Without considerable private means, soldiering in England is not conducive to racing, for unless an officer owns horses himself, he is seldom offered mounts, Point-to-Point races, however, offer the same opportunity for good horseman, and it is natural that those who are keen on hunting should wish to prove their skill, and the capabilities of their hunters in competition. The modern point-to-point has now developed into a steeplechase but 30 years ago more than a fast hor: was required to win, and the rider's eye for country was in asset Which was also necessary The st Battalion when quartered in Ireland were very successful, On one occasion at the Duhallow, meeting of 1894, every race was wor by an officer in the regiment, the riders being Mr, Bryan Fairfax, Mr. H., Morant and Captain L. E. C. Elwes. In 1894 a team of six officers of the battalion is recorded as riding a point-to-point race against @ similar team of Fermony Garrison from But-tenant to Fermoy. The earliest record of a' regimental race is, ho ever, in March, 1831. An old newspaper cutting reads as follows: "lst day of March, 1831—There was a sporting steeple chase near Athlone, 4 few days since, between the officers of the 68th Light Infantry, when five horses started for a sweepstakes of £10 each, over a course of: four miles—the owners riding. After an admirably contested race, Mr. Douglas's Biddy Hawks won by a length only." The 2nd Battalion instituted their first regimental point-to-point race in 1902 There are continued notes of such events, the last being just before the regiment left Ireland in 1911, where so many officers had enjoyed first-rate sport with horse and hound. A team of three officers of the regiment won the South of Ireland Military Point-to-point Steeplechase open to military teams in the South of Ireland from a field of eight other teams.
Judging from the illustrations reproduced with this article they had some small cause for satisfaction This year the regiment won the Light Infantry Club Point-to-Point—race. Mention should be made of the many pleasant hunts officers. have had from the depot at Newcastle, in the past, with the Tynedale and Morpeth, but with the growing industrialism this is becoming more and more difficult.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.