mr W White Mr H Askwith , RA Mr N Symons Mr H Symons Mr M C Gibb 2nd heat . Mr W Holland Mr W White Mr Younghusband Mr Askwith Mr F T Rickards Mr Younghusband 3rd heat . SECOND CHANCE - 1st heat . Mr M C Gibb Mr N Symons Mr F T Rickards 2nd heat . Mr. H. Askwith , Waler Mallard . Mr. N. Symons , Arab Ishmael . ( Winner . ) Mr. M. C. Gibb , Waler The Baby . Mr. White , the umpire , let them go at the first attempt . Ponies and pony racing are so popular now that it was quite expected that there would be as many entries for this cup as for the Guzerat cup . This cup was originally started in 1885 by the late Captain M. B. Salmon , who gave a cup for that and the succeeding year . In 1887 , when Capt in Salmon had left Guzerat , a few Bom bay sportsmen presented a cup which , like the other two , was won by Dr. Tully . This year it was thought a fitting thing to commemorate the memory of Captain Salmon , whose genial presence was so much mis sed , by getting up a cup to be called after him , and we have no doubt ample funds will Ishmael got all the best of the start , sailed past , the bear still going like a grey hound . reached the boar , turned him and himself as quick Mr. Littleton turned the pig slightly towards the as lightning , and before the Walers had fairly got others , but had so much pace to spare that they which he rarely misses . in their stride gave Mr. N. Symons a chance really never got within spearing distance . the boar escaped into the jungle . The spear was taken , but Ho lay off to the right for the jink on the other side of a cactus hedge . It looked for a moment Tally as if Lapwing and Albatross must collide at the This is intended as a gentle hint to An adjournment was made to camp for tiffin gap , but the pig gave himself the word " forward those who can send notice before the eleventh and a pony heat decided after , which will appear from right incline " and raced np under the hedge . be forthcoming every year for the same purpose hour , and later . far from trying to stop entries Albatross was here forced along at his best pace , to keep alive the name of the original donor , who was such a keen follower of this when there is the remotest chance of any one being able to be present . This cup is worth about three 1st heat . to the services of Mr. On the following morning the second heat of the and exactly at the end of the hedge Mr. Littleton mittee , but there are others who must not We have alluded first chance was drawn up by the side of a small speared , Lapwing lying a few lengths behind . and like its bigger brother is passed over in silence on this important occasion . be marked down since daylight and had been side at a clinking pace hotly pressed by Lapwing , White and the com- patch of grass , in which two nice boars had been The boar made off up the hill and down the other following was the result of the drawings : The B. B. and C. I. Railway , with their usual The competitors were : " shadowed " by a man up a tree for many hours . who presently turned him , letting in Tally Ho , liberality , carried horses the double journey at a who , not knowing that Mr. Littleton had ever single fare . The G. I. P. Railway , we hear , did tried to spear , having been prevented by a thick not see their way to extending this privilege to hedge from seeing what was going on , was in hopes the sportsman from the Deccan ( more power to of drawing first blood . His rider delivered an excellent spear , just drawing blood . The boar raced along as fresh as a daisy , being presently speared by Mr. H. ymons and carried off his The boar broke splendidly , Holland cutting out spear . This he shook out under a hedge , and it Umpire , Mr. Littleton . his elbow who travelled by that line to Bombay . Perhaps they will see their error presently and put all right , for it is clearly to the advantage of rail ways to keep us moving , no matter where or what ! the pace from the first . The boar jinked from him was some time before the owner found it . In the to the others , but Holland , even though on a pony meantime the hog was a mile off going strong , but for . A spirit of restless energy is the spiritto and competing with horses , held his own and took Albatross , Ishmael , Whitewings and others cut him second boar broke equally well for the pony heat , as " in memoriam . " Whilst all the riders were cluster the spear . The hog was shortly after killed . The off , and he died game , leaving a scratch on Albatross will be seen presently . This was a capital pi ce of ed round , a little woolly - headed camel , such a marking down on the part of Lalla the Shikarri , bonnie little beast , came running up from the and was a most interesting bit of sport . This com- grass to be petted and actually stood on the dead Mr Littleton Mr Braid , RA . 