" GENTLEMEN-RIDERS " 87 



as a trainer were cautiously made with unpromising 

 material. Recently he wore Lord Rossmore's 

 colours. Not very long before his death he did 

 the "hat trick" by winning three consecutive 

 races. On Up Guards he was seen to advantage. 

 In fact, Mr. Herbert Sidney's was a name that 

 should have been associated with a better class of 

 chaser than he was in the habit of riding until 

 towards the close of his career. He was 

 thoroughly worthy of first-rate mounts long before 

 he rode them. 



Students of racing form and criticisers of jump- 

 riding are rather too apt to regard a good 

 gentleman-rider as a person who wins races. 

 Certainly to be a fine horseman and never to win 

 a race would be an exasperating sort of jockey 

 who would not excite envy. Yet we must re- 

 member that " practice," and catering for mounts, 

 •' makes perfect." Beginners are prone to get 

 daunted or embittered unless they possess a Job- 

 like patience or have sufficient money to keep on 

 riding mounts that possess very little chance. 

 Therefore we are disposed to lay special stress 

 upon those who are coming into prominence. 



A few years ago one of our leading comic 

 papers announced that "The gentlemen-jocks have 

 had a splendid season, and some of their horses 

 won in spite of their riders." This was cut out 

 and sent round to some of the best cross-country 

 amateurs, and, as may be imagined, was greatly 

 appreciated. Perhaps the spice of truth which 

 it contained provoked amusement. We have 

 undoubtedly seen many terrible exhibitions in 



