ENGLISH.
The following letter is from the Field : —
Sir, — An attempt is again being made to reduce cross-country racing, commonly called steeplechasing, to the level to which it had descended a few years since. By the pliableness of clerks of courses, and by the connivance of committemen, and often of local stewards with interested owners, the jumps, which during the era preceding fairly represented the boundaries of fields and farms, most certainly no longer did so, for the reason that the ditches had nearly all disappeared. Each season saw the courses more and more reduced to a sham by use of the spade, aud it is sate to say that not one jump then remained where the ditch was left on the taking off side. '- I do not suppose the G.N.H. Committee bad any idea, as some of your correspondents assert, of so altering matters that the money given by | the public should be won by half-bred hunters, i their object, no doubt, being to restore the sport from being a contemptible sham. They therefore made a rule, after abundant consideration, that thero should be at least one of the i ordinary fences of England in each mile— viz., a hedge and ditch (why it is called an "open" I ditch is. incomprehensible; aditohis a ditch,- if j not open but filled in there is no longer a ditch, ! and if a rail be added it is a guarded ditch). I have read the rule again and again, and quite fail to find how any language can better describe the ordinary boundary fence met with in cross ing most English counties, Doubtless there has been blundering in making the jump, for i which the local executive of the meetings is to blame. Why, for instance, have they not sown t two-pennyworth of grass seeds over them in the i months of April or September ? This would i have put an end to the difference between them and the ordinary field boundary. > All horsemen know that a hedge with a ditch on the taking off side is a better criterion than any other fence of a horse's ability to cross the country. The young horse first baulks at it, so does the uneducated old one from the heath or downs. If falls and refusals occur, they are to i blame who risk their horses and friends in attempting to win money with tools not up to the mark, not the men who are endeavouring to preserve tho reality of an old English sport. The rail, however, is a mistake, and it is a pity the committee yielded to the clamour for it ; but it is curious to note that when carried away the fir6t time round, the riders invariably make for the opening. A far better plan is to turn & row of sods on the brink. It comes therefore to this: Are the courses to be made for the horses, or should not rather the horses be made for the courses? Race riding all round is the most dangerous English amusement for life and limb, but by skill and care this danger can he much reduced. Baulking and refusals occur at the regulation hedge and ditch, but far more falls at hurdles, and in the main they are more serious. How your correspondent " X.0.D. " can advocate a stiff flight of poais and rails surprises me. Mr E. P. Wilson fell last spring in a hurdle race ; his life was long in jeopardy. At Epsom, on April 19, Koster, Throne, and Sandpiper fell in the Great Metropolitan, aud M. Cannon and Woodburn were carried to the stand. At Manchester, Bridgeman, too, fell in a flat race, and was destroyed. On May 31, at Wye, the colt by Trappist fell in & hurdle race, broke his leg, and was destroyed. On September 21, at Ayr, Sun Glint' was, killed, and Gray most seriously injured. On October 1 Gossmore fell at some hurdles ; his rider, Geo. Pook.was killed. At Dunstall Park, Blue'3,el) fell in a hurdle race, and John Holman was badly hurt, and removed to Wolyerhanaptpn Hospital ; and yet the G.N.H. are to be , petitioned to shorten the hurdle racecourses., , In my opinion inoreased security for the riders can only be sought in lengthening the courses, the jumps of all kinds can then be more, safely negotiated; and that no steeplechase should,beless than three miles, or hurdle race two and ,-& half miles.— Cavalry Ma-job.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 23
Word Count
740ENGLISH. Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 23
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