The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16
COACHING WAYS AND DAYS.
NEW SPRING TRIPS FOR THE
AuiTETR DRIVING EXPERTS.

"
rpnng meet Of the Westohester Racing
Association at Belmont Park, but the trip
Ia a more formidable one than TO Morris
Park and 40 out Of the reckoning for the
aftermath Of the spring parade Of the
CoarNrg Club IN Central Park. But the
road 10 the Long Island course viii be
lively with coaches and fours, the high
steprprs and roadsters and the ever pass
ing automobiles. The scene should be as
gay anG exciting rs the read to the great
race Of long ago between Fashion and Boston
At Tfion Course, but without the over
crowdtng and rabble. for driving is a lux
ury roy and the crush Is on the trains and
trolley
To the Coaching Club il is a cause for
regrst that after the coming meet there
nav not be an informal drive TO Morris
Park and luncheon at the little tables Of the
Turf and Field Club a. Part OF the outing.
There were eighteen drags at the meet last
spring. ~ o more than in 1884 which had been
the record year. and including road coaches
and brake there we're half a hundred
vehlrlcs drawn by four-in-hAnd teams to
entpr the Norris Park gates that day. The
marking spaces de as fire a show az a
coach line AZ an English Tacemeet, and the
FAST drive hack 10 Central Park and the
town was an exhilaTating finale TO the
rscipr. There will be no lack Of coaches
IN the background Of the picture at the
Turf and Field Club this May, in its new
location al Belmont Park, but the Coach
ing Club members will not be in view ON
the first Saturday, however prominent on
the other days.
This is because return has been made
10 the custom Of some years ago, the cause
being that as there is no racecourse to drive
10 the meet will he in the afternoon In
stead Of in the morning. 1t will be held
on Saturday. May Q. and be preceded by
luncheon in the Metropolitan Club annex.
The driver Of each coach will entertain
bis party at the club, the special luncheons
being served on separate tables OF SIX
covers with floral decorations to match
the colors Of the hosts coach-jonquils
for Col Jays table. red roses for r. l..
Gerry's. violets for G. l.. Boissevain's table
and 30 on. Col, Jay as president, will lead
the line and It will be the twenty-second
dine that he has marshalled the whips in
The annual parades Of the Coaching Club.
Starting on April 10, the Pioneer has
already been on the road between this city
and the Ardsley Club daily. except Sun
day, With r. W. Rves, A. @. Vanderbilt
and G. L. Boissevain taking turns on the
BOZ seat. Tho natty coach and spanking
horses add a delightful bit Of color to the
spring crush Of Fifth avenue, In its COM
!ngs and goings with full load on top, red
coated guard and blare Of horn, amid the
hansoms and fourwheelens Of Cabdom,
private carriages and the ever eXuberant
motors.
The coach is public one, but It is not
easy 20 get seats unless booked well In
advance. The Venture, driven TO the races
last fpHnE and fall by A. G, Vanderbilt and
coIspicuOus for Its gray teams, will be on
the road 10 belmont Park throughout the
meeting. Possibly Robert l.. Gerry may
also run road coach to the races-the plans
are not yet settled-and there are sure to
betwo or three more, driven by professional
Whips.
Anumber Of amateurs have also arranged
70 20 70 Belmont Park each day with their
and ". NV. Hoffman, taking a lead OF
guests each race day There are diverse
opinions as to the best route 20 the course
from town. The Venture and probably
,ne other coaches running from the Fifth
avenue hotels will cross the East River,
BY the Thirt y-fouth street ferry, but Mr.,
Hoffman intends to cross by the Ninety
second street ferry TO Flushing and drive
across the country TO Queens. There are good
roads throughout on the latter route. The
Coaching Club has twice driven 20 Hemp
stead on It's Epring outings, the members
being the guests Of August Belmont In 1890,
and Of Charles Carroll In 1892, on both trips
'rossing by the uptown ferry, 40 this u
m indication that Il is the best to take in
starting for Queers.
Why mlllionaires should take delight In
initiating the old fashioned business coach
ing is not always apparent TO the outsiders.
The reason Is that to run a public coach
as il should be done, not as a hotel adver-
'isement, or to earn easy money, IL the
crucial test Of driving skill. On this ao-
count many amateurs try the feat for
season or two and they find theSexperience
!s real benefit. Delaney A. Kane, before
Introducing road coaching here in 1873,
drove the Virginia Water coach from Lon
don for a season and an experience in Eng
and at coaching is always help TO one
who II taking up the sport. II member
gfthe Coaching Club, the way Is made easier,
Tor the applicant may gain admission TO the
committee to drive the clubs coach, the
Pioneer, and learn to send team down
he road under the membership Of the lead
ing amateur whip. Reginald w. Riyes.
Here j. en- exact dehnition Of the fas-
ClnatjOn a road coaching, as written by
Eairrnan Rogers, the Philadelphian, in his
hook 1t bars muoh the same relation
% taking an afternoon drive at ones
orchestra bears % practising solos at home.
In fact, a coachman never detects how
little he knows until he undertakes TO drive
fast road Crach, OF a musician until he
rtes his hand in concerted pieces
Tho road coach Is somewhat heavier than
The Park Coach and the harness and trap
ping, less elegant, one being the repro
iuclion q a business vehicle, the fast
nail and the other the most elegant OF
cerrGE,s for individual driving, A diff
ftr'nc" 10 be noted by any novice i that
he drag iprivate COACH has rumble 70
hold tut the two grooms and IL is supported
y open irons, while tho road coach rumble
Hc'mmodious and held up by solid wooden
lcncl.
One Of the most successful road coaches
" The past two seasons, the Squadron, which
ran thrre times a week TO the polo matches
u Squadron A at Van COrtlandt Park
'tom tia Plaza Hotel, a committee Of the
amateur cavalrymsn doing the driving, l. 10
oe revived this season with the start Of polo
m a Erandcr scale than ever. An entirely
new cpach has been built and il will be sup
liemonted on special days by bringing out
he old Squadron coach also.
An entirely new venture will be a pub
~ coach TO the Whippany River Count y
Cub, at MoTTistown. which will be on the
ROAD May l. Morris Hewlett has been
over the road twice but the choice Of routes
ana relay stations has not been positively
determined on yet. Benjamin Nicol Is