604 SHOW RING DRIVING. 



favorably, try and be quick enough to lead off, and turn the 

 way your horse shows best, as each has some preference in 

 this connection. By getting in front, the pace may be 

 regulated to suit your charge and to annoy some other. 

 If his best display calls for pace, go along with him until the 

 judges interfere; if he is better at a slow gait, hold him to 

 what he can do, square and true. Be doubly careful now to 

 go into all the corners and close to the fence, for, even if 

 you are out-speeded, the critics always allow for the fact 

 that you are going the longest way round, and they can't 

 tell just what handicap that amounts to, whereas, should the 

 tracks of competitors be followed, and ground still be lost, 

 any one can see just how much you are "shy" on pace. 

 Should a dangerous rival essay to pass you on a turn, take 

 your horse back, quick, and smooth, just as he is overtaken ; 

 he would get the worst of it, anyway, and that instant's 

 relief may yet pull him through. 



Condemnation escaped, and a third parade ordered, it is 

 "do or die." " Go after" your horse fof all he has, and 

 whatever you both can do, show it now. Get behind the 

 most dangerous contestant if you can, and stay there, never 

 passing him except just at the very last (if your pace is as 

 good, or better, than his). You can thus see and avail 

 your charge of any " easy " your rival attempts. Keep a 

 little inside him, for now it will be well to cut corners. 

 Should you suffer from comparison, get as far away as 

 possible from dangerous opponents, and make as good a 

 show as you can manage. It will be difficult to keep away 

 if any one fears you, but you should try, anyhow. 



