LOCAL MEETINGS. ' 351 



committee of the stewards divide the animals into three classes. 

 If a horse is known to be, or suspected of being, really good, 

 he is put into the first class, which either competes by itself 

 or carries a handsome addition in weight ; if the entry be 

 known as a genuine hunter with no approach to form, it goes 

 into the third class, and animals inferior to the first and 

 superior to the third form the second class. By the rules of 

 the meeting the stewards invest themselves with necessary 

 powers, so that they can do as they thmk fit in the matter ; 

 but here the game of hoodwinking the stewards is open to those 

 who are inclined to play it — and, as already observed, it is 

 wonderful to note the industry and perseverance with which 

 some men will strive to win a race by illegitimate means. 



It is somewhat melancholy to be forced to these admissions, 

 but nothing good can be gained by shirking the truth. Perhaps 

 men who juggle with the w^ord ' hunter ' draw a distinction 

 between sharp practice and dishonesty ; but it is certain that by 

 reason of the constant objections — many of which are too well 

 supported — the endless wranglings, and a general feeling that 

 the man w^ho has a moderately good hunter is sure to be 

 beaten by something that is running under false pretences, 

 local meetings are, as a rule, little esteemed and very feebly 

 supported. On the stewards everything depends, and it is not 

 always easy to find men of position and experience who are 

 ready to take the necessary trouble and devote their time to 

 the organisation of a local meeting, which so often means not 

 only loss of time but loss of temper. 



A few point-to-point steeple-chases,Hhe nearest approach to 

 the original sport, are occasionally run, and concerning these 

 races, a true relic of the good old-fashioned steeple-chase, a 

 few words should be said. Such contests often take place in 

 different hunts, and by way of giving an idea of the conditions 

 common to many the following programme of the Blackmoor 

 Vale meeting may be quoted : 



1 The number of point to point races annually run has increased to a very 

 remarkable extent. 



