Evening star., 1902-03-22
HORSEBACK FEATS,
Extraordinary Performances by Daring
English Equestrians.
From Tit-BitS.

FROM III DIS.
One of the most extraordinary feats Of
horsemanship performed in this or any
other country was that of Mr.. John Leech
Naming a the White Hart Hotel, Ayles-
bury, nearly three-quarters of century
ago. He rode his horse upstairs into the
dining room, and while the meal was in
progress jumped the animal clean over the
table. Describing the incident not very
long ago, Mr. Naming said: Nothing was
removed from the table. In fact, the din
ner was actually going on. l jumped the
horse barebacked, without a bride. before
more than forty gentlemen, who We're din
ing after the SteeplechaseS.'
Seven or eight years ago a number of
German officers stationed at Metz per-
formed an extraordinary equestrian exploit
or perhaps escapadc 1t ought to be called
Shortly after II one night six lieutenants
of the 18th Dragons dashed out of the
barracks on their chargers, clad in nothing
but their shirts. Without pausing they
charged an adjacent cafe, breaking the
doorWays and windows and leaping their
horses over the heads Of the terrified GUS
toners. Two of them actually rode around
the large hall Of the cafe, the others con-
tenting themselves with leading their
horses round by the bride. The police
were at once sent for by the proprietor. but
as one constable who ventured to eXpostu-
late was brutally maltreated for his temer-
ity, the others thought it prudent not to in
terfere. A few minutes later the ruwdy
officers remounted their steeds and rode off
again at the gallop. 1t is hardly necessary
to add that their outrageous conduct
created quite a sensation in the town.
For the sake of a wager a remarkable
feat of horSemanship was some years ago
accomplished by sporting nobleman in a
certain West End mansion. He made bet
with a friend that he would ride his pony
from the ground floor of the house to the
top and down again. His steed required
good deal of persuasion to attempt the task.
but it was finally performed, though the
damage done to the stair carpets and other
things amounted to almost f50, which had
to be paid by the winner.
The foregoing performance was paralleled
by the exploit Of Lincolnshire farmer,
who, at Kirton Lindsey, in that county.
succeeded in riding pony up two flights
of stairs into room and to the ground
floor again. The scene of this equestrian
feat was the George Inn at kirton Lindsey
and il was considered all the more remark
able because the weight of the rider was as
much as twelve stone, while that of his
mount was under thirty stone
A marvellous feat in the hunting field was
reported few months since from War;
MANHOOD Victoria. During run of the
local hounds a horse known as Handy
Andy, ridden by Mr.. NJ. J. Dickson, ap-
proa a stiff four-rail fence in the
neighborhood at Grasmere. Another horse
bearing DR.. MacKnight. stopped within
few feet Of the obstacle and running down
the renee, got In the way or Handy Andy.
The latter then jumped the obstructing
horse, rider and fence, just touching the
doctor with his hoofs. The feat was
superby done. but unfortunate Handy
Andy stumbled on landing and unseated his
clever and intrepid rider.
Some extraordinary equestrian exploits
have taken place in New York. At costly
banquet, given some time ago in the car
riage room Of Mr. W. H. Clark, an Amer
lean millionaire, his favorite horse was
ridden round the table by one Of the forty
guests, after it had enjoyed poetical
feed of flowers and champagne. After
ward Shetland ponies were ridden into and
about the room by others of the guests the
revels being prolonged into the small hours
of the morning.
Some volunteer officers in Wales rode
their horses at full gallop at midnight over
the rocky declivities of neighboring
mountain without mishap to men or
mounts.