IN THE BIDING-SCHOOL. 29 



certain guide, but in small rings the rule is to 

 keep to the wall when trotting, so as to improve 

 every foot of space, and to walk about six feet 

 from the wall, not in a circle, but describing a 

 rectangle. New pupils are always taught to 

 turn to the right, and to make all their move- 

 ments in that direction. Hold your thumbs 

 firmly in place, and draw your right hand a 

 very little upward and inward, touching your 

 whip lightly to the horse's right side, and turn- 

 ing your face and leaning your body slightly 

 to the right. 



The instant that the corner is turned drop 

 your hand, keeping the thumb in place, square 

 your shoulders, look straight between your 

 horse's ears, and then allow your eyes to range 

 upward as far as possible without losing sight 

 of him altogether. No matter what is going on 

 about you. Very likely, the criticising mamma 

 on the mounting-stand is scolding sharply about 

 nothing. Possibly, a dear little boy is fairly fly- 

 ing about the ring on a pony that seems to have 

 cantered out of a fairy tale, and a marvel- 

 lously graceful girl, whom you envy with your 

 whole soul, is doing pirouettes in the centre 

 of the ring. 



