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Page 10 · column 2 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
declaring that something should really be done about the Thoroughbreds, as “the large infusion of the Sir Archie blood into the racing stock ofVirginia made sad work of saddle horses; the Eclipse cross, as in Boston, made matters still worse; and the blood horse now is considered unfit to ride. Then the introduction in buggies, and the love of fast trotters as nearly complete ruin.”
Now here’s a question, and maybe our readers can volunteer an answer. The first riding horses imported to Virginia back in about 1609 were pacers. Trotting horses were relegated to the post boys that delivered the mail — hence the term posting trot — and the Thoroughbred breed had not yet been solidified or even dreamed up, come to think of it. So was it the aforenamed Virginia lines, all of which were hugely influential in the early history of the turf, that bred out the smooth-gaited pace?
A much more complimentary 1859 Planter article gave credence to this notion:
“For many years past, much attention has been bestowed on breeding horses for the saddle, and such a commingling of pure riding blood [as was in Virginia) was never known in any other country. Hiatoga, Robroy, Saltram, Tom, and Telegraph hold place in affection of the people, and each is a highly esteemed by his friends. A very interesting confirmation of the
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