8 
Last year the R.A. won the prize, and the year before the R.E. secured it, both 
victories being obtained by narrow margins, but this year the Staff, with several 
strong representatives, were thought to have a good chance. 
The course was chosen by the Master, Mr. Pablo Larios, who acted as starter, 
and who—meeting the field, which reached the large number of 69, at the first 
Venta—led them across the first river through Dyer’s Covert up the stony 
ravines beyond it and out to the N.W. of what is known as Holdsworth’s Gorze 
after a late popular M.I’.H. and ©.R.A. at Gibraltar. Here the competitors were 
informed that the finish was on the open ground east of the river, between the 
second Venta and the Duke of Kent’s Farm, close to the edge of the Cork Woods, 
and it was at once apparent that the Agua Corta Brook, the high Pino Ridge, the 
first river itself, and the railway must ‘be crossed before the ‘coal, distant about 
four miles, was reached. 
The main obstacle was, of course, the river, and opinions were divided as to 
whether it should be crossed at the Venta Ford or at that opposite the Duke of 
Kent’s Farm. The field were soon despatched and before very long Mr. Charlie 
Larios, who rides a nice light-weight and was mounted on a very well bred 
English mare, showed the way, his knowledge of the country serving him in good | 
stead. He was followed by a large contingent of R.H., but the gunners were not 
very fortunate at the outset, encountering some bad ground. 
On crossing the Agua Corta stream, however, they made a sharp turn to the 
left, led by Colonel Adye, which placed them in a forward position on gaining the 
crest of the Pino ridge. From here the winning post, some mile and a half 
distant, could be seen in the valley below and the field divided down the two 
main spurs that lead to the river. A considerable portion made for the second 
Venta Ford, but another and more fortunate division followed Mr. C. Larios’s 
pink coat straight at the river, of which he knew a crossing not known to any one 
else. When fhe level valley was reached Mr. Larios led by about a hundred yards 
and was followed by Lieut.-Colonel. Adye and Captain Phillips, R.A., Captain 
Bigge, R.E., and Colonel Gordon and Lieut. Ingles, West Yorkshire Regiment, 
almost abreast. 
The leader maintained his advantage and won easily, buta series of small 
ditchesin very holding ground proved too much for several of his followers on 
beaten horses, and with Captain Bigge, breaking a stirrup leather, and coming to 
grief in the river, and Captain Phillips at the vailway, Lieut.-Colonel Adye, on. 
his mare Courba, scored the maximum points for the R.A ; 
Lieut. Alderson, R.A. was third, and Captains Phillips and Bigge, who had 
quickly remounted, were placed next. 
Mr. Charlie Larios therefore won the individual prize, while the R.A., with a 
total of 85 .points took the Regimental one, the R.E. being next with 61. 
The names of the R.A. placed i in the first twenty officers are as follows :— 
Ist Lieut.-Col. Adye on C@URBA ............4.-...6.- 20 points, 
mel ILnemt, Alislemsom Om Ia CHAT coccoccoanse00 LY 5 
Bnd Cypriot Wiwilhips OM IPANW oo. ooocvscevoro00000ce0000 A gg 
Sin Item, Seaman Om Wisi (COA ~ . 5, c5ed080u0 000000 hah Ags 
12th Captain Jackson Om IDUSTNT INIT, 555000050000 Oem 
15th Lieut. Hall on Grey Friars . serra mt OME 
Wil, Wenewke, SRets Od WWisoa) SWAN 50209008 000000000500 (Omar 
LGth ibiewt, Keslosl @m SIMON coosoooocccoccosvavsoscc000 = Ogg 
Och Iinewir, Rmiovem Om “WOW DIMD,.5 500500000000 000 900500 Oo 5) 
Total eta mec ee eae oD points. 
General Richardson, R.A., officiated as judge, and there was a very large 
attendance of spectators, including His Excellency, Sir Robert Biddulph. 
