Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22

The steeplechase Is not ali that occupies thu
people who come to Grasslands. Millions have
helped to transplant q bit of Merrie England
to Tennessee, and bring to life In America the
colorful legend Of the British hunt, "tan-tivvy"
and all. During the season at GrasSlands. there
is the spectacle Of hounds breaking into full cry
as sly Reynard scanpers across fields and
through forests.
Social life at Grasslands has been painted
with all the color that great wealth can buy
and blend. At night there are balls In grand
old Fairview Manor House agleam with candles.
One OF these events especially brings to Tennes-
see what the society editors are pleased to call
"the cream Of the Nations wealth and beauty"
That is the Bal Poudre, an Old World recep-
ton, carried out true to the pattern of masks
and powdered wigs.
Among the names of some of those who at
tend these affairs are many prominent in So
ciety In the North and East-Admiral Cary T.
Grayson, Col. r. r. Mccormick of Chicago the
Stanley Reeves of Philadelphia, the Henry
vaughans and Charlie Birds of Boston.
Formally the place is known the Southern
Grasslands Hunt and Racing Foundation. It
spreads over % miles Of Sumner County's roll
ing terrain. Members are shareholders in the
foundation, which crosses England's sport with
Southern tradition.
Included in the original committee advising
the founders were His Grace the Duke Beau
fort of England Eugene ". Connect William
Widener, Jock Whitney A. Henry Higginson,
Judge Robert w. Bingham, Mason Houghlafid.
w. w. Justice, DR.. Archibald Randolph, the late
Lord Stalbridge Of England, Louis E. Stoddard.
windsor T. White and Henry @. Vaughan all
prominent In the realm Of sport.
GRASSLANDS was constructed with an idea
to furnishing an acid test for American
aspirants at Aintree. Paul Brown and Eric
Atterbury copied Atntree in building the course.
- a.. -
hospital for weeks recovering from injuries suf-
fered in the first big steeplechaSe. Norman
Weeks met q similar inconvenience. Besides
Irish Lad. one other horse found the race fatal,
Red Gold dying two days afterward.
The course itself Is laid out In . natural
amphitheater and is two miles in circumfer-
ence. the horses starting in the center Of the
tract The 26 obstacles are almost exactly Ike
those at Aintree, except that they are made Of
sterner stuff.
For fox hunting q better expanse Of land
could scarcely be selected. Gray foxes abound,
and there are number Of the much-sought
reds Enough cover has been left for the pro-
lection Of the game, and not too much 10 hinder
the chase. The first thing the builders did was
to eliminate wire fences the bane Of fox hunt
ers. Fences throughout the grounds are Of wood
and stone.
When the building of GrassIands was begun.
q charming, century-old building Of the ram
bling Southern type was selected as the center
OF operations. 1t was given the name OF Race
Horse Tavern and serves now as club house.
1t is flanked by spacious kennels, stables and
cottages Of the members. Nearby Is the office
Of John Gourlay. governor Of Grasslands. and
final authority on all questions arising on hunts,
races and other matters
While the primary aim OF the foundation is
the furtherance of sports under ideal conditions
other pursuits indigenous to life in sequestered
section are not forgotten. The members own
great tracts of land and much of it Is well
farmed. There are herds of cattle and f1ocks
Of sheep. One of the Members Arnold Hanger
was the proud owner Of matched pair of white
steers, and when one Of them died Mr. Hanger
travelled almost around the world before he
found one to take its place. 9
At least three times q week the members
gather at dawn to cast the GraSslands hounds
and rout Sir Reynard. Tennessee looks with
mild disdain upon such folderoI as "whippers-
in" and master Of the hounds" but the neigh
borhood Is gradually being won over to the