176 Indian Racing Reminiscences. 



backed Don Juan, entreated Jack Irving, who was 

 standing near, to mount him, but Jack curtly repHed> 

 " Ride him yourself, I won't," and Don Juan was sent 

 back to his stable. In the meantime I cantered Rebecca, 

 who fenced in grand form, round the remainder of the 

 course, and left Mr. Hartwell and Marquis perched on 

 the top of the big double, off which, so high was it, the 

 country-bred was afraid to jump for some time. 



Being impressed with the evil effect the practice of 

 allowing honorary secretaries of race-meetings to make 

 what kind of steeplechase jumps they saw fit had on 

 sport, I wrote several letters on the subject, under the 

 ?io;h de phune of " Glenbrook," in the Pioneer, and advo- 

 cated certain limits as to height and length. I am glad 

 to say my teaching was taken to heart. The Meerut 

 course was reconstructed on the model I had sketched 

 out, and the authorities of several other fixtures followed 

 suit. 



After the Cawnpore Meeting, Mr. Studd wrote to me 

 to sell Rebecca, as he had purchased the well-known 

 chaser, Jovial. I sold Rebecca to Captain Grant for 

 Rs. 1000, which was fully her value, as her fore legs 

 were too light to stand the weights she would have to^ 

 carry as a plater, and was Rs. 200 more than Mr. Studd 



