86 SPORTING STORIES 



one." The aboriginal oxer prevailed ; the brook — the 

 river Welland — was cleaned out to the width of i8 ft. 

 I have no idea of the depth, but the scenes which 

 occurred here were remarkable. A good many of the 

 provincial riders required a considerable amount of "jump- 

 ing powder " to induce them to face this brook and other 

 equally formidable fences. A lady well known in the 

 sporting circles of her day, however, cleared the water 

 before the assembled multitude in cold blood ! The owner 

 of Bridegroom supplied the winner, Queensferry, who was 

 again steered by Mr Burton, the second year. 



The first Grand National Hunt recorded in Weatherby 

 is the race at Bedford, in 1867, when the late Captain 

 Coventry rode Emperor III. and won by six lengths. 

 That was as stiff a course as could well be found. There 

 was a double post and rails " improved " with a ditch, 

 which most of the jockeys objected to, and it was conse- 

 quently decided that one of the rails should be taken down 

 at a particular spot so as to give the riders the option of 

 an easier place. Captain Coventry made no objection to 

 this, as he saw that by going straight over the double he 

 could gain considerably on those who diverged to the gap ; 

 and he carrried out his plan most successfully. 



I shall have some personal anecdotes and reminiscences 

 of famous steeplechasers to set down anon ; but for the 

 present I will be content with a glimpse at the grand " Old 

 Squire," George Osbaldeston. 



In his day cross-country jockeyship was but little 

 practised, and Grand Nationals and professionals were 

 unknown. No regular courses were laid out ; but if a 

 match had to be settled, four miles of the most intricate 

 country in Leicestershire or Northamptonshire was selected, 

 and the riders had to get from one point to the other 

 as best they could. Consequently there were greater 

 opportunities for the display of those qualities which are 

 the essentials of a steeplechase jockey, viz. nerve and 

 knowledge of pace and country, than are afforded in the 

 events of the present day. 



Among the most celebrated of the matches which 

 Osbaldeston rode was the one between Clinker and 



