The Washington herald., 1906-12-04
sTEEpLECHAs1NG IN ARMY.
Omcers Unable 10 Engage In spOri
on Account of Expense.

on Account Va ia REA1ts
From the New YORK Sun.
As a nursery for army steeplechase
Jockeys the two meetings Of the United
Hunts Racing Association must be pro-
nouneed complete failures. Indeed, tn
Judge strictly By the results. the one sol
der who goes in for amateur race rid
ine is Lieut.. Martin, of the Fifteenth Cav
airy. who came from Fort Ethan Allen in
Vermont last fan to ride a losing mount
in the grand military steeplechase' Of
the United Hunts meeting at Morris Park.
He had the sporting pluck TO journey from
Cuba to ride I'm the same race at the re-
cent United Hunts meeting at Washing
ton Lieut. Martin lost again, but on the
closing day he won an open military race
from the only other starter. ridden by a
Baltimore militia cavalryman. The United
Hunts committee has been earnest In mis-
siOnary work and generous In prizes. but
the army has practically turned a cold
shoulder 10 all temptations 10 join in stee-
plechases.
in a letter to the president Of the United
Hunts Racing Association, sent some time
prior TO the Washington meeting. Gen.
j. +. Bell, Chief Of Staff. said it would
give him pleasure 10 encourage military
steeplechases in our service, and he added
a terse expression of the difficulties in the
way. Unfortunately" the letter con-
tinUed, there are not many horses owned
in the American army which would make
a very good showing, nor have American
officers, as a rule, sufficient means 10 en-
gage in racing.
This applies with equal truth to army
steeplechasing in Great Britain since the
SYSTEM Of competitive examinations has
broken uO the aristocratic and sporting
excIusiveness that formerly distinguished
some Of the cavalry regiments Polo. a
more healthy, cleaner, and less costly
sport, is now more IN favor as an army
recreation in Great Britain than race rid
ing. Polo has a firm footing at West
Point, and at several Of our army posts,
although hampered by the inability Of our
service 70 obtain the fastest ponies. If
our officers may not buy fast ponies what
chance have they to purchase sJeeple-
chase racers? On the continent race rid
ing is a sport for the rich officers: il is
not encouraged In the army regulations.
Many American young men of wealth
who abroad might be found riding races
in uniforms, are here jealous members Of
our militia cavalry. At the Norris Park
meeting Squadron a and Squadron c ha-
several entries in the military steeple-
chases. Squadron A. through the fine rid
ing of Sergt. FrOmcnt. has won the only
two grand military steeplechases" as Yet
decided. At Morris Park he rode his own
thoroughbred New Zealander. and al
Washington a fellow troopers horse, Vir-
ginian. Sergt. Froment remOunted after q
fall and rode the last mile with a broken
collarbone. winning from Lieut.. Martin
on Humming Bird. who had a lead at one
time of an eighth of a milo. Squadron c
had no riders to undertake the journey
from Brooklyn to Benning, but in view Of
its good support of the convenient Morris
Park meeting this may be excused. But
where were the entries from Squadron "A
Of Baltimore. and the First Philadelphia
troop? They can not advance the plea OF
the regulars that racing costs too much
Undoubtedly. TIE United Hunts should
continue the military SteeDlechases. foI
although the army may not be expected tC
give "a very hearty support to them. 1t is
good thing 90 foster a rivalry in eveTy
sort Of hoTsemanship between the militia
cavalrymen Of the different cities As tC
the utility Of horsewanshiD in war. the
Spanish war possibly marked the last ex-
ploitation Of riders as a force worthy OF
consideration. Officers OF to-day have
more need TO study the capabilities Of the
motor cycle and motor car in war, not 10
mention aerOstatics. than 10 pay more at
tentiOn 20 hOrsemanshi9.