204 The Course, the Camp, the Chase 



the placing of the jumps. In this case the hurdles in 

 front of the stand were so fixed, that the horses would 

 have to take off on dry ground and alight on to the 

 watered part of the course, which had now about an inch 

 of mud on the top, with hard ground underneath. We 

 all know how dangerous that is, and how slipping is a 

 certainty under such conditions; I ordered the hurdles to 

 be put further back, so that the horses would alight on to 

 dry ground, as well as take off from it ; as to slipping when 

 galloping, that they had to take their chance of. 



The workmen began to alter the hurdles and then 

 stopped, and proceeded to replace them in their former 

 position, whereupon I jumped up from the seat where I 

 was sitting with the other professional jockeys, and went 

 to see what was the matter. The workmen said, that 

 Her Majesty desired that the hurdles should remain 

 where they were, as she wished to see the horses jump 

 exactly underneath her. This did not suit my view of 

 the case, however, and telling them that the hurdles must 

 be altered, I resumed my seat. Directly afterwards up 

 came an officer of the Court, in a gorgeous uniform and 

 cocked hat, who very courteously saluted me and said, that 

 " when the English gentleman understood it was the wish 

 of La Eeina that the hurdles should remain where they 

 were, the English gentleman could have no objection." 

 " But the English gentleman has an objection," I replied. 

 " I am sorry to disappoint Her Majesty, but the hurdles 

 are too dangerous where they are, so they must be altered." 

 The officer retired, then returned and remarked, " La 

 Eeina said, 'Are you an Englishman, and afraid to ride?' " 

 Now this answer made me more determined than ever to 

 have the hurdles removed, for there was a tragical story 



