HORSE RACING IN MONGOLIA 291 



country an ounce or two of silver — worth at 

 most from two shillings to half-a-crown — was 

 in some instances the only prize offered, though 

 plenty of the races were run over a ten-mile 

 course ! 



According to Mr Campbell, the Derby of 

 Mongolia is held near Urga, under the direct 

 patronage of the Bogdo. The course is thirty 

 miles in length, and much of it rough steppe, and 

 " the winners are presented to the Bogdo, who 

 maintains them for the rest of their lives in 

 honourable idleness." 



The jockeys are the smallest boys able to ride 

 the distance. u A saddle or seat aid in any form 

 is not allowed. The jockeys simply roll up their 

 loose cotton trousers as high as they can, clutch 

 the pony's ribs with their bare legs, and all carry 

 long whips. The bridles — single snaffles with 

 rawhide reins— have each a round disc of bur- 

 nished silver attached to the headband.' 1 



What will happen in the future when the horse 

 shall have become practically extinct in the civi- 

 lised countries ? The question is exercising the 

 minds of many as these lines are being written. 

 There are some who cling still to the belief that 

 the horse's day is not over, indeed that it never 

 will be over, but unfortunately they are vision- 



