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Much attention would seem to have been 
given to the mounting of our cavalry and 
the general efficiency of that arm by Anne's 
generals. Col. Geo. Denison, in his Hzstory 
of Cavalry (London, 1877), says that the 
battle of Blenheim in 1704 was almost 
altogether decided by the judicious use of 
cavalry, while at Ramillies in 1706, and 
Malplaquet, the cavalry played a very im- 
portant part in the operations. 
In the later years of her reign the Queen’s 
interest in racing became still more apparent; 
she gave her first Royal gold cup, value 
60 guineas, in 1710; and yet more plates: 
further, she ran horses in her own name at 
York and elsewhere. 
There was little change on the “ Road” 
during Anne’s time; springs of steel had 
replaced the leather straps used in England 
until about 1700, but the coaches, improved 
in minor details, were still ponderous and 
required powerful teams to draw them. The 
Queen’s own state coach was drawn by six 
mares of the Great Horse, or as it should 
be called in connection with the period 
under survey, the Shire Horse breed. Oxen 
were used in the slow stage waggons, as 
appears from the laws passed by William 
III. and Anne. The law of the latter 
