Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17

in the Smithsonian Institution but some
kentucky people objected to the scheme and
1t was dropped.
Now that the new Century speedway has
had ITS second dedication and reincarnation,
from now on great things will be doing,
Had the weather at the opening been made
to order 1t could not have been finer and
the attendance4was worthy of the great oc-
casion. The spirits, for that was all they
were. were at all times interesting, which
by the vigorous way the horses in sew
eral events were teamed and the interest
manifested, demonstrates that good sport
does not always depend upon the size or
nature OF the prize hung up. AS far as
the teaming OF the mounts Is concerned.
1t is pretty generally conceded that the
honors OF the day were carried of by E. K.
Taylor, ST., John o. Green and B. F. Nc
Caully, although the last named is not
strictly an amateur. as are the two first
named. The results in some OF the contests
@are not exactly satisfactory to the owners
of some of the defeated horses and there
VIII be other trials of speed-espec ally be-
tween Mysotis. 2.13A. and Ada b., 2.151a
5er
Ada D., like all hoppled PAGERS, is handi-
capped in speedway contests. as the straps
are barred. The same rule affects Bed
worth, IT.. 2:061s, and there are others sim
iiariy affected, which. if they are to race
successfully, must eventually be placed In
slower classes. The National Trotting As
ISOLATION has gone to the length of its ali-
tocratic powers to discourage racing on
Grand Circuit and other association tracks
horses that cannot go without straps. 1t is
case, however, Of leading the horse to
water. for when the beast refuses to par
take of the fluid what is one to do? In
their desire to secure all the entries possi-
IL. ha oil froa IL .aaf,%f to- IL
country refuse to comply with the law and
there you are; the parent association Is
powerieSs to enforce a rule of its own
making. In the meantime, encouraged by
the same, the hoppies are slapped on every
animal showing an inclination to pace in
order TO save time and keep him on his
gait at high speed. and every season PAGERS
are turned out by the carload until today
trotters are at high premium and PAGERS
al low discount. A graphic illustratio of
this fact was shown in the speedway con-
tests Wednesday last OF the twenty horses
engaged only six We're trotters. If this ratio
continues how long Will lit be before the
trotter becomes relic of a bygona age at
the national capital? A hoppled trotter is
a rare thing on the race track - 1t would
be as fair to hopple one, however, as the
other; in fact, trihe more so, because the
trOt is an artificial gait, while the pace like
a trotter no trainer would think for mo-
nent OF placing hopples on him to keep him
ON his stride.
Horsemen have read with thrilling inter-
est the graphic description of the tanning Of
Pommers, by Sir Conan Doyle, in his first
chapter of Sir Nigel Loring," serial
story now running in the Magazine of The
Sunday Star.
According to Sir Conan, the famous POM
mers was by Spanish sire. his dam being
an Arab. Also. according to Sir Conan. the
famous yellow horse was seventeen hands
high. The novelist, like the poet Is ac-
corded wide latitude, but as a matter Of
fact. 1t Is doubtful whether there ever lived
In real life horse OF the height-~raa med
possessed Of the blood lines described TIC
begin with, the Spanish horse was, and Is.
OF saracen blood and kin to the Arabian
u not of pure Arabian blood; probably a
Barb. which is a half-bred Arabian
The pure Spanish horse was, and Is to-
day, small animal-scant fifteen hands,
while the average Arabian is about 142
Each breed is noted for its weight-carrying
qualities, but at best, fitted only for light
cavalry When the Saraeens invaded the
south OF France along in the eighth CEN
snry' though spiendidly mounted and the
best horsemen the world had ever seen. Il
was the heavy Flanders horses ridden by
Charles Martel and his followers that over
came the invaders and drove them back.
and not the superior bravery of the French
There IS so much of poetry and romance
connected with the Spanish horse and his
eongener, the Arabian, that Sir Conan
doubtless felt justified in mounting Sir
Nigel on an animal that could trace HIS
sibiy Pommers was freak.
Speaking of the savage horses, ouch al
Pommers-no horse, Wild or tame, was born,
savage. What the Wild horse does to