Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-07-18
Pleasant Valley Farm Horse Show.
L. D. SALE. SPORTING EDITOR WASH. HERALD.

1t is with pleasure we announce that
Benton G. Ray, master of that magnificent
60O-acre estate in Montgomery county,
near Colesville, will be in the running again
this year with horse show.
And, if Ben has his way, and horse own
ers give him the support, he has a right to
expect, the show of 1912 will be under an
eclipse in every important detail. When
Mr.. Ray announced last summer that he
would give, on Pleasant Valley Farm"
horse show single handed, old stagers in the
business stood aghast at his exhibition Of
ice cold, trapped nerve. And it did look
to be gigantic undertaking for an mex
perienced person.
But when the day set for the event ar
rived, and between 1000 and 5000 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 fluttered 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
it to Ben and the day became a red letter
one in the history of Montgomery county.
1t requires many men of high executive
ability and of wide knowledge and expert
ence to successfully accomplish what Ben
ton G. Ray did almost single handed.
August 25th 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 60 toward
the making of an affair Of the kind men
toned. Mr.. Rays contributions of 1912
and 1918 to the general uplift of all breeds
of horses is 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 enacted
August 25th, is unsurpassed in scenic
beauty. Two hundred acres of green
sward comprise the amphitheater in which
the exposition is held. and it is doubtful
if such meadows can be duplicated in any
other part of the North American CONT
nent. On Thursday last we journeyed all
the way to Pleasant Valley Farm" to see
with our own eyes the wonders we had
been told, and found there had 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 presidents-Grant and
Cleveland
In the noble forests on the estate Grover
Cleveland shot squirrels during his two
administrations, and. it is said. that Presi-
dent Grant at one time intended to use
THE Meadows" as 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" will be a
colt sale at the close of the days events.
Mr.. Ray, it should be said in passing. is
one of the leading short horn cattle breed
ers in the United States. and won thirty
two ribbons against all corners at the
Maryland State Fair held in Laurel in 1912.
Previous to purchasing Pleasant Valley
Farm, Mr. Ray was an extensive cattle
breeder in Texas, although a native of
Montgomery county. He is a young man
of extraordinary business ability and force
of character and his home is one of the
most delightful spots where is dispensed
the genuine Southern hospitality on which
romancists love to dwell in these modern
DAYS.