This is one of the many decorations in the Book of Kells (c. AD700) showing horsemen, clearly not warriors, riding bareback but with bits and bridles. This continued to be the Irish method for centuries; after the Anglo-Norman invasion the English were forbidden by law to ride in the improper Irish fashion. The Irish also mounted on the wrong side of the horse. Ridden horses were in this period raced on the Curragh, but it is clear from the Brehon Laws that there were still chariot-races in other parts of Ireland. The History of Horse Racing by Roger Longrigg, page 21. *** Local Caption ***