276 STEEPLE-CHASING. 



it is not till 1803 that what is spoken of as 'the first regular 

 steeple-chase ' was got up, still in Ireland. The festivity of a 

 hunt dinner inspirited the matchmakers, who agreed to ride 

 for a sweepstakes neither place, course, nor figures are given. 

 The ' added money ' was a hogshead of claret, a pipe of port, 

 and a quarter-cask of rum. 



A steeple-chase is mentioned by 'The Druid' as having 

 been run in Leicestershire about 1792. The distance was 

 eight miles, from Barkby Holt to the Coplow and back. Mr. 

 Charles Meynell, son of the M. F. H., won, with Lord Forester 

 second, and Sir Gilbert Heathcote third. * There is very little 

 real tradition respecting it,' the writer quoted says, ' except that 

 Sir Gilbert's horse was rather fat, that Lord Forester was 

 favourite, and that Mr. Needham of Hungerton said to his 

 lordship, " I'll save you a hundred yards, if you'll come through 

 my garden and jump the gate into the road " ! a remark which 

 tells something as to the pace and style in which chases were 

 run. Such races, however, had a value of their own, as proving 

 excellence on the part of the animal, and testing the horseman- 

 ship of the rider. 



In 1805 a number of 'The Sporting Magazine' contained 

 an account of ' An Extraordinary Steeple-chase,' and from the 

 wording of the record it seems as if the sport were quite novel. 

 The account says : 



On the last Wednesday in November came on for decision a 

 match, which had created much interest in the sporting world, and 

 which amongst that community is denominated a steeple-chase 

 the parties undertaking to surmount all obstructions, and to pursue 

 in their progress as straight a line as possible. This contest lay 

 between Mr. Bullivant of Shroxton, Mr. Day of Wymondham, and 

 Mr. Frisby of Waltham, and was for a sweepstakes of one hundred 

 guineas staked by each. They started from Womack's Lodge at 

 half-past twelve (the riders attired in handsome jockey dresses of 

 orange, crimson, and sky-blue, respectively worn by the gentlemen 

 in the order we have named above), to run round Woodal-Head 

 and back again, a distance somewhat exceeding eight miles. They 

 continued nearly together, until they came within a mile and a half 



