THE TEST OF HORSEMANSHIP. 45 



cavaliers do not always show to advantage, for, 

 though they may be firm enough in the saddle, 

 which is not always apparent, a really graceful 

 horseman is the exception even in the height of 

 ' the season,' when the best riders as well as the 

 worst may be supposed to be in the Park. 



I do not wish to have it understood that I am of 

 the belief that there are no good horsemen in 

 England, for such is not the case. I mean to say 

 that thoroughly good riders are rare, and are not 

 confined to any country, and that it is not every one 

 who rides to hounds or airs himself in the Park that 

 can be considered a fine horseman. I may be 

 asked, if such is my opinion of the horsemanship of 

 England, how it is that this country furnishes the 

 best jockeys in the world ; and I shall answer that 

 I do not consider the performances of those men 

 to be riding in any sense of the word. The very 

 slightest knowledge of the bit is required, and none 

 at all of the spur, to put any one with a small appe- 

 tite and a knowledge of pace upon an equality with 

 the most successful jockey. 



Although I have been bold enough to say that 

 there are riders in other countries who can equal 

 those of England, I draw the line there ; for in 

 everything else connected with horses, in their 

 breeding, their rearing, and their care, I believe 



