Over the Fences at Fairyhouse 



JUST throw your leg on this horse I have brought for 

 you and we'll ride round the course together. We'll 

 have a modest half-crown on the outcome, just to add 

 spice to the affair. The rules about bumping and 

 boring need not apply, as we'll have the whole course 

 to ourselves. I suggest we introduce a new rule : if 

 you fall I'll turn back and help you and if I fall well, 

 you can gather up my scattered remains and have them 

 interred decently. Here we are now at the starting 

 post. Make sure your girths are tight and your leathers 

 a comfortable length. You may throw away that 

 cigarette. We'll be sorry we ever learned to smoke 

 before we're half-way round. 



Are you ready ? That grey of yours seems crazy to 

 get going. He knows his job, so you needn't worry. 

 This mare's a hot-tempered handful, but she'll cool 

 down when she gets going. Are you ready ? Right-o ! 

 Off we pop ! 



Don't rush this first fence too hard. Horses are 

 often careless until they settle down a little. It's a 

 bush-fence, but there's a ditch that's only too anxious 

 to punish heedless footwork. Nice work ! Still a little 

 too hot, but nice work. Next fence is the same . . . 

 In fact, the next three fences are almost the same. But 



no 



