Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-04-11
All EQUESTRIAN FEAST
Men Dine on Horseback In a
New York Ballroom.
OATS KEPT TEE sFEBDs QUIET.

formed Into n sylvan scene For g.
h. G.. Billings Dinner TO Thirty
three Guests - Courses served on
Tables Attacked to saddles.
Thirty-three blooded saddle horses
paved the floor of the grand ballroom
Of Sherry's. in New York, the other
night. Ranged in horseshoe formation
in the splendid room tlirty-three men
dined astride Of fancy horsehesh, says
the New York World.
The dinner was given by c. X. G.
Billings in celebration of his election
as president of the Equestrian club,
and by it the millionaire horse owner
wins the social laurels that are re-
served for those who give society a
new sensation.
This lsraebael5 dinner in a second
story Ia the Sherry ballroom is the
unique affair of the season, casting in
to the shade all the monkey dinners"
and other efforts at novelty in the way
of entertainment with which society
has tried to amuse itself.
At midnight the news that the dinner
was taking place at Sherry's became
known. 1t had been expected that the
scene would be in Mr.. Billings new
stables. Every effort had been made
to keep it secret. 1t was the ambition
of Mr.. Billings to give his eliminates
the most memorable dinner that had
yet been eaten, and he did it.
The thirty-three horses were taken
into Sherry's in such a I'M as to
attract the least attention. Brought
two at a time from a fashionable riding
academy, they were placed. upon the
passenger elevator on the Forty-fourth
street side. hoisted to the second story
and tethered in the ballroom. Then
the preparations began. Each horse
was equipped with a white quilted sat
IN saddle and bride. martingale and
shoulder hangings In gold and white.
Each guest was designated to his place
by his name lettered in gold on the
cantle of q saddle. In the center of
the horseshoe formed by the animals
was a mound of green, surmounted by
q mass of flowers. The grassy sides
sloped off into a lawn, which spread to
the horses fore feet.
The astonished diners beheld a scene
of rural beauty. The room had been
transformed by the use of scenery,
fountains, growing field flowers and
real grass into, a biz of open country.
Beside each horse was a satin up
holstered mounting box, from which
the diner in the saddle was served. A
board fastened athwart the pommel Of
tile saddle served as q table, and that
the steeds would not curvet or pfance
or shy and so spill gravy or salad a
liyeried groom stood at each horses
head.
Meeting at the apartments of Mr..
Billings in the Netherland, the thirty.
three guests were driven to Sherry's
and seated at a previously prepared
banquet board ON the ground floor.
Here a first course of soup was served.
Then Mr.. Billings rose and expressed
his sorrow that be was unable to en-
terrain his eliminates at a novel dinner,
as he had intended to. He blamed the
newspapers for spelling his surprise by
telling the story of the horseback din
ner he had planned to take place at bis
new stables on Washington heights.
eve been forced to call the affair
off" he said. Then he proposed that
the party have the remainder of the
dinner in the ballroom, where they
would enjoy greater privacy.
That there was surprise when the
guests beheld the array of horses Is ex-
pressing 1t mildly. While they won
dered Mr.. Billings glowed with pleas
ure. The equestrian guests entered
fully into the spirit of the affair, and
soon the first banquet in the saddle
vas in full swing.
And while the guests ate so did the
horses. While the courses were <eing
served from the mounting blocks to
dishes which were secured in holders
on the saddle tables the horses MUNICH.
ed oats from individual satin covered
hangers,
Twelve courses were served; then b
cables Were removed from the pom
mels and the guests lounged over their
cigars in the padded saddles. Speeches
followed. mostly laudatory of Mr.. Bill
lings. At midnight the diners were
still in the saddle.
The Equestrian club elects a presi-
dent every two months. Former Mayor
Grant vas the previous president.
When a new president is elected, he
must give a dinner. and there is an am
bition on the part of each newly elect,
ed president to provide a more novel
affair than that given by his predeces
sor.
Surely Mr.. Billings has set a mark
that will be hard to beat!