THE DEARTH OF CAPABLE HORSEMEN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 752, 4 August 1904, Page 6

THE DEARTH OF CAPABLE HORSEMEN.

There are many people who complain that there is a very marked falling-off in the racehorses of the present day. i-as' compared with those equine giants of former years whose names are so familiar to us all. Possibly there is a certain amount of truth in the assertion, but are the horses alone in fault, and is it not a fact that innumerable races are thrown away through the utter incapacity of many of the present-day jockeys? How many really first-class horsemen were there seen wearing silk in the season just closed ? True, there were plenty of jockeys of a kind, but of the genuine artists in the pigskin the number was quite exceptionally small. The famous jockey, Mornington Gannon, himself the son of one of Eng-

land’s greatest riders, in a most interesting article in “ Fry’s Magazine ” has something to say on how a horse should be riddei.

“Some people imagine” (he writes) “that there is nothing in riding a racehorse beyond ordinary horsemanship. I have even heard trainers say that they have stable boys who can ride as well as any man living; and that there is only 31b difference between an experienced jockey and a stable boy. I have noticed, however, that these very trainers are the ones who are keenest on having the services of the best jockeys for their particular stable. From which it may be seen that trainers, as the saying is, ‘ know a thing or two.’ They don’t give themselves away. There is not the slightest doubt that jockeyship invariably tells. It probably tells more in a long race than a short one, but tell it always does.

“ A race does not consist in just getting away well at the start, and riding a strong finish. Those two things are,, of course, essential, but the most critical part of a race is half-way through it There are so many little things that one can do to help one’s horse ; you have to judge the best time to give him a breather; you have to see —and this is a point which is not generally known —when you may safely rest him by changing the gallop from one leg to the other. Much, naturally, depends on the horse’s disposition. Many people think that all horses are filled with the excitement of racing, and run for the pure pleasure and sport of getting in first. This may apply to old horses that have won several races, but, generally speaking, a young horse is ready to do anything on the course except go right to the front, and you have absolutely to force it. The reason of this may be that in exercise the youngsters are usually led by other horses, and get so into the habit of following that they cannot forget it when actually racing. With some horses, however, in the middle of a race, it pays to drop at another horse’s heels for a while, and come out at the finish to win. “ But the skill required to win a race is not all expended in the middle of the run. The finish, which is the most dramatic part to watch, is not means as simple as it looks. There are a hundred and one things to think df besides mere speed. You must, for instance, be careful not to pick up your whip on the same side as the leg. on which your horse is galloping —a thing that is not so wonderfully easy to attend to when another horse is there. You must be careful, too, not to touch another horse. A tired horse may, without intention on the jockey’s part, hit another ever so slightly, and thereby put him out of his stride, which is enough to turn the issue of a race.”

Have we any horsemen riding in this province who would take the trouble to attend to these little details even if he knew of them ? There are some there is no doubt, but unfortunately they are all too few, and the average rider does not worry over-much about using his brains in a race. Who can go out to Ellerslie, for instance, and watch a race for which a strong field of horses is being started without coming to the conclusion that pretty well half the riders are badly in need of a little tuition in the art of race riding ? These jockeys show but the most elementary judgment of pace, and when it comes to a finish it is a case of calling “ all legs and arms ” into action for the last furlong. No doubt they consider that this method really assists a tired horse, but as a fact nothing stops a horse who is beginning to falter in his stride more effectually than this monkey-pn-the-stick performance. Fortunately there are a few very capable horsemen riding, and the younger school of jockeys would do well j to closely scrutinise their Something also in the way of ment might be effected if several of whom have their younger days, to the subject, and centaurs as to ridden. That for such >• * said, and looking for at presexfl lutely thn:>!| credence, fl