1 66 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



CHAPTER XV. 



FALLING. 



To be able to fall well is an art in itself— but it is one at 

 which, unfortunately, very few ladies excel ; therefore, not 

 to fall at all will in their case be much better than to do 

 so in even the most artistic fashion. 



At the same time to dispense with falls must in a measure 

 mean to dispense with riding also — that is, with riding 

 straight to hounds ; and as this latter enjoyment is, to a 

 keen sportswoman, the very greatest pleasure that earth can 

 possibly afford, I cannot wish to see any of my readers 

 deprived of it, and have therefore determined to devote this 

 chapter to the subject of various kinds of falls — the circum- 

 stances under which they generally happen, the way to 

 avoid meeting them, and the best method of escaping being 

 injured by them when they chance to occur. 



To escape falls will to many ladies be the most interesting 

 portion of my subject ; therefore, we will consider it first. 



To begin, then : you should decline riding any save the 

 most perfect horses. A rusher, refuser, runaway, or any- 

 thing else associated with the vices which have already been 

 treated of, should be at once put beyond the pale of your 

 favour ; nothing short of positive perfection should ever 



