EDITH SOMERVILLE and her cousin Violet Florence Martin were holidaying in Étaples in the summer of 1898 when they received a letter from their literary agent, JB Pinker. Over the previous nine years the cousins had collaborated on seven books, latterly to critical acclaim. Their careers looked to continue in a serious literary vein until the arrival of Pinker's letter, requesting light-hearted hunting stories for publication in The Badminton Magazine of Sports and Pastimes.
"And then heaven intervened," Edith recalled years later. "There befell a day so cold and wet that the extreme measure of staying in the house and doing some work became our only resource. Gradually we talked and argued into existence one after another of the little group of men and women who were destined to become for us intimate friends."
Thus began the trilogy of novels known today as The Irish R.M., among the most beloved sporting literature ever written. Those "intimate friends" have been entertaining hunting folk ever since. No one who has encountered them in print can forget Flurry Knox MFH, "a gentleman among stable boys and a stable boy among gentlemen", or the incorrigible Slipper, or Major Sinclair Yeates-resident magistrate and drily humorous narrator of the stories - or Peter Cadogan or Mrs Knox or a host of other vividly drawn characters.
No hunting person can remain unmoved reading the wonderful hunting scenes, following Major Yeates over the West Cork banks in the wake of Mr Knox's hounds.
No one, of course, could have been better placed to write authentic hunting stories than Edith Somerville. Her brother Aylmer had revived the flagging West Carbery in 1891, and handed over the mastership to Edith upon his retirement in 1903. She was to continue in the role until 1929.
Denne historien er fra February 29, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra February 29, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change