44 STEEPLECHASING 



reached London in time for the Opera with an un- 

 blemished face. 



Jem Mason's connection with Lottery/ who belonged 

 to Elmore, led to his severance from Tilbury and to his 

 marriage with Elmore's daughter, and for Elmore he 

 constantly rode. 



Not a few steeplechasers were made by Jem Mason, 

 Wing, already mentioned, was one and Gaylad was 

 another, and it was on the latter that he once had a 

 terrible ride. When about half way over a four-mile 

 course, his small foot and thin leg slipped through the 

 stirrup-iron, which was soon half way up his leg, and 

 in this most uncomfortable and dangerous predica- 

 ment he finished the race and rode home a winner. 

 On returning to weigh, it was with some difficulty that 

 he was released from the saddle. 



On Gaylad, Jem once rode a very extraordinary match 

 against William McDonough on Croxby, the race being 

 run over four miles of the Harrow country. The 

 accounts throw some light on the style of steeplechase 

 riding in those days, as no fewer than four times in the 

 four miles were the horses reduced to a walk, and when 

 they came to the last fence neither of them could have 

 jumped a stick. The friends of both began pulling the 

 fence down for them, and then Jack Darby, getting 

 behind Gaylad, forced him bodily through the fence, and 

 Jem just managed to keep him on his legs and walk him 

 past the post ! 



No man ever rode fairer in a race than did Jem 

 Mason, and seldom, if ever, did any rival lodge an 

 objection against him for crossing. There was also 

 another good trait in his character — he was always ready 

 to help a friend, and when the erratic Tom Olliver had 

 nothing left in the world but Trust- Me-Not, he asked 

 Jem Mason to buy him in order that he might have a 



' See p. 60. 



