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James Swan, Robert Swan and Thomas Gray mentioned in article about "tilting"



The Falkirk Herald. - January 2, 1851.

[Page 3]

Tilting. - This equestrian game, which has been much in vogue in Lanark and its neighbourhood these two years, came off on Tuesday the 24th ult., in a new and more difficult style than hitherto. Upwards of twenty gentlemen staked ten shillings each, to be awarded in three prizes, for a game to come off according to the following rules :- A ring of about two and a half inches diameter, to be suspended about ten feet from the ground, which ring was to be caught, as usual, ot a full gallop, by a lance of about seven feet long ; but, before coming to the ring, each horse with his rider had to leap a three feet hurdle thirty yards after passing the ring, and the rider to carry the ring (if taken) on his lance over the last hurdle :the number of chances to each was twelve. The game commenced, and, after a little "Johnny Gilpin" work being evinced in the first and second leaps, by a gentleman or two not experienced in "hurdle taking," everything went off well, and the prizes were awarded by James Swan, Esq., Collierhall, who presided as judge, as follows :- 1st, a hunting saddle, to Mr Walter Toward, Lanark, who took seven rings, and was mounted upon Mr Tennent's (coalmaster of Nethanfoot) "Black Jock," which performed all his work in such a cool, deliberate, and masterly style, that he neither refused nor touched a hurdle in all his leaps ; second, a double bridle and martingale, to Mr John Toward, Commercial Inn, Lanark, who took five rings, and who was maunted [sic] upon his own mare, "Betsy, maid of all work ;" third, a superior silver-mounted switch, to Mr Thomas Gray, of Chapel Coalworks, who took three rings, and who was mounted upon Mr Robert Swan's (coalmaster of Chapel Coalworks) mare "Archeress." In addition, we may add, that a number of horses distinguished themselves in "hurdle taking," amongst which was Mr Currie's (messenger in Lanark) horse "Piper," which was admired for his free and bounding leaps. The prizes were very tastefully and handsomely furnished, by Mr A. Sommerville, saddler, Lanark.

PlaceLanarkshire, Scotland
Latitude55.583333
Longitude-3.8333330000000387
Linked toJames Swan; Robert Swan

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