3rd heat . Mr Templer On the following morning an early start was made two Mr. H. Symons drew first blood . for the jungle . The latter consists of strips of grass on either side of the river , heavy in parts and light in others . The heavier jungle is , one sports man told us , more like Bengal jungle than any thing he has met with on this side . In places even the elephants were quite hidden . Without ele phants it would have been very difficult to keep a The first heat of the first chance took position under a shady tree near the Mr. H. Symon's Waler Lapwing . Mr. A. H. Braid's Arab Blazes . Mr. J. M. Templer's Arab Tally Ho . Mr. Littleton's Waler Albatross . ( Winner . ) A fast pig broke over the same country as most of the heats were run over , and an excellent start was made by Mr. White . Ishmael jumped off with the lead , flanked by Lapwing and The Baby . At the first opening in the cactus hedge the two latter nearly collided , and from that point Lapwing led , driving the hog down a rough lane at such a pice that he jinked off through an impassable fence , Lapwing got through lower down , and spotting the pig on the left drove him hard for a couple of fields into the grass , nearly spearing at the last . As no spear was taken the heat was declared null and void . Almost immediately after another hog broke and the riders were re - started . This proved to be the jinkiest pig of the meeting . Four keen horses were down on him at every point , and the brute did not know where to go . Every one had a cut in and White wings should at the last have given his rider the spear . The boar crossed Lapwing , and in a stride or Mr. Holland C. B. Pony . Belle . ( Winner . ) Mr. W. White , Waler Benedict . Mr. F. T. Rickards , Arab Whitewings . Mr. A. D. Younghusband , Arab Brazil . Mr. H. Symon's Lapwing . ( Winner . ) Mr. M. C. Gibb's The Baby . off , the same owner having won both the anti - finals . Mr. H. Symons and Mr. Templer are therefore not entitled to any special notice , but as they are there we will say a few words about them . The former ran in 1882 for the Bheema cup , when 38 horses competed , and lost both his chances . This year was his first appearance in the Guzerat cnp . Lapwing is a Waler 14 hands 2 in . high with a very long stride for his size and one not nearly so well adapted to turning as a stiffer and shorter galop . Besides he carried 2 stone more than Albatross , and to run up close at the finish was all that could be expected in a straight run . Lapwing was quite new to pigsticking . Mr. Templer and Tally Ho are also new to the sport . Both horse and rider deserve everything that can be said in their praise . Tally Ho is an Arab and carried fully 12 stone if not more , and we feel certain that they will be very near first spear whenever they take the field again . Whether Arabs or Walers are best for the sport need not be discussed here , but it is certain that " a good big ' un is better than a good little ' un , " whatever the breed be . There was not a horse have the meeting that Albatross could not This was a small but speedy hog , and Mr. Braid squandered in a long run and given weight away soon set his men going . Mallard got hung up in to . In the final heat he carried less than the other a big fence early in the run , the others turning the two by one or two stone . We consider this heat boar into a lane towards the jungle . Brazil could was made for the old horse . Where his and his not catch the hog in the lane , but Tally Ho , who had rider's performance strikes one as being so good is been lying wide on the right , crossed to his left and in winning all the previous heats after small got on to the hog as he came out of the lane . Tally jinking hog in a close country . Ho and Brazil hal a good race for the spear , includ ing a jump and a turn at right angles . Tally Ho was We were very sorry to see our old friend Wood quickest round and got the spear , the hog being pigeon , winner of two cups , not taking part in the immediately after killed by the umpire and others . heats . The old horse bruised his foot before the There were now left these three last winners , in- meeting , and was not once allowed a romp at the old cluding Mr. Littleton , to compete to see who should game he knows and loves so well . He looked on ride Mr. Littleton for the final and cup . On Tues- wistfully . Mr. White's famous old Waler Benedict day morning a move was made across the river and rather spoilt his owner's chance for the cup by a line soon formed in a grass jungle . Nothing carrying him 12 miles after a nilghai a few weeks