Editorial. RACING’S DEBT TO HUNT CLUBS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 5

Editorial. RACING’S DEBT TO HUNT CLUBS

The stirring sound of the huntsman’s horn, a glimpse of hounds in full cry streaming across the gullies, flashing scarlet icoats, dashing horses and the following crowd—what does all this portend? Why, The Hunt. And we, who view the sight from afar, do we realise that this hare-and-hounds pastime is something rather more than a mere equestrian recreation of farmers’ sons and daughters? Do We ever stop and think how much we, followers of racing, owe to hunting? ' , „ , The horse is an intelligent beast. You may erect a two-foot schooling obstacle, and teach him to climb, over it. With practice he may be taught to take it in his stride, and with further experience (if he is born that way) he may “fly” three-foot-six hurdles sufficiently well to enable him to win races. But his powers” are still undeveloped. It is in the hunting field that real education is achieved. Here, in the excitement of the chase, the equine becomes one with its rider, both keen on keeping up with the pack, and if possible being in at “the death.” The up-and-down country to be traversed, the variety of obstacles to be surmounted, all tend to Improve stamina, jumping ability and thinking power of the highest standard. „ ~, And when you look through the lists of notable winners over steeplechase and hurdle obstacles in New Zealand it is not Surprising to come across the number of horses that have learned their jumping with the various hunt clubs, and one wonders how racing would fare but for the good work being done by Masteis jpf Hunts, by whips, by town and country lovers of a clean and healthy sport, and by farmers who generously allow their properties to be hunted over. All successful winners over jumps have not graduated from the hunting field, but a great majority have. All horses are not ’“born” jumpers; and the stamp of hunting experience is everywhere noticeable. And it may be safely said that all jumpers Could be improved by a season with the hounds. The hunt is responsible for a crop of young, sturdy and proficient fencers each season, while many good horses on the flat and over hurdles have been improved and perfected by being put to hunting in later years. The open field, the ditch, and the fence, sparred or otherwise, give horse and horseman something to think of all the time. It is as far apart as the Antipodes from the stereotyped racecourse, where horses race on a lawn-like ribbon of green, With hurdles set at every quarter. On the steeplechase course Conditions are more akin to the hunting field, and it is here that Experience gained in the open field is most useful. And, viewed jfrom any angle, it is admitted that the experienced hunter has a decided advantage over his course-schooled opponents when all is ilbt'plain sailing. Times were when hunt clubs received little or no recognition from either the Government or the heads of racing, and their Existence was precarious. ■ Nevertheless men and women of the good old stock carried on the sport for sport’s sake alone. Those the days before the motor-car, when one’s first ambition was not only to ride, but to ride well. Youngsters were practically “born in the saddle,” and riding came natural to them. Nowadays more are “at.home” at the wheel of a speeding car. But .Can it be said that the race has .-improved? One' doubts it very pinch. ■ ' T . „ . 4. Later on racing clubs in search of candidates for cneir moss attractive and spectacular events, hurdles and steeplechases, began to support the hunt clubs. From point-to-point racing a •move was made to the regular race track, which racing clubs Offered for annual meetings. Then an agitation was set. up to (Secure totalisator permits to enable the sport to be carried on without loss. In the regular way the trophies raced for were donated by supporters of hunting, and sweepstakes added to the jsest. And after many years of battling the necessary permits Were granted, firstly, at two-year intervals, and then annually, (until now the hunt club gathering is quite as popular as the racing club’s own meeting. These hunt club races not only cater (for hunters, but offer stake-money for horses in open and hack (plass, and are doubly welcomed by horseowners and by the sporting public. . To-morrow will see the Taranaki Hunt Club s meeting m full Swing. Good fields are listed for all manner of races, flat, hurdle and steeplechase, and, with fine weather, a first-class afternoon s gport is promised. That the attendance will be large is the hope jof everybody; in fact, it is a gathering worth travelling a long way to witness and enjoy. May the good hunting folk enjoy the best of luck in this year’s venture. ‘ —“PaHtulu,