Identifier: thoughtsuponspor00sarg (find matches)
Title: Thoughts upon sport : a work dealing shortly with each branch of sport ... : to which are added, a complete history of the Curraghmore Hunt and memoirs of notable sportsmen
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: Sargent, Harry R
Subjects: Horses Hunting Hunt riding Hunters Curraghmore Hunt
Publisher: London : Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent
Contributing Library: Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine
Digitizing Sponsor: Tufts University

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ently qualified for the task, for he is apractical sportsman, understands steeplechasing thoroughly, not alonetheoretically, but practically, for he rode many a race in the grand arena,and has been for years one of the best men with hounds across Kildare.He is also well endowed with both administrative and executive ability,while no man in Ireland is more popular. All who attend our meetings,whether on business or for pleasure, know what attention they receivefrom that courteous and painstaking gentleman whenever he is calledupon. Since he took office Mr. La Touche has expended over £4,000 enlargingand improving the stands and enclosures. The work has been executedby Messrs. Musgrave of Belfast, under the superintendence of Mr.Robert Waters, who succeeded his father as manager. Mr. La Touche has also laid out the Foxhunters Plate Course, whereit turns to the right before reaching the first brook, and rejoins the old■course at the back of the double in the Herds Garden, thus leaving
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^ r -^ .^i**^A*ii vIX O 157 out the far-off and extreme left portion of the Old Course. This waSdone to obviate the necessity of finishing over the Conyngham in racesof less than four miles, for the big fences in that course were considereddangerous to finish over, as was proved by the severe falls got byMajor Burke and Captain Orr-Ewing a few years ago. The courses at Punchestown are quite natural, as, with few exceptions^,are the fences, and a little trimming is all that distinguishes theexceptions. I have heard people assert that the fences were greatly cutdown within the past twenty years. They never were. The run-home wasaltered and greatly improved some years ago at considerable expense ;the nasty dip near the pond was then filled up, and the run-in, for nearlyquarter of a mile before the winning-post, was made straight and level. The first race for the Conyngham Cup was run in 1865, and was wonby General Election. The line was then over the Old Course. The track now known as th

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