suitable broke from here , but from an ad- ago with about 14 stone up . But the blue bull joining sugarcane field a nice boar was soon died . dislodged . The riders were And now , readers , we must close with a hope that every one who wishes to see the best sport in the whole year in these parts will enter and run for the Guzerat cup of 1889 - and Mr. White gave the boar a long start as he every one should wish the camp at Saroda again . was pointing away for the open . Eventually received the order to ride and THE SALMON PONY CUP . they wanted no second signal . In front was a fair junip , in which Tally Ho got the pull at a gap . As soon as Lapwing got over he closed with the half a mile the pace was a cracker , Lapwing even Arab with Albatross lying on the right . For fully tually wearing down Tally Ho . Here Albatross Mr. N. Symon's Ishmael . Mr. F. T. Rickard's Whitewings . Mr. Younghusband then started the following after a good boar : Mr. Holland's Belle . Mr. White's Benedict . Mr. Littleton's Albatross . ( Winner . ) Mr. Braid's Blazes . In the meantime the third heat of the first the horsemen chance had been started from the same jungle after a nice boar . The riders were : the sun , dealing with stubborn cartmen and bullocks . pleted the first chances of the first heats for the boar to have its head rubbed . This run was the A little hog broke and took a bee line for the and was of great assistance to Bombay competitors ; Littleton , Mr. N. Symons and Mr. Holland . These was worth a year's savings to take part in . Guzerat cup , leaving the respective winners Mr. best of the meeting , and over a perfect country , and open . It was fully half a mile before the word Many to ride was given , and a good race took place up been sixteen miles away from a town in a large has been omitted above , for any one who has not ed in the afternoon by Mr. Askwith after a supplied daily with fresh fruit . We trust no one first chance . These three winnners were start- received on winning with so much in hand . and last but not least , a lady in Bombay kept us three had to compete again for the final heat of the and hearty were the congratulations Mr. Littleton to a nullah , where all three riders and the pig arrived boar . Ish nael led off , but was soon together . Redskin took the lead here , and for a mile it was a procession headed by the pig . Matters horses that wou And now for a little gossip regarding the men and looked well for Redskin in a lane , but some coolies the cup and ran in turned the unclean beast , and he was lost for a camp can have any idea how valuable the smallest flying assistance is . The road from Ahmedabad to Dholka collared by Albatross . At this point Holland the in the next fence , which was a The cup is worth approxi- river . Vanity was le t behind looking for the hog some a is made up by bricks - about three hundred thou sand of them are laid Each year a new had not the others turned it . Here Vanity joined cup laudable effort is being made with this road to make fence tried the jumping powers of the three . take the latter first . is , like all Guzerat roads , " mostly sand . " However , a on his pony passed all of them , and a nasty the final heat and about the cup itself . We will while eventually being seen slaking his thirst at the spear whilst the others were trying to get out of it pucka . No stone is procurable , and the deficiency high one , found a gap , nipped through and got the mately a thousand rupees , so it is not only a hand- at this point , and would never have seen it again their difficulties . Mr. Littleton is purchased by the committee , the winner them as the pig dived into the sugarcane in the therefore stood being asked to select it , and it becomes the abso- river bed . The others wished to stop , but at that whatsoever . The first cup was run for in 1885 and Round the lute property of the winner without any conditions moment Mr. H. Symons saw the pig and declined . cane the pig came out and Mr. N. Symons , the latter ultimately winning the Again resulted in a dead heat between Mr. Littleton and nearly caught by Vanity , but got back again . " no heat " was asked for and refused . aside as the winner of the first chances . A few sportsmen preceded the general body and had excellent target practice at running deer , & c . to be decided . The first heat consisted of The second chances of each rider now remained was The bags were , however , out of all proportion to the labour spent and drinks consumed . By Friday tie . winner . night , the 30th March , twelve had collected in The next year saw Captain M. B. Salmon the The umpire was not up then . A third time the Last year Mr. Bulkley was successful . pig