142 Lovers of the Horse 



AMATEUR ROAD DRIVERS' ASSOCIATION, OF LONDON, ONT. 



SINCE its inoe])tioii. the Amateur Road Drivers* Association, of London. Out., 

 has heeonie one of the most suceessful matinee ohihs in America. It lias a 

 historv of uninterru])tr(l |)roo;ress. reaching back over a ])eriod of several years, 

 with cvcrv pniniise of a prosperous future. In many features this Association con- 

 ducts its events alouii' uni(|ue and novel lines: and throuyh fair and s))ortsmanlike 

 dealings, and the elimination of certain objectionable features, wliich too frenuently mar 

 the success of such organization.s, has won an enviable reputation for gentlemanly sport. 

 In this |)articnlar this Association is probably several strides ahead of any in Ontario. 



With tin- coming of the Wednesday afternoon half-holiday custom to London, 

 came the opportunitv for London's race-horse lovers and owners to enjoy a little of 

 their favorite s|)ort. The track at (Queen's Park was available and wouhl answer the 

 |)ur|)()se admiral)lv. There were j)lenty of horses and any nund)er of drivers ready to 

 enter conipctilion. Uiit there was still something lacking. The racing events must be 

 conducted in an orderlv and .systematic manner if they were to lie a success, and with 

 this purpose in view the London Amateur Road Drivers' .Association was formed. Mr. 

 (ieoro-e McCormick was the fir.st president; Dr. Fred. \\()()(1 the first secretary, and 

 Mr. W. E. Robinson the first treasurer. All three oHicers have remained in office 

 almost contimiously ever since, and along with Mr. J. (". Tn-bilcock. who has acted as 

 official starting judge, all have given splendid satisfaction. 



Before the ince))tion of this association, other organizations of a similar nature or 

 with a similai- •■iid in view were formed. Xoiie of these, however, was long lived, and 

 owin<' to disaifreement regarding eei'tain uiethods of conducting the races, each in turn 

 prove(l a failure. 



liookmaking and the >ellini; of pools were allo\\('(l l)y these associations, and it was 

 contended bv some of the meniix'rs that such practices were far from beneficial, ami 

 onlv encoura<>'ed the patronage of undesirable persons. Other horse owners, who would 

 otherwise have been glad to share in the sjiort, ke])t aloof on account of such |)ractices. 



When fornuilating the i)lans for the present Association it was agreed that it would 

 be l»est to, as far as possii)le. eliminate all (|uestional)le features from the race meets. 

 \((oiilinL:l\ IIk' selling of pools and bookmaking are forliiddeu in connection with 

 anv race conducted t)y the .\ssociation. 



Another clause in the constitution provides that no admission fee shall be iharged 

 the pul)lic and that all grand stand seats shall be free. Large crowds patroni/e the.se 

 races, and the sport is found to be an inexpensive and healthful diversion by the toilers 

 in factorv, warehou.se and office. Young and old attend the events which are conducted 

 everv Wedm-sdav afternoon while the weather ])erniits. (icnerally the season opens in 

 June and closes in Oetobt-r. 



None but amateurs are allowed to com|)ete. and thus sport |)nrely for sport's sake 

 is a.ssurefl. No |)ri/,es or purses are offered with the exception of the elia nipionship 



