142 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



but such, alas ! is not the case. They have 

 been trying " to walk before they could creep/' 

 or, in other words, their lessons in riding have 

 been conducted too hastily. They have begun 

 to try a canter or a rapid gallop before they 

 knew how to sit correctly upon their horses, or 

 even to manage them properly in a walk. This 

 desire to make too rapid progress is more fre- 

 quently the fault of the pupil than of the riding 

 teacher. Most teachers have an ambition to 

 make finished riders of their pupils, and take 

 much pride in doing so, especially as such a re- 

 sult adds greatly to the prestige of their school. 

 This ambition is often defeated, however, by the 

 impatience of the pupils, who are not satisfied 

 to learn slowly and well, but overrule the 

 teacher's objections and undertake to gallop be- 

 fore they have acquired even the first principles 

 of horsewomanship. Moreover, many of these 

 ladies never take any road lessons, so highly 

 important to all who would become thoroughly 

 accomplished in this art; nor do they remain 

 long enough under instruction in the school, 

 but seem to think that a few short lessons are 

 enough to make them finished riders. They 

 often refuse to learn the English trot, although 

 this is a very important accomplishment for the 

 beginner, as it enables her to gain a correct 



