8 8 " GENTLEMEN-RIDERS " 



our time, notably at Sandown some years since, 

 when eight horses started in a military race, the 

 riders in seven instances positively tumbling off 

 because their mounts jumped " too big," yet they 

 did not swerve. 



In military races there is still much to be 

 desired. The only excuse seems to be that in 

 those cases where cavalry officers cannot ride over 

 made jumps, perhaps their habit of riding with 

 long stirrups is indirectly the cause. Candidly, 

 we do not like to think that our army gentlemen- 

 jocks as a whole are insecure in their saddles 

 when they disport themselves in "colours." 

 German officers latterly have greatly improved. 



As a rule gentlemen with money will not take 

 the same amount of pains to keep in the condition 

 which a pro. is compelled to do, and amateurs 

 on the flat rarely attain to perfection. The late 

 Mr. Abington (the nom-de-pluine of the late 

 Mr. Baird), after repeated failures, and unabashed 

 by ridicule in the press and amongst the crowd, 

 became a really good rider of a large stud which 

 he owned. 



At the present time Mr, Thursby and several 

 others are extremely good. Still, the gentleman 

 flat-race rider who is first-class remains an ex- 

 ception to the general rule, whereas many 

 gentlemen-riders already mentioned, and plenty 

 of others besides, are over country as good as 

 most professionals. Mason and a few others ex- 

 cepted — the steerer of 1905 Grand National 

 winner is as grood as Arthur Niorhtinsfall or his 

 predecessor, Mr. Arthur Yates, who still con- 



