FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



your last chance, for ribbons may come any time 

 now. If you can manage to lead off you are 

 lucky, as you can turn the way about the arena 

 which your horse prefers, and in the direction he 

 shows best, for all horses have preferences this 

 way. By being in front you may also regulate 

 the pace, for a few turns at least, to that which 

 fits your charge's ability, displaying fast pace, if 

 allowed, to the detriment of others, or retarding 

 it if yours is a flash mover at the slower rate (and 

 others may be inconvenienced thereby). You 

 should still go well into the corners, and be sure 

 the judges will appreciate your reasons, and 

 award you due consideration for your care. If 

 you are deficient in pace, this manoeuvre will 

 puzzle them as to just how much your horse 

 lacks in this respect, inasmuch as you are going 

 a longer way round than any one, and would 

 naturally lose ground. 



If you can detect the dangerous horse, and do 

 not fear, or would challenge, comparison, get be- 

 hind him if possible, where you can observe, and 

 copy all his tactics, if imitation seems best ; if not, 

 you may offer the proper contrast, and beat him 

 then and there. Above all things do not try to 

 pass any horse on the turns, and be careful of the 



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