The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-06-20
THRILLING HORSEBACK FEATS
Extraordinary Performances in tho
Saddle by Daring English
EqueStrians.

y
of Workmanship performed in this or
any other country was that of Mr.. John
Leech Naming at the White Hart hotel,
Aylesbury, nearly three-quarters of
century ago. He rode his horse up
stairs into the dining-room, and while
the meal was in progress jumped the
animal clean over the table, says Tit
Bits. Describing the incident not very
long ago, Mr.. Naming said: Nothing
was removed from the table. In fact
the dinner was actually going on. |
jumped the horse barebacked without
a bride, before more than 40 gentle
men, who were dining after the steeple-
chases."
Seven or eight years ago a number of
German officers stationed at Metz per-
formed an extraordinary equestrian
exploit-or perhaps escapade, it might
be called. Shortly after 10 one night
six lieutenants of the Thirteenth dra-
CONS dashed out of the barracks on
their chargers clad in nothing hut
their shirts. Without pausing they
charged an adjacent cafe, breaking the
bOpl ways anu NiIiONS anu ping
their horses over the heads of the ter
rified customers. Two of them actual
ly roade around the large hall of the
cafe, the others contenting themselves
with leading their horses around by
bride. The police were at once sent
for by the proprietor, but as one con-
stable who ventured to eXpostulate was
20 L
the others thought it prudent not to
interfere. A few minutes later the
rowdy officers remounted their steeds
and rode off again at the gallop. 1t is
hardly necessary to add that their out
rageous conduct created quite sensa-
ton in the town.
For the sake of a wager remarEa bic
feat of Craftsmanship was some years
ago accomplished by sporting noble
man in 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 a good deal of per-
was finally performed, though the
damage done to the stair carpets and
other things amounted to almost ESQ,
which had to be paid by the winner.
The foregoing performance was par
alleled by the exploit of a 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
Gle, and running down the fence. got in
at Kirton Lindsey, and it was consid-
cred all the more remarkable because
the weight of the rider was as much as
12 stone, while that of the mount was
under 80 stone.
A marvellous feat in the hunting field
was reported few months since from
Warrnambool, Victoria. During a run
OF the local hounds horse known as
Handy Anoy, ridden by Mr.. NJ. j. Dick
son, approached a stiff four-rail fence
in the neighborhooda a Grasmere. An
other horse. bearing DR.. Mcknight,
stopped within few feet Of the obsta-
Gle, and running down the fence, got in
the way of Handy Andy. The latter
then jumped the obstructing horse,
rider and fence, just touching the doc
tor with his hoofs. The feat was SUI
perbly done, but, unfortunately, Handy
Andy stumbled on landing and unseat-
ed his clever and intrepid rider.
Some extraordinary equestrian ex.
ploits have taken place in New York.
At costly banquet, given some time
ago in the carriage room of Mr.. W. II.
Clark, an American millionaire, his ia
vorite horse was ridden round the table
by one of the 40 guests after it had en-
ioyed poetical feed" of flowers and
champagne. Afterward Shetland po-
mics were ridden into and about the
room by others of the guests. the rev.
els 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 neighbcr-
ing mountain without mishap to men
or mounts.