Early Days 1 3 1 



the gem. But men of the stamp of Squire 

 Osbaldeston, Lord Clanricarde, and the Mar- 

 quis of Waterford were those most deserving 

 of honourable mention as supporters of steeple- 

 chasing about this time. 



Although not coming under the heading of 

 cross - country sport, one can hardly refrain 

 from alluding to the Squire's great match 

 against time at Newmarket. In an old sport- 

 ing magazine of December 1831, there is a 

 capital account of the way in which he 

 galloped his four mile heats, and won his 

 ;^iooo bet with Colonel Charritie, having 

 an hour and twenty-one minutes to spare 

 from the stipulated ten hours' time. In 

 doing the 200 miles, he used twenty-eight 

 difierent horses, and amongst them was a 

 good little mare, Dolly, by Figaro, owned 

 either then, or immediately afterwards, by 

 my grandfather, and which bred him two or 

 three very useful colts. 



Lord Strathmore strongly supported steeple- 

 chasing, and was often seen in the saddle to 

 great advantage ; Captains Powell and Peel, 



