PAPERCHASING IN INDIA. 383 



in which to plant their burden, where they know the 

 coloured slips will take some finding. The hares ride 

 over the fences, and by distributing their landmarks 

 sparsely and in places where their pursuers can follow 

 only in single file, they often make it difficult for the 

 leading division to keep the line. Those who over-run 

 the paper, of course imperil their chance of being 

 among the first six, which is the number of " placed 

 horses " in these paperchase records. A writer in 

 Ladies in the Field, while discussing this form of sport, 

 says : " Any old screw, country-bred pony or short- 

 shouldered Arab may be brought out on these occa- 

 sions." That author evidently had no experience of 

 Calcutta paperchasing, because a horse for this work 

 must not only be a fast galloper and clever jumper, but 

 also must have a good mouth and temper, and be fit 

 and well. In fact, the ideal paperchaser is a cross 

 between a steeplechaser and a hunter, for he has to 

 possess the speed and quick jumping qualities of the 

 former, and the amiability and brains of the latter. 

 Unless a lady has such a mount, it will be almost 

 impossible for her to secure a coveted place among the 

 first half dozen. Also, there are so many horses, say, 

 forty or more, all galloping at the same fences, which 

 are not broad enough for a quarter of that number to 

 take abreast. Consequently, those behind have to see 

 that the coast is clear, before they can proceed. Falls 

 frequently occur, but serious accidents are happily rare. 

 It is true that two men have been killed in these 

 chases ; but although ladies have taken part in them 



