Mr. J. M. Richardson's Writings Collated 



over fences they can't take liberties with, and when I say 

 plenty, I would suggest that most of the work should be done 

 over obstacles which should be strong without being too high, 

 so that the muscles will not tire, and the horse stays home. 

 The present idea, however, is rather in the opposite direction, 

 long gallops on the flat and only occasionally jumping exercise, 

 if the animals are already good fencers and thoroughly know 

 their business, being deemed quite sufficient without risking 

 them so often over obstacles. Disturbance, Defence, Reugny, 

 Rhysworth, and Burglar knew absolutely nothing when I first 

 took them in hand at Limber Magna, so I think my method 

 may fairly be said to have come out of the ordeal with credit to 

 itself and all concerned. 



Preparing Jumpers. 



Another item in connection with the preparation of an 

 aspirant for Liverpool honours to which I attach no little 

 importance is to have three different gallops, as horses, who, 

 after all said and done, are very like human beings in their 

 likes and dislikes, are apt to get tired of always doing their 

 work on the same ground day after day. Whether there has 

 been any improvement in our steeplechase horses during the 

 last thirty years is a question which I find somewhat difficult 

 to answer. I suppose Cackler is about as good a specimen of 

 his class as could be found at the present time, but can he 

 show more quality or substance than such as The Colonel, 

 Congress, Heraut d'Armes, Rhysworth, Columbine, Cortolvin, 

 Snowstorm, Reugny, or Come Away — and in more recent years 

 Manifesto — who a great many good judges, including his 

 trainer, Mr. Willy Moore, declare to be the best-looking horse 

 that ever made one of a Grand National field — and the unlucky 



271 



