THE STEEPLECHASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 2695, 12 March 1875, Page 2

THE STEEPLECHASE

{To the Editor of tbe Chroniclb.)

Sir, — Our new Jockey Club having carried out the late meeting so creditably, I think the general public and owners of jumping horses would be very pleased to see the Club take up the matter of arranging a day's good steeplechasing on the Queen's Birthday. John Walker has hitherto had to bear ali the trouble, and put up with some loss over the last two steeplechases, and should be allowed a rest. The W.J.C. is now on a good footing, and would find no difficulty in arranging for a programme something after this pattern) namely — A Maiden Steeplechase, £50, over 3 miles fair hunting country, or such jumps as might be decided on — weight for age. Grand Wanganui Steeplechase (handicap), £150, with a sweepstake of _£10 added, over 4 miles of fair hunting country, or such jumps as might be decided .n. A Selling Steeplechase, .850, two miles — weight for age if to be sold for £50, with au allowance of 71bs for every £10 below that sum, down to £20. And a j Cavalry Hurdle Race, weight for age, two i miles, over 8 hurdles, to be ridden in uniform; | all horsea entered for this race to have been I ridden on parade at least two months before I the day of the race. With some such programme as the above to place before the public the Club would not lack for funds, as the privileges of the course, together with subscriptions and entries, would amply provide for all liabilities. This district possesses a splendid lot of cross-country horses and riders, and it is to the interest of breeders to sec that their animals have an annual chance of gaining for themselves and owners the credit and profit of landing a rich stake. Such a programme as that I have imperfectly sketched would bring a large number of visitors from other parts of the colony, who would not only spend money, but would see for themselves the capabilities of our district. Steeplechasing is one of those thoroughly British sports which, among such a community as ours, can never fail to be well patronised, as the most staid of us cannot help getting enthusiastic on the subject when we recall the glorious days we have spent in the saddle when following the "spotted beauties," whose voices as they ran into view made even the old rector put spurs to his well-bred cob, and go flying down the green lane so as to see the dogs run into their quarry at the clump of willows which overhung the pond by the roadside hard by — we have no hunting here except for money, over which we don't receive " a check " half as often as we would like, and it is' only when we can witness a good field of horses streaming away over the fences at John Walker's that we recollect we are Britons, and descendants of men who never craned at a yawning brook or formidable " bullfincher," and who thought a tumble in the mud only a subject for mirth. The ladies one used to see in the hunting field at home were of a different stamp physically to their dyspeptic sisters out he.c, who think exertion a bore, and life itself very often little short of a burden. We used to have a " paper-hunt " here occasionally, but somehow the spirit of healthful sport has well-nigh died out among us, and we are fain to be content with the excitement of "teafiights" and bazaars. Let us have a day's good steeplechasing by all means, and I'll venture to assert we'll be none the worse for it. Yours, &c, •March 11. Tally- Ho.