'HANDS' AND OTHER MATTERS 149 



(4) A post and rails, 4 feet 6 inches. 



(5) A rail on a bank, the whole 4 feet 6 inches. 



(6) A bank. This was a really big one, 8 feet 

 high, and very much more formidable than the big 

 bank in Dublin. In this case it was a kind of 

 double bank, suggesting an aqueduct. 



(7) A " piano " jump. This consisted of a small 

 ditch full of water, then a low bank with a flat 

 top, at the end of which was a low post and rails, 

 over which one dropped on to the level again. 



A comparatively easy obstacle, but on account 

 of its unusual nature is a very good test of the 

 obedience of the horse and his confidence in his 

 rider. 



(8) Double gates. The gates were 4 feet 3 inches 

 in height, and 4 feet apart. 



This was, I think, the biggest jump on the course, 

 and one which required the most skill to negotiate. 



(9) An open ditch — steeplechase pattern. 

 . (10) Water. 



(11) A sunken road. Here the ground had been 

 scooped out about 3 feet deep, and the " road " 

 was boimded by an ordinary brush fence on the 

 take-off side, about 3 feet in height. On the far side 

 was a rail, 2 feet high, which meant that a horse 

 after having landed over a drop fence, would have 

 to collect himself in one stride, and clear a rail of 

 5 feet from his take off. 



This was a splendid test of both training and 

 horsemanship, and could not have been accom- 

 plished by any rider who had landed over the 

 drop fence with his body back. 



(12) A footpath. In this case the rails which 



