174 ^-^^^ Cozirse, the Camp, the Chase 



between the pair from the distance, " Saracen " won by 

 half a length. I had ridden my best to win, as I par- 

 ticularly did not want to have to object if possible, but, of 

 course, there was now no help for it, as the backers of 

 " Jerezano " were very numerous. Mr. Prideaux-Brune, 

 the then owner of " Jerezano " was much averse to lodging 

 an objection, but he saw the necessity of it when it was 

 pointed out to him that the claims of the backers must be 

 considered. The stewards, therefore, telegraphed to the 

 breeder of the horse at Seville to inquire the age, and 

 before the meeting was over the answer was received, " six 

 years." He was, therefore, at once disqualified, and 

 " Jerezano " received the race. 



This partly made up for bad luck with the latter horse 

 at the steeplechase meeting in the spring. He was a jSne 

 fencer, but, as the riding was very wild, I was keeping a 

 clear course on the extreme left, not having been able to 

 get my favourite place on the right. It may, perhaps, 

 here be mentioned that I always endeavoured, when riding 

 " jump " races, to carry out some excellent hints from the 

 celebrated Jem Mason, given when I was a beginner more 

 than thirty years ago. They were very good, and often 

 proved of invaluable benefit. " Always," said he, " if 

 possible, take your place on the right of the horses, for 

 nine horses out of ten swerve to the left, so if one does 

 swerve, it will be away from you. Another thing is to 

 jump off and make the running over the first three fences 

 or so, till they have settled into their places. It ensures 

 you being in a good position, and there is plenty of time 

 afterwards to take a pull in a long steeplechase. If, how- 

 ever, you cannot get away in. front, go steady at the start, 

 and let them get over the first fence or two before you try 



