TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



Mr. Fill is, at whose request I have had the pleasure of 

 translating his Principes de Dressage et d^ Equitation, is 

 acknowledged throughout Europe as the greatest high school 

 rider of all time. In fact, he has had the honour of giving 

 private riding exhibitions before The Emperor and Empress 

 of Germany, The Tsar, President Carnot, The Queen of 

 Belgium, The King and Crown Prince of Denmark, and the 

 Emperor of Austria, all of whom have accorded him special 

 marks of their appreciation of his unrivalled ability. 



Having fortunately had many opportunities of seeing Mr. 

 Fillis ride both in Germany and at the St. Petersburg Cavalry 

 Riding School, where he is Eaiyer en chef, I can full}' 

 endorse the correctness of the good opinion held about him 

 by his most enthusiastic admirers. 



A school rider obtains control and guidance by the com- 

 bined action of hands and legs ; but an ordinary horseman 

 depends almost entirely on the reins for collecting and 

 directing his mount, and consequently his power over the 

 animal is insufficient for military and polo requirements. 

 With extremely few exceptions, school riders abuse their 

 power, and sacrifice freedom of movement to exaggerated 



