CHAPTER VIII 



"GENTLEMEN-RIDERS" 



Probably few will deny that, putting Arthur 

 Nightingall and Mason out of the question, the 

 services of Mr. Gwynne Saunders-Davies were 

 as valuable as any professional. It is a pity that 

 he has given up riding steeplechases. He never 

 smoked, kept his nerve, remained in most excel- 

 lent condition and gained a wide experience. He 

 knew nearly every course in England and Wales. 

 At the same time he was latterly in a position 

 to " pick his mounts." What a lot of meaning 

 is contained in these last few words ! Over and 

 over again have we seen instances of men riding 

 race after race on inferior " chasers," whilst all 

 the credit was bestowed upon some favoured 

 jockey who certainly was invincible, for the very 

 excellent reason that he had the " pick of the 

 mounts," 



When Major "Roddy Owen," Captain Bewicke, 

 and Mr. J. C. Dormer were in the zenith of their 

 fame, they monopolised the best jump-horses. 

 Consequently, it was no easy task for less favoured 

 individuals to gain notoriety at fashionable meet- 

 ings. Fortunately, however, " everything comes 

 to him who waits." But each of those just men- 

 tioned were first-rate and as good as professionals : 



better than some. 



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