# Harkaway — Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man character guide

> Harkaway in Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man by Siegfried Sassoon.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Highly strung old Harkaway, dear old Harkaway

**First appearance:** 0006-iv

## Snapshot

A chestnut gelding with a white blaze and a brilliant reputation, bought for fifty pounds and destined to carry the narrator through his boldest days in the field.

## Who they are

Harkaway arrives in the narrator's life through a stud groom's knowing advertisement, a horse already well known with the Dumborough Hounds. His owner, Mr. Gaffikin, praises him as the boldest performer he has ever ridden, and the narrator's confidence grows with every fence the horse carries him over. The purchase marks a turning point: the narrator stops being a spectator and becomes a rider with a real partnership beneath him.

## In the story

### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii-a-fresh-start)

The chestnut horse George rides during his early hunting preparations.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv)

The horse bought from Mr. Gaffikin; described as bold and improving with easy work.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/v)

George imagines jumping every fence with Harkaway, though he has yet to understand the farmer's perspective.

### [A Day with the Potford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv-a-day-with-the-potford)

Sherston's horse, who goes lame with an overreach after the hunt, but is cared for by Dixon.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the horse the narrator rides, imagining himself landing over a post-and-rails on him.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii)

George's horse, whose stamina is insufficient for hard hunting but who shows courage and bold jumping.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii)

George's horse; described as highly strung but capable, and shares a close bond with Dixon.

### [Arrival at Hoadley Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i)

George's horse, which he worries is not strong enough for his weight.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i)

The narrator's horse, described as in good form during the hunt but showing signs of fatigue after galloping.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii)

Ridden by Dixon during training gallops.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i)

Another horse in the paddock, contemplated by the narrator and Stephen.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/characters/harkaway
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/characters