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HORSEMANSHIP DISCUSSED Leading Riders of Their Day Re ¬ called by J B Radcliffe Writer Severely Condemns JJutolicr Hoys Hoysand and Uccitcs Attributes Xcccssary to the theflaking flaking of tlie Perfect Jockey The following extract from 1 B Radcliffes Ashgill on the Life and Times of John Osborne gives some interesting data on riders of other days Superficial critics of horsemanship labor under the delusion that nothing is easier in the world than the making of a jockey But the mannikins if the epithet may be per ¬ mitted of the turf at least those in the front rank like poets are born not made They do not vegetate on every gooseberry bush Eagles do not bring forth doves Though talent may run in families it is not always hereditary With different talents formed We variously excel excelEach Each generation has boasted its favorite since Frank Buckle flourished in the period extending from 17S3 to 1S32 And be it said here that Frank Buckle throughout his career enjoyed a reputation for skill in his profes ¬ sion and spotless integrity in his conduct that runs parallel with the character of John Osborne OsborneConstant Constant practice from early childhood is a great factor in acquiring the art of horse ¬ manship but if the genius for jockeyship be not inborn any amount of practice will fail to produce the beau ideal There is an im ¬ palpable animal magnetism between man and horse which is really a gift and cannot be acquired acquiredCHEAT CHEAT HOUSEMEN OF THE PAST PASTLooking Looking through the vista of the past we may recount the names of great horsemen in Francis Buckle Samuel Chifney the young ¬ er Harry Edwards J B Day William Scott Tommy Lye Job Marson Sam Rogers Elnathan Flatman Francis Butler Alfred Day Tiny Wells Thomas French and Thomas Aldcroft Coming to a later epoch George Fordham was easily best and in his period stand out masters in Fred Archer Jim Snowden Fred Webb John Watts Tom Cannon Harry Custance Charles Wood and last though not least John Osborne who in point of age if not in absolute artistic emi ¬ nence stands out the noblest Roman RomanIn In judging the subtleties of jockeyship one is almost inclined to believe in the Pytha ¬ gorean idea of the transmigration of souls for it is often evidenced that a horse runs much more generously in the hands of a cer ¬ tain jockey than he does in any other George Fordham was a striking example of the truism for often enough a horse would run ten pounds better under him than when piloted by a less sympathetic man manFordham Fordham by subtle influence had the power of conveying his will to stimulate the speed the courage and the heart nay even the soul to consider the point curiously of the animal he bestrode Nor was this achieved by the ruthless use of the whip and spur which only too often marked Fred Archers efforts in a desperate finish It was attained by the velvet touch of the hands on the reins which acted as a con ¬ ductor of the human current to the equine inspiring confidence and energy in the horse horselOHDHAJPS lOHDHAJPS HIDING METHOD METHODOnly Only on rare occasions did Fordham apply whip and spur and these happened mostly when he was on a slow muddling rogue which would never do his best under the milder method of riding with the hands handsArcher Archer particularly in the earlier period of his career was extremely severe on two yearolds and many a young things heart lie broke by the punishment he administered That really fins horseman and equally fine character Tom Cannon made it a rule never to punish a twoyearold and even as much can be said of John Osborne Fred Webb too was an artistic handler of youngsters youngstersMore More races have been lost by butcher boys by the almost unpardonable use of whip and spur than pen can record In ¬ deed one is inclined to think that the mag rates of the turf would be enacting a hu ¬ mane law if they forbade raceriding with the adjuncts of whip and spur These in ¬ struments may be necessary in some cases It is the accursed fashion of having so many short cut races in which the jockeys are at it hammer and tongs from pillar to post that creates a breed of butcher boys who ignorant of the fine art of riding or unendowed with the instincts of the true genuine horseman cut open the sides of their mounts from girth to shoulder A game spent horse may be struggling beyond his powers yet he is whipped and spurred in a manner that makes the real lover of the thoroughbred blush at the sight Some readers may consider this criticism maudlin others we feel persuaded will recognize in it an honest desire to see the treatment of the most noble of the brute creation more merciful and generous generousNo No royal road has yet been discovered for the making of a perfect horseman the essentials are so numerous and diversified to complete the whole just as they are neces ¬ sary in the embodiment of a perfect horse a creation yet to come in that it is almost a physical and mental impossibility for a single individual to combine them in his anat ¬ omy Here is a whimsical rhyme of a ver ¬ sifier in Baily bearing on this point pointHOW HOW TO MAKE A JOCKEY In a pestle and mortar of moderate size Into Coventrys head put Lord Marcuss Marcusseyes eyes Cut Tom Cannons throat and save all the theblood blood To answer your purpose theres none half halfso so good goodPound Pound Archer to dust as youll find it ex ¬ pedient pedientThe The world cannot furnish a better ingredi ¬ ent From the Barretts and Wood take plenty plentyof of spirit Successful or not they have always that thatmerit merit meritJim Jim Gcaters address John Osbornes ad ¬ vice A touch of Prometheus its done in a atrice trice While the versifier pays a welldeserved meed of praise to the judgment of Mr Coventry and to the eagle glance of Lord Marcus eyes lie is somewhat bloodthirsty in his intention toward poor Tom Cannon What has the master of Danebury done in all conscience to justify his throat being I cut Alas Archers dust is being pound ¬ ed in his cold narrow home which he reached all too soon by bis own act The Barretts are no longer chief actors on the stage of the turf Charlie Wood returned to his old love after nine years banishment at an estimated personal loss of 200000 for the time of his license being withdrawn he would in all probability have been earn ¬ ing 25000 a year yearThe The poet was more kindly to Jim Goater and compliments John Osborne upon his wis ¬ dom But Avhence arc we to derive the Promethean fire to illumine the ashes of the dead with the living and to realize perfection of head heart and hands of strength pa ¬ tience finesse judgment and integrity all of which arc elements to be sought for in the devoutlytobewishedfcr consummation OMAHA PURSE OFFERING OMAHA Neb March 3 The AliSarBen Exhibition Company will distribute 65000 in purses during its spring meeting of nine ¬ teen days beginning June 2 and continuing to June 23 There will be six or more races daily This meeting is sanctioned by the Nebraska State Racing Commission Specu ¬ lation will be confined to the parimutuels the only legal method of wagering permitted in this state stateSportsmen Sportsmen here are hoping that somothing may be done to avoid the clash of dates be ¬ tween Hawthorne Chicago and the local track The Illinois Jockey Club has an ¬ nounced a spring meeting for the same time that the Omaha meeting will be in progress and as the local dates cannot be changed secretary Charles L Trimble of the AkSar Ben Exhibition Company has gone to New Orleans to meet manager Thomas Uourke of Hawthorne and try to persuade him to change his plan Mr Trimble believes it will be for the best interests of both associations
