" SPITFIRE 57 



points until some began to think about leaving off. " Truly the old order 

 changeth, giving place to new." 



Riding in the second race, in which thirteen started, one or two things 

 struck one which I should like to jot down. The first observation applies 

 equally to both races, viz., the nondescript attire of the competitors. How 

 is it men are allowed to compete in red-coat races in mufti costume, billy- 

 cock hats, red or yellow silk caps, brown gaiters, or anything ? It is to be 

 hoped that the executive will make a note for future occasions, and insist 

 that pink coats must be worn. If you want a light one, a red serge, which 

 looks orthodox, only weighs a half-pound. Then may I suggest that it seems 

 very unfair to allow the same man to ride in the Heavy, Light, and 

 Farmers' race. To start with, a point-to-point in which you are not 



" Spitfire " 



supposed to know a yard of the country beforehand is robbed of all its 

 charm when this is allowed, and a man who has been over the course in a 

 previous race has an obvious advantage over those who have not. Lastly, 

 may I submit that if the races cannot be run together, it would be far 

 better to have the light-weight first. It stands to reason they will not 

 make so many holes in the fences. It was the holes in the fences and the 

 tracks of the heavy brigade that caused the light-weights to run so much 

 together. They started off at a great pace, much too fast to last, Mr. 

 Caldwell making the running with Mr. Arkwright close at hand. Mr. 

 Caldwell's horse refused at the third or fourth fence, tlie same where 

 " Spitfire" whipped round. Mr. Arkwright shot to the front and led round 

 the flag, being passed by Major Carter as he came round it. What order 

 they ran in afterwards I am unable to say, for with injunctions not to 

 ride my mount out if there was no chance of winning, and having been 

 badly thrown out by three men coming down in front of me at the brook, I 

 merely cantered round over the course, and a very pretty one it was, 

 certainly about the stiffest I have ever ridden over in a point-to-point. 



