The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-07-13
By l.. ID. SALE.

BY L. d. SALE.
II is with pleasure we announce that
Benton G. Ray, master Of that magnifi-
cent 6oO-acre estate in Montgomery Coun-
ty, near Colesville, will be in the running
again this year with Q horse show.
And. IL Ben has his way. and horse
owners give him the support. he has
right to expect. the show Of 1912 will be
under an eclipse in every important de-
tail When Mr.. Ray announced last
summer that he would give, on Pleasant
Valley Farm" a horse show single hand
ed, old stagers in the. business stood
aghast at his exhibition of ice cold.
trapped nerve. And 1t did look to be
a gigantic undertaking for an inexperi-
enced person.
But when the day set for the event ar
rived, and between 1000 and 6.09 sub
stantial citizens from different parts OF
the country began to hammer at the
ponderous gates Of Pleasant Valley
Farm for admittance and would not be
denied, the doubling Thomases fiuttered
the white flag Of surrender and Joined
the procession. And when they passed
within the gates they found horses of
every breed in line to receive them. from
the animal who hits his chin when he
shows his PAGES, to the light harness.
thoroughbred, draft and pony breeds,
and found the Fort Myer cavalry also
there looking warlike and ready to hand
out their thrills, every one handed 1t to
Ben and the day became red letter
one in the history Of Montgomery County.
1t requires many men of high executive
ability and of wide knowledge and ex-
perience to successfully accomplish what
Benton G. Ray did almost single handed.
August %. Is the day set by him for
another exposition of the latest word in
horse breeding and horse mannering. and
the very latest word in vehicles, horses
and all the other equipments that go
toward the making of an affair Of the
kind mentioned. Mr.. Rays contributions
of 1872 and 1913 to the general uplift Of
all breeds of horses. Is a direct appeal
to every man who loves and admires
the most useful. beautiful, intelligent. and
noblest of all animals that God has given
to man for his pleasure. comfort, and
prosperity.
The setting for the drama to be enact
ed August Is. 10 unsurpassed In scenic
| beauty. Two hundred acres Of green
sward comprise the ampitheater in which
the exposition is held. and it is doubtful
| If such meadows can be duplicated in
any other part of the North American,
Continent On Thursday last we jour-
neyed all the way to Pleasant Valley
Farm" to see with our own eyes the
| wonders we had been told, and found
there mad been no exaggeration in regard
to the beauty Of THE Meadows" nor in
regard to the farm proper, whose farm
roof has sheltered in times past two
lPresidents-Grant and Cleveland.
. .
In the noble forests on the estate
Grover Cleveland shot squirrels during
his two administrations, and, 1t Is said,
that President Grant at one time intend
ed to use "The Meadows" as q private
driving park where he might, on occasion,
exercise and speed his trotters One of
the new features of the coming horse
show ON 'The Meadows" win be a colt
sale at the close OF the days events.
Mr.. Ray, II should be said in passing, Is
one Of the leading shogt horn cattle
breeders In the United States. and won
thirty-two ribbons against all Corners at
the Maryland State Fair held in Laurel
in 1872. Previous to purchasing Pleasant
Valley Farm" Mr.. Ray was an extensive
cattle breeder In Texas. although q ma
tive Of Montgomery County. He ID q
young man Of extraordinary business
ability and force Of character. and his
home Il one Of the most delightful spots
where Il dispensed the genuine Southern
Hospitality on which romancists love to
dwell In these modern dayas
- A.f
The Grand Circuit 10 ON with whisx
And, for the FIRST time In almost gene
ration the ancient Cleveland. Ohio. asso-
citation has had the honor Of presenting
the nrst act Of the light harness horse
drama Of 1873 The old Clevelands track.
Iover which such stellar attractions a.
Maud g.. the demon trOtter clingstone.
IPAtron. smuggler. Goldsmith Nan. and
scores Of other stars Of fhAvfy sud thirty
lfve yeaes ago paraded 70 the delight an1