Warrior and Galloper Jack

By admin, January 22nd, 2012 | Rider Recommends | 0 Comments

Just finished reading ‘Warrior – The Amazing Story of a real War Horse’ by General Jack Seely (Lord Mottistone). Jack Seely bred Warrior – who was a thoroughbred but only 15.2HH – and they both had an incredible time during WW1. Man and horse developed a wonderful understanding to which only a true ‘horseperson’ can relate. Warrior lived to the great age of almost 33, when sadly he was put down due to feedstuff shortage in the Spring of wartime 1941 – Jack Seely would not have asked for special privilege as a man of old fashioned honour. He wrote the closing words in his book – ’26 years of intimate friendship with such a horse is a privilege granted to very few, but it has been mine’. My feeling exactly about my old Pony ‘Star’ who I was lucky enough to have for 10 years. A ‘must read’ book, together with the story of Jack Seely’s life ‘Galloper Jack’. The man had a life which, if it were not absolutely true, would not be believed. He was a Minister in Asquith’s government from 1911 to 1914. A contemporary of Churchill. He commanded the Canadian cavalry on the Western Front in WW1 and horse and rider were painted by Sir Alfred Munnings who illustrated his book about Warrior. What a character – what a horse. Enjoy…..