90 Lovers of the Horse 



HAMILTON RIDING AND DRIVING CLUB 



Al/rH()U(iH the City of Hamilton has not a Hunt ( lul). the lovers of the horse 

 are looked after in this way by the Riding and Driving Club, which fills its 

 l)lace in an able way. This organization has only been short-lived, but it is 

 recQO'nized bv all of the older bodies of this kind throughout Canada, and its nieni- 

 hers are well known to the hunting public, they taking part annually in the jwint to 

 point events of the numerous Hunt and Country Clubs in the Provinces of Ontario 

 and Quebec. 



The Hamilton Riding and Driving Club is noted for its clever horsemen and nervy 

 riders, while the members always make a creditable showing with their horses. This 

 Club has l)een well represented at the many horse shows in the j)ast six years, and 

 lias had its share of honors in the show ring. The Club's membership grew faster 

 than. perha])s. manv of the otluM's, owing to the encouragement given to the members 

 by the late William Hendrie and his son William Hendrie. junior, while to Mr. Alfred 

 Rogers, now of Toronto, is due the existence of the Association. It was through him 

 that the Club was first formed, and during his term of office as President, which lasted 

 some three years, it was ])ut on a solid foundation. 



It was through the Hamilton Hiding and Driving Club that many of Hamilton's 

 voung men and women came into prominence in the horse world, for as they became 

 members thev took u|) the sport in a more enthusiastic manner, which meant the 

 development of clever riders and drivers. 



The Club has never owned a ])ack of hounds, so that the outing days are spent 

 in paper chases, which affords just as much excitement and often gives faster runs 

 than when the hounds are used. At each meet of the Club, two or three of the younger 

 men are selected and sent ahead, being given a few minutes' start, making a trail with 

 the paper which is prepared for this purpose. 'I'lie others start out after them and 

 the chase is not over until they are caught. This often makes the runs longer and 

 much more excitintr than drai"- huntinu' with the hounds, as the canines are sometimes 

 known U) lose the scent. 'I"he surrounding country and on the top of the mountain 

 is a splendid one for the s|)ort. the farms being post and rail fenced, with little or no 

 l)arl)ed wire to contend with. This makes it better not only for the riders, but for the 

 horses. 'I'lie farnu-rs are most generous to the members of the Club, and pertnif their 

 riding over the farms at all times, and seem to enjoy the sport as much as the horse- 

 men, giving every assistance to the men who lay the tiail. Kadi year the members 

 entertain the farmers in .some way as a mark of appreciation for their kindness. In 

 the early days of the Club dinners were tendered them, while latterly the amusement 

 has been in the way of a gymkhana, which enables the farmers and their sons to 

 take part. 



It was during the summer of !!)()() that Mr. .Mfrcd Rogers, tlicn I'rcsident of the 

 Rogers Coal Co. of Hamilton, suggested that a riding clui) be fonncd. He |)ersuaded 

 a nund)cr of Hamilton's young nieiidjcrs that the idea was a good one. and the first 



