Handling the Reins

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 8

Handling the Reins

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Will you please allow me through your valuable columns to say a few words of congratulation to the Manawatu Trotting Club, local owners, drivers and trainers, and also to the visiting owners, drivers and trainers. Now, sir, as I spent my younger days in the home of trotting (Christchurch), I would naturally be a spectator at your local meeting, and as I wander through the crowd, I meet old and new friends and the conversation usually starts with; “Are you doing any good, and how do you like the trots?" The answer is: “I would rather the gallops. The trots are too slow."

Now, Sir, in my opinion there is nothing slow about them. The horses give exhibitions to the public all the time in preparation to start. Any horse can gallop so long as you flog him along, but I think it wonderful the speed those trotters do without breaking, and I will never forget the manner in which those men handled the reins in the last race. Instead of a tight, careful rein, in case of the least mistake—or I suppose being the last race of the day—they thought, here goes! The reins were just simply slung across the horse's rump and with that whip coming down they flew past the judge still trotting, or racing. Wonderful horses! Now, Sir, should any of your readers not be trotting followers, I hope when they notice my remarks that they will do a fast prelim- ! inary to the next meeting of the Manawatu Trotting Club. —I am, etc., ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. Tokomaru, April 4.