310 HORSEMANSHIP. 



of having too often a country selected for him to 

 run across, abounding in almost insurmountable 

 obstacles, as well as, in some cases, deep ri\^ers ; 

 likewise under a heavy weight. Human lives have 

 already been the victims of this practice, and, we 

 are sorry to say, several horses have died from 

 over-exerting themselves, as well as by accidents, in 

 steeple-races. We have reason to believe, however, 

 that they will not become a lasting amusement of 

 British sportsmen. 



Qualifications for a Steeple-Chase Rider.- — 

 These are exactly what are wanting in a very fast 

 run over a stiffly enclosed country with fox-hounds ; 

 namely, a fine bridle-hand, a steady seat, a cool 

 head, undaunted courage, and, above all things, 

 great quickness, and very prompt decision. But the 

 steeple-chase jockey has one evil to guard against, 

 which the racing jockey is, comparatively, but 

 little subject to, and this is a fall. The best pre- 

 ventive of it is keeping a horse well together, and 

 making: him o^o in a collected form at his fences, as 

 well as over rough ground, which, when going 

 nearly at the top of his pace, will be only done by 

 a rider with a very good bridle-hand. But, at the 

 same time, he must be careful not to overmark his 

 horse, or he will not be able to rise at his fences 

 when he gets to them. And here lies the great 

 difficulty after all, as far as the horse is concerned. 

 He must go, at least he is called upon to go, at a 

 much quicker rate than he can reasonably be ex- 

 pected to maintain, for any considerable length of 



