National Velvet (38 page)

W
ITH
reference to
Chapter Thirteen
the race in this book is run earlier than 1931.

    
Before that date it was not necessary for a horse to have distinguished itself

“by being placed first, second, or third (by the Judge) in a steeplechase of three miles and upwards value 200 sovs. to the winner”—

and for all I can find in the Rules a zebra could have entered, provided he was the proper age.

    
As regards the objection which was lodged after The Piebald passed the post, I don't think this objection would eventually have been sustained on the ground of “dismounting before reaching the unsaddling enclosure' ' alone. The fact of the rider's sex of course disqualified her. But the contention that the objection would immediately have been lodged is based upon Rule 144 of the National Hunt Rules.

    
“144. If a rider do not present himself to be weighed in, or dismount before reaching the place appointed for that purpose, or touch (except accidentally) any person or thing other than his own equipments before weighing in, his horse is disqualified, unless he can satisfy the Stewards that he was justified by extraordinary circumstances.”

    
The drawings throughout have been done by my daughter Laurian, who is thirteen years old.

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