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CHAPTER X. 



TESTS OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



To be an accomplished rider, or at least to be a fair per- 

 former in the saddle, a man should be able to pass the follow- 

 ing tests : — 



1. To ride a difficult horse. 



2. To ride in a steeplechase. 



3. To ride a trotting match. 



4. To ride a flat race. 



5. To be able to break and ride a school horse. 



Riding a difficult horse, when it is only a question of 

 remaining on his back, is simply an affair of strength of seat 

 and pluck. It is sufficient to be a good rider and a bit of a 

 dare-devil. But we require a knowledge of reasoned-out 

 equitation to anticipate and thwart his defences. 



I place steeplechase riding in the second rank, although it 

 requires great strength of seat and pluck. A cross-country 

 jockey has to be a good rider, rather than a good horseman ; 

 but steeplechase riding requires less delicacy of handling and 

 tact than the following tests. 



I think match trotting comes in the third rank as regards 

 judgment and knowledge. It is evident that if the rider of a 

 trotter cannot accurately tell when his horse is at the top of 

 his speed, he will continue to push him, and will make him 

 break into the gallop. But judgment of pace is much more 



