Gentlemen Riders 



Another was at Kilkenny in May of the same year. The 

 weather was hot and dry, and directly after the start of a three- 

 mile steeplechase some jokers took the opportunity of setting 

 fire to the open ditch fence on the far side of the course. By 

 the time the horses reached it, it was blazing merrily, but three 

 or four of them had the pluck to jump it, and it was nearly 

 burnt out when they got there the second time, so the race was 

 run all right. 



Some trainers and owners, especially those who have only 

 an odd horse or two, are often very funny with their orders and 

 advice to their jockeys, the following final instructions given 

 by an excited stud groom to Major Onslow just after he had 

 mounted his master's mare for a Hunt Cup race, being a fair 

 example. " Take a dangerous tight hoult of her head. Captain, 

 and knock Hell's blazes out of the fences." The mare, how- 

 ever, proved a charming ride and won easily, without her 

 jockey having to resort to the heroic measures advocated by 

 her owner's master of the horse. 



*' I have always found," remarks Major Onslow, *' that the 

 owners and trainers who know most about the game, are those 

 who give their jockeys the freest hand, and, for sure, if you want 

 to lose a race the best way is to tie your jockey down with all 

 sorts of orders. I am all for starting a race with a plan of 

 campaign, but the * unexpected * so often happens — especially 

 in a steeplechase — that a jockey must be always prepared to 

 change his tactics, if the events of the race seem to require 

 him to do so." 



408 



