Echoes of the Hunting Horn 



he slithers into the realization that there is a gate at 

 his nose. With a terrific recovery he bucks clear of 

 the four-feet-six of swinging timber, goaded, no doubt, 

 by the memory of recent indignation to his hind pasterns. 



His care -free strides confirm one's suspicions that he 

 intends taking the big Double Bank with his old debonair 

 recklessness. He does not seem to grasp why his onrush 

 is being checked. It never dawns upon him that his 

 technique needs polishing. He suddenly finds himself 

 travelling more collectedly, his strides are more 

 balanced, and as he approaches the Double he has 

 some confident intuition that he is bound to take-off 

 at the right place, neither too far back nor too near the 

 obstacle. The sprinkling of dry lime in the ditch, 

 added since yesterday in lieu of water, is a reminder 

 that fore-leg carelessness is not recommended. Hup ! 

 He lands on top, changes feet with muscular rhythm, 

 braces powerful quarters, swoops over the second ditch 

 and lands as gracefully as a panther. If he can be 

 taught to maintain such style he should do well at 

 Ballsbridge, for the double bank can cause competitors 

 to collect a surprising amount of faults. 



He is settling nicely to his work now and going sensibly 

 for the big Stone Wall. One would think he was born 

 in Galway, he shows so much respect for the obstacle 

 that typifies that county, but his respect for it was 

 acquired three weeks ago- when it took all the hot water 

 in the house to reduce a big knee. No, he was not 

 bred in Galway; and yet it would do your heart good 

 to ride him over that big wall ! 



Now he is welcome to all the head-freedom he 



142 



