44 Horse and Hound. 



rider (more especially a woman) who acquired 

 practical knowledge of riding when young. 



The easiest and surest way to learn to jump 

 by balance is bareback, without reins or anything 

 in the hands ; in a few lessons one will acquire a 

 correct, firm, close seat that it would take months 

 to obtain in the ordinary way. 



By balance only can the center of gravity be 

 maintained throughout a jump from the take off 

 to the landing. In riding by grip the center of 

 gravity can not be shifted and the weight of 

 rider practically remains at the same point or 

 level. 



The balance seat, aside from being the secur- 

 est and easiest on horse and man, is the most 

 natural, as is proved by bareback boy riders and 

 Indians and cowboys, who are accounted among 

 the best riders in the world. 



That grip riding is much harder upon man 

 than balance riding is evidenced by complaints of 

 the former as to cramps and stiffness after eight 

 or ten hours in the saddle. 



From all accounts of Tom Smith's riding and 

 seat, he undoubtedly rode by balance and not by 

 grip, and while he was much criticised by his 

 English friends for his ''loose seat and inelegant 

 riding," his worst enemy could not but say a bet- 

 ter rider in results never went across country, as 

 his record of 90 foxes in 91 days' hunting has 

 never been equaled. 



