MILITARY STEEPLECHASING 259 



spectators at the brook, and the latter fences, being, it 

 was understood, the principal reason for removing it to 

 such a distance. The weather was most unpropitious. 

 The weighing for the first race took place at the kennels 

 at Brixworth at twelve o'clock. 



The startinof field was on a considerable eminence 

 opposite to Brixworth ; the fences were about twenty in 

 number, the Brixworth Brook was 13 ft. or 14 ft. wide, 

 and the line was three miles in extent, in the form of 

 an extended oval. 



The number of horsemen which hung upon the 

 sides and rear of the competitors as they were 

 running in nearly all the fields adjoining the starting- 

 post, was a serious drawback to the enjoyment of 

 those who looked on, and a great annoyance to the 

 riders. 



The chief race of the day was a sweepstakes of 

 10 sovs. each, h. ft., for horses the property of, and 

 to be ridden by, officers on full pay of the army — 

 12 St. 7 lbs. each; the second saved his stake and 

 received a bonus ; the winner had to give six dozen 

 of champagne to the dinner on the day of the race. 

 Three miles ; 53 subs. 



Mr. Barnett's (2nd D.) "Boxkeeper " . . Capt. Coles i 

 Capt. Powell's (G. G.) "Regalia" . . . . Owner. . 2 

 Sir G. Hampson's (2nd D.) " I'll-See-You- 



Through-It" „ . . 3 



Seventeen others started. 



When it is considered that twenty horses were spread 

 over two or three miles of country, pursuing different 

 lines, and almost all meeting with some mishap or other, 

 no very clear account can be given. All started well, 

 but Boxkeeper refused the first fence, Don't-Abuse-Me 

 fell at it, went away and was not caught till his bridle 

 became entangled on the leg of another horse, and then 



