THE DEVELOPMENT OF STEEPLECHASING 171 



should be added that the National Hunt Committee 

 came into existence in 1866, and not before it was 

 very badly wanted. Cross-country meetings had pre- 

 viously been, it is said, the " recognised refuge of all 

 outcasts, human or equine, from the legitimate Turf" 

 There were Stewards, of course, but they had no 

 power or authority ; the most they could do was to 

 suspend a rider for the rest of the meeting — if his 

 offence were committed in the last race they could do 

 nothing. The Jockey Club gave no countenance to 

 " illegitimate " sport, and the whole business had be- 

 come a scandal when the Grand National Hunt Com- 

 mittee was formed, to make rules — previously Clerks 

 of Courses had done what they pleased — and to super- 

 vise proceedings. Lord Suffolk and Mr. W. G. 

 Craven had much to do with inducing the Jockey 

 Club to recognise the Grand National Hunt Com- 

 mittee, as it was at first called. The Duke of 

 Beaufort and Lord Coventry soon gave their support, 

 after a time the late George Payne and other in- 

 fluential members of the Jockey Club, who had at 

 first opposed the delegation of authority to a new 

 body, were won over ; and the two institutions now 

 work hand in hand, as is natural, seeing that not a 

 few gentlemen are members of both. 



