658 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



fulness and posture, and the perfect management of the horse, and that 

 boldness, as applied to female accomplishments, never could imply that 

 approach to recklessness which endangers either life or limb. 



After the president had concluded, Captain Huyett, corresponding secre- 

 tary, called the roll of competitors, as designated by their ribbons. All 

 being present, the chairman of the committee announced the following as 

 the regulations to be observed on the occasion: 



1st. Ladies will ride in the order which their names are registered upon 

 the books of the secretary. 



2d. Each lady, as called in order of her number, and 'accompanied by 

 her cavalier, will ride once around the circle, when the cavalier will retire to 

 the center, keeping within convenient distance of the lady to render any 

 service she may require. 



3rd. Each lady, after the withdrawal of her cavalier, will be entitled to 

 ride four times around the circle at any speed she may choose. After com- 

 pleting the fourth circuit she will retire to the center. 



4th. After the equestrian contest shall have been decided, the ladies 

 accompanied by their respective cavaliers, will have leave to make the cir- 

 cuit of the ring six times at a gait not exceeding that of an easy canter. 



After the reading of the rules, the riding commenced in the following 

 order, the ladies being called by Captain Huyett to take their positions upon 

 the course as they were respectively designated by ribbons: 



No. 1. Barred red ribbon . Miss Minton, of Van Buren county. A fair 

 rider, but unfavorably mounted; her horse rough and somewhat unmanage- 

 able. With a good horse she would have compared favorable with most 

 of her competitors 



No. 2. Broad blue ribbon . Miss Hodges, of Johnson county. A little 

 girl thirteen years of age, and decidedly the lioness of the day and the pet 

 of the people. She was mounted upon a magnificent blood bay, all action, 

 and so full of power and spirit that but few of the best of horsemen would 

 venture to back him; yet under the instinctive tact of a little heroine, he was 

 made to keep the track and guage his gait to suit the rider's pleasure. She 

 gave him little time to conjure tap mischief, but gave him a free rein at the 

 start, and an occasional remembrance from her whip; she brought him so 

 far under the first round that he was contented to drop down for a few 

 moments to a trot, from which at the will of his mistress he rose to a canter, 

 then to a lively charge, and thence to ''his prettiest tricks," which were 

 fearfully swift, but which evidently suited himself and his fearless rider, as 

 well as the whole crowd a great deal better than anything else. Along, 

 loud shout greeted the daring little equestrain as she completed her last 

 round and wheeled with the rapidity of lightnimg from the course. 



No. 3. Pink ribbon. Miss Turner, of Lee county. An easy, self- 

 possessed and graceful rider. She was finely mounted, and showed con- 

 sumate skill in the management of her horse, striking any gait at pleasure. 

 The first round set everybody to thinking and admiring, and each succeed- 

 ing one only added to the interest which its predecessor had excited. Her 

 elegant form, fine face, and soft blue eyes also rather seemed to heighten the 

 efiEect than otherwise. 



No. 4. White ribbon. Miss Parks, of Lee county. A handsome rider, 

 full of courage and well accomplished in the management of the reins and 



