CHAPTEE VIII. 



STEEPLECHASE COURSES. 



IN order to fairly test the jumping as well as the 

 galloping capabilities of horses, the fences ought not, 

 on an average, to be further apart from each other than 

 400 yards. As remarked by that brilliant horseman, 

 Mr. Bertie Short, the first third of the course should 

 consist of broad, low, and somewhat easy obstacles, 

 which would not be liable to bring disaster on the 

 competitors before they had settled down to their work. 

 The fences in the middle third should be such as to 

 thoroughly test the jumping powers of the animals, so 

 that the gallopers may not have it all their own way ; 

 and those in the final third should become gradually 

 more and more easy towards the finish, so that they 

 may not be likely to bring down a tired horse which 

 may happen to chance them a little. I may remark 

 that such an arrangement can seldom be carried out in 

 its entirety ; although we may preserve its general 

 character on a more or less circular line of country. 

 Thus, supposing the course is two miles round, we 

 may, to get three miles, make one half easy ; the other, 

 stiff; the first and final miles being over the same 

 ground. The fences should be as long as possible, especi- 

 ally the first and second ; as very dangerous accidents 

 are liable to occur, if the horses have not plenty of 

 room when they are excited. After they have once 



