Training Experiences 



the smooth, the fat with the lean, whilst rolling 

 about with a horse in close proximity, if not 

 actually on top. He does not try to hurt us, 

 but he often succeeds in doing so. A few groans 

 are not considered infra dig. or irrelevant even 

 in the ambulance, yet their bitterness is dis- 

 counted ere we reach the Grand Stand — probably 

 unconscious. 



Not satisfied with being actively employed as a 

 steeplechase jockey — which is occupation enough 

 for three men until they are killed — 1 began 

 to train race-horses, chiefly jumpers, towards the 

 back-end of the year 1892. Of course, I also 

 rode them in their work on the Downs, in their 

 schooling practice over fences, in such trials as 

 were necessary, and in their races. The general 

 stable management was likewise solely in my 

 hands ; there was no festive aide-de-camp to 

 throw out a few indiscriminate hints when he 

 had no idea what to say. 



My hours were filled to the last possible 

 moment. I was either in the saddle, in the 

 train, in the weighing-room, or riding a desperate 

 finish ; I did not seem to be often enough in bed. 

 It was a rather wearing life. Severe shakings 

 did not contribute to my felicity. As a friend 

 said to me once : " Do not try, my boy, to burn 



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