The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-29
Thrilling Scenes Mark the Play
in the Contest With the
Blues.
SCORE OF FOUR TO NOTHING.
Hobart and Bettner Ride a Great
Race to Test the Mettle of
Their Ponies.

the talk is OF the great events or the day
polo, fast riding, the sudden and dangerous
wheels, striking stops, and of the complete
triumph Of the Pinks over the Blues.
1t was a thrilling scene at times when the
six ponies and their bold riders became
punched in seemingly hopeless tangle,
the whole bristling with much like the
spears of a company of desperate warriors.
Society stood by and cheered with its
dainty hands and applauded with its cul-
tured voice each brilliant play sufficiently
to reward each and all of the contestants
for the hard work and dangers they were
mourning for the benefit of the select.
The field was slow, dead, dusty and so
soft that the ball would get lost and re-
quire mining for almost every charge, but
the game was fought to finish in man.
ner to win the hearty plaudits OF all who
witnessed the game.
At times it was even fierce enough to
send a genuine thrill through the frames
of the spectators. The game was inaug-
urated shortly after 8 o'clock, and until
$50 the spectators were highly interested
in the proceedings.
The ponies could not well be surpassed
mettlesome and plucky, swift and abso-
lutely tireless, they seemed fitted by nature
and training for the arduous work re-
quired of them. The riders, too, were
keyed up to concert pitch, every one of
them, and it was plainly to be seen that to
win or know the reason why was the de-
termination of each one of them.
Captain J. S. Tobin, with Messrs. Mar
tin, Henshaw and Baldwin, the team that
defeated Mr.. Hobart's team on Monday,
came against Captain Malcolm Thomas,
with Messrs. Baylard, Simpkins and
Wheeler, the former wearing pink and the
latter sporting blue as their distinctive
colors.
It was "pink" day. They won at every
turn, not allowing their opponents the poor
satisfaction of even one score.
The game stood at the close to in
favor Of the "Pinks." But barring the
tale as told by the score, it was no walk
over. The game was holly, albeit unsuc-
cessfully, contested from start to finish.
In the first bout the "Pinks'' won a
score by the brilliant playing of Mr.. Tobin,
who, on securing the ball after a
long mix-np of all forces near the
center of the field during which
time the ball was repeatedly buried
in the loose sand, sent it flying toward the
goal, and by his hard riding and brilliant
playing drove it fast and furiously without
let up or hindrance between the flags. A
loud shout greeted this excellent play on
his part.
In the two succeeding bouts, although
hard fought throughout, neither side was
enabled to score.
In the fourth bout the 'Pinks" went in
with a vengeance and some very pretty
work was done, especially on the part OF
Mr.. Tobin and Mr.. Baldwin, each of whom
seemed to be closely welded to the ball.
In this last bout the 'Pinks' scored three
times, making the game stand four to
nothing, as above indicated.
The event of the afternoon at the race
track was not polo, notwithstanding all
that has been said. The best element of
the sport of the day was the quarter of a
mile pony dash between Comanche, ridden
by Mr.. w. S. Hobart, owner, and Lady
Greensleeves, ridden by Mr.. Bettner,
owner.
This event had been dressed up for the
occasion by numerous peppery. salty and
vinegary remarks on every hand for the
previous twenty four hours. Smooth and
polished on the surface, but with an under
current of genuine feeling, had been run
ming the comments of the champions of
the respective parties.
When the hour arrived for determining
the mettle of the steeds and owners as well,
Jerome Lincoln tapped the bell with
professionals stroke, and soon the two
ponies, with owners up, appeared before
the grand stand.
Mr.. Hobart first appeared riding Com
anche. his colors being red waist with a
Maltese cross in gold. He received round
of applause, which was marked and enthu-
siastic. A moment later Mr.. Bettner came
on, mounted on as pretty bit of horse
flesh in the pony line as one seldom runs
across. He, too, received a round of
hearty applause and without more ado the
ponies were ambled to the post.
There was but moments delay, and at
the drop of the flag the little animals
fairly few down the course, leaving two
distinct trails of dust behind them. On
they came, neck and neck, bounding for
ward, still swifter and swifter under the
prick of spur and stroke of whip, the rapid
and constant use of which on Comanche
told that, for the Hobart colors, the fight
was on for all of the reserve power at com
mand.
AS they neared the grand stand it was
plain to be seen that Lady Greensleeves
was running easily and good length or
more 10 the better. Now Comanche, I'M
der the hard riding of Hobart, seemed to
gather strength for the final squirt, but it
was born of a false hope. for Lady Green
sleeves passed under the wire an easy win
ner.
Then there was cheering. Hats and
caps went aloft and lusty voices shouted
over and over again and again the cry of
rejoicing. The gentlemen from the South
had won and they and their friends were
not slow in making that fact known just
as fast and as far as possible.
1t was a beautiful race. Mr.. Hobart
shook hands with Mr.. Bettner and said /:
alt was fair and complete victory, but
will match you again"
The "Old Guard" are here tonight, and |
their faces recall the events of the past
years when the Country Club inaugurated |
these annual events. There is much regret |
expressed by the old set, or rather such OF |
them as are here, in the change which has
come over their net meeting of the wear |