The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-18
FOUR-IN-HAND COACHING


(Gilcs Whilst. In Frank Leslis's Monthly.
The pubic coach idea, the opportunity
afforded TO enjoy the most aristocrstic
Of all sports. does not belong to any one
social set, but 70 Hospitality open to all
who can pay the fare. The richest or the
humblest citizen may book seat; the
frEt conner having the first choice OF
place. This enterprise IL backed by few
men who havs the sporting fever In their
blood. They put professional whip In
on the box during the two months Of
the season.
The preliminary arrangements for rum
nirg public coach involve almost a.
much work as the staging Of o new play.
For weeks before the opening Of the
season, both the men and the beasts who
are to figure In the great event spend
their time training and rehsarsing. The
departure IL planned and the run pre-ar-
ranged, down 10 the minu test detail. 10
the selection Of horses. In the 'eQuine
equipment" the incest Discriminate on
10 necessary. The horses are gath sred
from all over the country. Tbs coach
horse must be of mature age, horse un-
der six years Of age being too full OF
youthful enthusiasm. A beast with q
er too closely resembles that Of . short.
thick -neoked man. You Gan never per-
suade him that Jour way Is better than
his, and with the short neck he Is physi.
cally able to with stsna the argument OF
the most accomplished whip. long.
most desirable Horses with that obarac-
terIstic are usually better tempered and
much easier to train and handle. To Mt
and season tine horses after they have
been matched, Is the first lesson In their
education. and q law, green team, fresh
from the country, demands a. much pa
thence and spanking as twins. Being I'M
accustomed to the roar OF the city. they
are gradually introduced to the strange
sights and noises by morning JauDts. at
which times only two horses are driven to
a light skeleton brnks. When they have
become sufficiently acolimatized to have
their first 20 at four-in-hand. they are
hooked to stout body brake, and, II
after months probation they have over
come their rein shyness, have not de-
veloped any evil traits, and can 60 the
pace and distance, they may become iden-
titled with the exhilarating sport Of
coaching. The runs are regulated 30 that
n coaching stable, including the four ex-
tra-"emergsncy" animals, can show
one horse for each mile Of the distance,
one way, to be covered.
Out Of the popularity which coaching
gained as sport grew the Idea Of
coaching club. or all clubs, the coach
ing club lis the most exclusive. 10 be-
come n EN- Der one must own q coach,
and run It regularly between the city and
a country place. The first American club
was organized In 1871, with six English
built coaches. This same club now in
cludes - coaches, II or 10 of which are
necessary TO quorum az the annual pa
rade In Central park.
The popularity of coaching rs q sport
is that 1t had Its origin In business.
When railroads supplantsd the stage
coach and drove the old-time whips out
of the trade, gentlemen began maintain
ing coaches for the pleasure of driving
the horses. Every driver Of foor-in-
hand today observes punotiliously all the
formalities of coaching etiquet. The
amateur whip always salutss the profess
sional new driver NAV occupy So
oisl position ever SO lofty. he may bs q
millionaire or prince, but he always
bows to an old coachman. Indeed. the
whip of the day will observe every rule
and face every danger Of tie road, for the
pleasure he derives In making q sport
II that which, In our forsfathers' time.
was q business.