The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-12
VOL. XLIlL-N0. 242.
TILE POLO CLUBS FIRST DAY
SOME GLORIOUS sPORT ON THE JE-
ROME PARK GROUNDS.
terd Maudeviiic's splendid victsries-The
Riding Of the Ten Mexican Mustang
Ponies-Mr. Bennetfs Wonderful Powers
. of Eudurance-A Brilliant Beginning.

Lord Mandeville's spicndtd Ntc'erier
Riding Of the Ten Mexican musnna
Popie.-Mr. Benneu's wonderful Powers
Of Enduranoe-A Brilliant Beginning
There was n futtcr among the social
stars Of FIFTH avenue yesterday morning. when II
was wbispered that Mr.. James Gordon Dennetts
Polo Club intended to enjoy their first practice
game In tho afternoon on the Jerome Park
grounds. A SUN reporter was cordially well
coined as one OF the favored spectators Of the
game. Tho eleven ponies that had been rumi-
mating at Seacacus, N. j., arrived at the park In
tbe morning. They are thin and tough and
were evidently elsh'od. The ten ponies that
were fellow passengers with thom from tho RIO
Grando had been most skilfuly groomed, and
MIR. Harry Blossom, the trainer. did not exhg-
perate when he said They're as pretty as pic
turos" The sleek and lively little fellows wore
indeed as pretty as pictures, as In their brand
new saddles and brides their faces were turned
outward from their stalls. Their names were
cropped close, and their tails were cut short.
The smallest and handsomest. gray pony, had
been chosen expressly for Mr.. Benefits use.
The Texan and the Mexican grooms watched
over the little quadrupeds as though they were
mother, ministering to the wants Of frctful
The grounds in front OF the club house had
NOT been sufficiently drained. and plot in the
extreme southern part OF the park was selected
for the practice game. Posts and naRs merking
while tent was raised. A small table and
yalise W ere put Into the tent. and camp chairs
the rough stone wall that marks the southern
boundary Of tho park had been seized by all the
small boys from Furdham and the neiehbor-
hood. as the best place from which to view tho
game
nounctd the approach Of MIR. Bennetts spi tied
fOur-in hand, and few minutes later the coach
rumbled down the road TO the gate. Mr.: Ben;
nett handled the ribbons with the easy grace OF
a master whip. Five ladies and three gentle
men were In the coach. After the passengers
aghted, Mr. Bennett descended from his LOFTY
seat, and, followed by small boy carrying a
large valise, the proprietor OF the Herdd hast-
renee and Leonard Jerome, Lord Vaudeville
HOwland Robbins, Winnie Thorne, Col. JAY,
Gussie Jay, aud MIR. Mott, Mr.. Purdy, Mr..
Travers, and MIR. Kane went into the tent. The
tent contained a small table, n bottle OF whis:
Key. and bottle OF brandy, several glasses, and
English riding breecnes high top boots, white
shirt, white neck handkerchief, and blue and
In undress uniform Around his waist he wore
Awhile handkerchief. lie was Ia the best pos
sible bumor, and smoked cigar and chatted
with the ladies' He wore heavy white over
coat until it was time to mount his pony, and
dear life. The frsky little pony isbed about
in glee, ana Mr.. Bennett gaily hourished his long
Lord Vaudeville wore a close-ntting blue
shirt, English riding breeche,, boots, aud a
white, c1p., lie was unquestlonably the most
graceful rider on the grounds. Winnie Thorne
wore pins silk shirt, riding breeches, boots.
aud blue cap.
There were ten ponies and ten riders. In a
toss f'r choice OF position and men between
Mr.. Bcnnett and Lord Vaudeville, the former
won. He selected Col. Jay ana Messrs. Mott,
Kan - and Purdy AS his To iin, and the southern
goal for position. Lord Vaudeville named
Messrs Robbins. rhOrne, rravers and Gussie
JAY MIR. Harry Blossom was umpire. Mr.. Ben
netts team were In readiness and facing Lord
Vaudeville team wnen MIR. Blossom shouted to
the man VINO held the smyll wooden ball and
VINO stood In the centre Of the grounds.
Co" said Mr. Dlesson IN a ringing voice, and
the man tossed the ball into the air. Instantly
the opposing teams made dash for the ball.
MIR. Bennett carried his long mallet us though IL
was spear and he engaged in deadly conflict.
The others reckless in their hourishes.
Lord Vaudeville was the ftst to strike the bail.
The ponies we're bswildered and the mallets be
came sadly mixed some Of the players with
their ponies. The sportsmen worked with
allCnng vigor To force the ball through the
goal IN the opposing side. Lord Mahdeyllle was
victorious in the nrst game. lie personally won
Tor his party five games. Mr. Bennett won one
game and made one foul. Fouls we're also re-
corded against Gusse Jay and Winnie Thorne.
Between the games the players lunched on
the greatest endurance. When all the Other
players were painting for breath, slipping from
their saddles, or dropping their mailets, he was
as fresh ns tue clover III the fields clos, by, and
when Mr Robbins gaspod, I'm done, Mr.. Ben
nett appcalingly said, "On, let's have anothei
game" II WIS nearly nightfal and II was use
less to urge the players TO continue, Two oi
were captured after a hard chase. Altogether the
nrst Practice game of the Polo Club-in fact the
Orst ever played by any club IN this country
Was hisby creditable 10 the clue.