The New York herald., 1844-10-01
spartinx Intslilgence.

Il
KEN, Misunderstanding must have begin
ming was evidenced yesterday in the first attempt
at Hurdle Racing that ever took place in this coun-
| try. To those who have often witnessed this de-
scripon of sport in the old country, the proceed
| ings of Yesterday would afford them considerable
amusement those who have never seen anything
| of the kind, must have been astonished, and re-
ceiye from the display degree of information that
volumes could not convey. And when it Is borne
in mind that each hurdle in the old country is
some what more than foot higher than those on
the Beacon, and SO strongly planted as almost to
defy the possibility oi breaking them down, 1t may
be easily understood how much more the danger
| to both rider and horse than there on the pres
ent occasion; though in this case sufficiently so to
make the sport anything but comfortable to those
more Immediately concerned.
| The weather on the occasion was everything
that could be wished the ground after the previous
rain in capital order; the attendance numerous,
and on the whole highly respectable; there
were not fewer than 1900 persons present. The
hurdles were four feet high, intertwined with fern
bushes, which made them appear somewhat high
| er The first one TO be made was within about IL
or Is feet, next the distance chair, of the judges
stand; the second was little below the quarter
post; the third just before the halt mile post; the
fourth near the three quarter post, at the top OF the
| straight side horne. The conditions OF the race
were-Purse Of $500, given by the Proprletors OF
| the course. One and quarter mile heats, tour
hurdles in each heat of four feet in height, riders
weight l6O lbs; for which there were entered the
four following horses
Alfred Conovsr. Of Long leland dress blue jacket, and
green cap-H. Woodruff
4 Richards of Toronto Canada dress red jacket red
Charles Hrst Of Long Island, white jacket and cap
with dark stripe. Gallaher
The animals brought forward for the occasion
certainly appeared in first rate trim, and calculated
TO perform all that was required OF them, IN excel
lent style. Mr.. Conovers bay horse was said to be
four years old, OF good build and strength, that
in the old country, of whom hunters would say he
would not shy at five barred gate. Mr. Dixon's
Blunder was bright sorrel, of beautiful frame and
figure, much lighter and smaller than any OF the
others. MIR. Richards Hops was chesnut, aged,
and evidently knew what stout fence was, and
would not shy at six feet stone wall. 1t was said
the ground that he was one Of the first hunters
in Canada, and he had every appearance of being
such. Mr. Hrst's chesnut horse Harkaway, aged,
was about the same size and form as the former,
but evidently had not received the same training;
consequently was net SO well calculated tor the
work set before HIM.
Previous to the running, there was very little
done in the betting way, only d few nibbles were
to be had. Most of the parties present appeared
not to know or understand what was going forward
The hurdles were examined over and over again !;
some contended that the horses had to break their
way through them; others that they had to 60
over without touching them; another party that
they were to get over or through them the best
way they could, while fourth contended that the
evidence OF the best horse was that which threw
down the most hurdles and cleared the ground.
Notwithstanding all this speculation, there appear
ed to be an Impression among those who knew
something OF the ma'ier that the Toronto horse,
other, the field being the fayorite and as the
time approached for starting, few bets were made
at 25 to 20upon him. The others were scarcely
quence Of the difficulty prevailing in getting gen.
ilemen to preside who understood the SPORT and at
length two gentlemen from Canada, and another OF
this city, consented.
Shortly after four O'Clock, the riders hay-
ing been weighed, preparations were made
for the start, which took place at the quarter
mile post above the judges stand. Mr. Gala
her reached the first hurdle in advance OF the
others, Richards about length or two behind,
closely followed by Hiram Woodruff; the latter, in
attempting to clear the hurdle, knocked 1t down
in the face OF Dixon's horse, which made him
swerve and throw his rider upon the pummel Of
his saddle, but he soon recovered, and Disowned
showed that his PAGES were the best OF the lot, and
got up to them ere he reached the second hurdle.
They kept in this position to the third hurdle,
where another magnificent leap was made by Mr..
Dixon in front, followed by Richards rather more
than length behind The fourth hurdle was
reached first by Richards, followed closely by Dix
on, and both took it beautifully, when Dxons horse
stumbled, and threw him, but quick as1ght-
ming he was in saddle again, but on descending the
straight course, Richards crossed first on side,
then on the other, running Disowned close on the
rails, leaving Dixon not foot between her and the
post. Dixon eventually got clear, and led home
in advance in something more than common
canter.
In the second heat, Mr.. Dixon lead to the first
hurdle, and cleared off in good style, his horse
making clear leap OF 81 feet over the hurdle, and,
to all appearances, the spring at least six feet high,
xUith Mr. RIph opdo shon lam hoh lind i'm md
Gallaher some five or six lengths behind, who, in
endeavoring to clear the first hurdle, upset it, and
got away, which made the matter somewhat easier
for Hiram Woodruff. They kept somewhat in
this order to the second hurdle, where they ap-
peared all well up together, which the two first
cleared in fine style, but the others did not appear
to take the matter 80 easy, except Ga!laher, who
himself, but the other did take it after little per-
suasion on the part Of the riders. They were all
we'll up together from thence to the third hurdle,
where Dixon pushed in front, and cleared it most
beautifully, with Richards close on his quarter,
followed by Woodruff, as closely waited on by
Gaaher, but Hiram, In his endeavors to get clear,
his horse caught his leg in the hurdle, and both
over his horse, and afterwards most excellenty
turning himself over to get out Of the horses
way This threw W oodruff's chance out, as, be,
fore he could remount and proceed the others had
reached home, Mr.. Dixon first, about length be-
fore Mr. Richards, Gallaher some dozen ar twenty
lengths behind them. Shortly afterwards, Hiram
rode up in as good spirits, apparently, as ever, and
his friends finding he was not seriously hurt, re-
ceived him with considerable cheering. Mr.. Dixon
appeared either to have been hurt, or his exertions
to have unnerved him, for he trembled violently
and appeared ready to faint on reaching the judges
stand. 1t was then discovered that this gentleman
was severely hurt by having been thrown on the
pummel of his saddle, as before mentioned. Not
wlthstanding this, the gentleman made his appear
ance for the second heat, although evidently not
in proper condition for riding.
At the conclusion Of the second heat, it was with
some difficulty that Mr.. Dixon could dismount
when called on SO to do by the judges, he was so
had to assist him in 30 doing, and he shortly after
wards tainted, and was carried into the judges
| stand, where the nature Of his hurt was ascer-
tanned, remedies applied for his recovery, and in
short time afterwards he was enabled to leave the
stand
| Some dispnte then ensued as 10 the riding, Mr..