appeared , and this time reached the river . The cup has come to Bombay twice and remained Down the bank went Vanity into deep water and rolled over , the pig gaily swimming in front . For the third time the other competitors Albatross led off followed by Belle and Blazes in close attendance . Blazes got his chance , but Mr. Braid failed to draw blood . Albatross then took up the running and enabled Mr. Littleton to give umpire and that is all . a gentle touch , which was just enough to satisfy the posed of The third heat of the second chances was com Mr. Younghusband's Brazil . Mr. Askwith's Mallard . Templer's Tally Ho . ( Winner . ) Mr. Littleton on Waler Albatross . ( Winner . ) Mr. Templer on Arab Tally Ho . Mr. H. Symons on Waler Lapwing . SPORTING . GUZERAT PIG - STICKING CUP , 1888 . COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT , COL , JACKSON . COL . HANCOCK . COL . WESTMACOTT , THE HON . SEC . , AHMED W. H. WHITE , ESQ . , C.E. , HONORARY SECRETARY . The Meet will take place , as usual , during the Easter Holidays , commencing March 30 , 1888 , at the " Nál , " in the Ahmedabad district . The exact value of the Cup and first Spears will depend upon subscriptions , but approximately will be Rs , 1,000 and Rs . 30 respectively . Mess tents , messing and ice will be provided , but com petitors must bring their own sleeping tents , liq , & c . First entries , Rs . 15 each , will close on 28th February ; Second entries , Rs . 30 each , 15th March ; half forfeit . Gentlemen are requested to send their entries to the Honorary Secretary at Morvi as soon as possible , so as to enable the Committee to know approximately how many to arrange for . ABAD HUNT , THE SALMON " PONY CUP , value Rs . 250 , for ponies . Arabs 13-2 , C. B. 133 and under , will be ridden for at the Meeting . Half an inch allowed for shoes . Ponies may be measured at the Meet , and W. I. T. C. certificates will be accepted . Entries free . RULES . A competitor will be allowed two chances only , for which he may buy two entries , and may ride any horses bona fide his own property , or the same horse twice in different heats . The drawings for heats will be so arranged that no two chances of the same owner will be drawn in the same heat . Catch weights , owners up . In the event of an owner being disabled by a fall he may put up a rider , who must be of not less weight than himself , or approved by the Committee . Contesting Spears to be divided into parties of three or four , and the takers of first Spears of each party to contend for following heats and final Spear and Cup . To take first Spear it is not necessary that the hog should be killed , but blood must be drawn and seen on pig or on spear by Umpire , or other riders at the discretion of the Umpire . Spears to be delivered on the offside only unless by a left - handed man , who must declare before starting . Spears are not to exceed 8 feet in length . An Umpire will accompany each party , who will , if possible , settle all disputes ; but who can , if in doubt , submit the point to the Committee , whose decision on all matters will be final . Any rider , making a frivolous objection or claiming first Spear when the claims thereto cannot be substanti ated , will be fined one dozen of champagne . Foul riding is not allowed . Intentional collision be tween riders or horses constitutes foul riding , and con viction thereof will disqualify at the discretion of the Committee . in Guzerat twice . It will be remembere . that Mr littleton won the Bheema cup ( the last time it was run for ) on his Waler Kestrel , and Mr. Little ton is the only one in this Presidency who has ever won on Walers . Albatross is a well - bred horse , over 15 hands , better known in Madras than here , where he carried his former owner , Colonel Symons , hundreds of miles up and down the Ootacamund hills without once making a mistake . In the last Bombay Sky Races he tried to race with the modest impost of 13 st . 12lb and failed ! For the cup he carried a little over 11 stone all told . This was Albatross ' first essay after pig . Strictly speaking the heat that won the cup was not the final heat , as the latter was never run W. H. WHITE , C.E. , Honorary Secretary . at Morvi , Kattywar , February , 1888 . Mr Askwith Mr N Symons Mr A H Budd Mr Holland Mr H Close Mr M C Gibb 2nd heat . 3rd beat . exciting sport . hundred rupees , won outright . The Mr Hi Symons Mr Littleton Mr Braid , RA Mr Younghusband Captain Braid marshalled his men for the first heat at about four o'clock in the afternoon , and they were mounted as follows - Mr. Askwith on C. B. Redskin . Winner . Mr. N. Symons on Arab Sparrow - hawk . Mr. H. Symons on C. B. Vanity . |
