VAULTING AND GAMES. 293 



whilst the horses are jumping a small fence, and also ride 

 over jumps without reins and with arms folded. 



As many games as can be thought of are introduced, such 

 as in and out races, ball and bucket race, taking a ball off a 

 low post with the hand at a gallop, etc. In the ball game, 

 with four a side, a small-sized football is used. This game is 

 started by throwing up the ball in the centre of the school, 

 where the men sit on their horses, all eager to catch it, and 

 gallop off to the goal. Much fun and excitement is caused in 

 trying to get the ball from each other, and when it falls to the 

 ground there is a regular scramble to jump off the horses and 

 pick it up, and the one who gets it first throws it to one of his 

 own side who is mounted, and away they go. This game 

 gives the men a chance of showing their skill in mounting and 

 dismounting quickly, and also teaches the horses to stand still 

 unattended. 



Push-ball is another game we sometimes play, when the 

 horses push the ball into a goal, the riders not being allowed 

 to touch it. The intelligence of the horse is brought out more 

 in this game than in any other I have seen. The ball is five 

 feet in diameter, and the horses seem to thoroughly enjoy the 

 sport of following it, after a little practice. This game was 

 originally played in America on foot, but I introduced it into 

 England as a mounted game, when it was played by six men 

 of the Royal Horse Guards at the Royal Military Tourna- 

 ment, where it caused a great sensation. It was afterwards 

 taken up by all the cavalry regiments. 



I am sure that this sort of recreation is of great benefit to 

 the men ; for when taking part in the games their features 

 relax from the usual stolid military expression, and they try 

 to put their whole heart into it. They thus also acquire a 

 strong seat and a good balance without thinking about it, 

 and the ordinary riding with a saddle afterwards is taken 

 with ease and confidence. 



