The Blaekmoor Vale. 387 



jumping hounds are running, and running as they can 

 in the Yale. 



A welter-weight rides at comparatively little dis- 

 advantage in the Blaekmoor Vale — always supposing 

 he is mounted according to his weight and the require- 

 ments of the country. As a matter of fact^ his 

 weight will often give him a pull, enabling him to 

 force his way where a lighter man and horse would be 

 entirely checked. For the hazel and thorn are fre- 

 quently matted and stiff, to a degree that calls for no 

 common momentum to make a passage through. 

 There are very few fences to be met with in the 

 Blaekmoor Vale that are not to be pierced and sur- 

 mounted at some spot in their length ; but it takes a 

 good eye, much experience, and a horse fitted for the 

 country, to mark and take advantage of these assail- 

 able points as quickly as hounds demand. Timber is 

 freely found — and freely avoided ; for the approach to 

 it is too often spoiled and poached by the cattle, who 

 work the ground into a quagmire wherever they can 

 thrust their heads through post-and-rails. 



The Sparkford vale is undoubtedly the choicest 

 ground of the Blaekmoor Vale country. It is firmest 

 riding of all ; carries as good a scent as any part ; 

 its banks are low, with a ditch on a single side, and 

 every obstacle is to be taken in the stride. You may 

 sail along as quickly as over the easiest part of 

 Leicestershire; and hounds will generally give the 

 opportunity. Now and again a wider ditch than 

 common is met, but a little extra pace should annul 

 the difficulty. The Sparkford vale is almost all 

 grass, though a trifle of plough has crept in of late 



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