'HANDS' AND OTHER MATTERS 151 



doing something wrong and of breaking many of 

 the unwritten laws of hunting. Jumping unknown 

 fences, too, comes strange to a man who has never 

 been able to ride except over made fences; but 

 surely that is to be expected. It would only require 

 experience in hunting to overcome this. Experi- 

 ence in riding they already possess. The knowledge 

 they possess of horsemanship is far ahead of the 

 man who has never ridden except to hounds, and 

 other things being equal, there is no doubt, in my 

 mind, which of the two is the better man. 



It is the same with a horse who has never jumped 

 except in the show-ring. He may bungle his 

 fences a little at first, but directly he has accustomed 

 himself to the new conditions, he must be able to 

 cross a country more brilliantly than an ordinary 

 hunter who has not had the same training. 



The Marking in the Show-Ring 



The best method hitherto adopted is one which 

 has been copied from the French, namely : — 



Half a fault for a slight touch. 



Two faults for a knock down with the hind feet. 



Four faults for a knock down with the fore feet. 



But I wish to take the opportunity of suggesting 

 that the principle, sound enough in itself, should be 

 somewhat further developed, and I submit that the 

 following system would be more comprehensive : — 



Half fault for a slight touch with the hind feet. 



One fault for a slight touch with the fore feet. 



Two faults for a knock down with the hind feet. 



Four faults for a knock down with the fore feet. 



