The New York herald., 1879-10-17
TILTING IN PHILADELPHIA.
'IRITED SPORT BETwEEN MAEyLANDERs, vIna
GINIANs AND PENNsYLvANIANs.
nn IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Oct. 16. II

xs PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Oct. 16. 1872
!, The tournament which was begun to-day tht
Perlnanont Exhibition Ground. as prelude
to the Yorktown centenary celebration.
was entirely successful. The preparations not
being completed early was expected. the
riding did not begin until after four o'clock SO that
only part of the days sport finished. The
course lists extended about five hundred
fleet along the lawn. parallel with the south
aide of the Centennial Building. From the
upper end of the the first arch is 240 feet
Of clear starting ground. The second. aud which
the horseman passes through, is eighty feet beyond
the first. and the third and last arch eighty
feet below. The second marks tho end
of the 300-foot course. which must be run
by knights inside Of ten seconds. This is . rule
which not too rigidly adhered to to-day. Sus-
pended from the top Of the arch by slender wire
and hook. the steel ring. just the size of silver
dollar, hangs level with tho horseinan's shou-
ders. These rings must be speared and picked from
their book by the knights at full galop.
SIGHT.
The arches were gaudily dressed with flags, and az
the small battalion Of horsemcn trotted down the
course on their spirited animals the field
presented a very pretty sight. Tho vir-
gnians wore the Continental suit OF blue,
lined with buff, and thrce-cornered hats
The Maryianders we're attred in the cavalry suits
of green, with slouch hats and plumos. while the
Pennsylvanians wore buckskin suits and caps. Some
of the best natural riders in the country were on
the field ana the first hour spent in practising
at the rings was perhaps as pleasing to
the spectators the serious sport. The
Marylanders and yirginisns brought their horses
with them and they were well mounted some Of
the swiftest and surest horses to be found In the
country
VICIOUS HORSES.
The Pennsylvanians were not fortunate in the
way of horses. Those animals who could bo urged
to requisite speed had ragged gait. which pre-
cluded any proficiency with the spear good many
ugly horses have been tried snce the arrival OF the
knights here and not few accidents have occurred.
One horse in particular battle the skill Of numbe1
of riders. and finally was taken in hand by p.
Scaggs. young man from Prince George county,
Md. He was q beautiful rider. and was probably
right in saying that very few horses in
tho world could throw him. But this Pennsylvania
horse of the iew After some difficulty he
managed to ride the animal up to the upper end Of
the course. She started down toward the arches
which few horses could follow
Mr.. Scaggs had to watch the horse SO closely that
the rings neglected. After coming through
the third arch with its powerless rider the horse
shot into the air and came down with legs stiff
u three-legged STOOL Before the knight had recov-
cred from his surprise enough to pick himself on
the neck of the animal its hind legs rose. as 1t
seemed to the lookers-on. almost perdendcularlys
and Mr.. Scaggs left tho saddle with terrific
velocity He down his hip and arm
and carried OF the track by his friends. No
OF the EARTH but the unfortunate rider injured
internally so seriously that he was sent home before
the tournament began
THE TOURNAMENT BEGAN.
The tournament began with the appearance on the
track of the knight OF Penns and Lancaster
An address delivered by Geor rye 4. Nelson, mem-
ber the Baltimore Bar. The running began In very
spirited manner. Th. lance work in cases was
wonderful. Maryland's men obtained the best score
of the day. although only run, out Of tho three
to which each player is entitled. was ridden.