324 



STEEPLE-CHASING, 



CHAPTER V, 



RIDING THE RACK. 





\\r^ 





-/■^i^- 



Badly beaten. 



HE circumstances of different races vary so 

 much that it would be altogether impossible 

 to lay down fixed directions for riding a steeple-chase. Acci- 

 dents are often averted, however, and successes achieved by 

 the observance of rules which the inexperienced horseman is 

 apt to overlook, and the more practised rider to neglect. 



In the first place, the man who is about to ride must be fit 

 and in good condition as well as the horse. It is sometimes 

 difficult after a race to say whether the horse or the rider is 

 most beaten, and this should never be. The exertion of hold- 



