46 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



reins from the right hand to the left, and quietly lift her skirt with 

 the right hand until she can easily disengage her right knee from 

 the upper pommels. At the same moment her left foot should be 

 disengaged by the assistant from the stirrup, and her skirt from the 

 near-side pommel or third crutch. The lady should then drop the 

 reins on the horse's neck, and having disengaged her right knee, 

 turn quietly to the left in her saddle, and face the assistant. She 

 should then with both hands take up the slack of her habit until 

 her feet are quite clear of it, otherwise, on alighting she is liable to 

 trip and fall, possibly right into the arms of the assistant, which is 

 not, by any means, according to rule. 



Having gathered up the skirt, the lady should then carry her 

 hands forward about eight or ten inches from her knees, and rest 

 both her hands firmly on those of the assistant, who should raise 

 them up well for the purpose. It remains only then for the lady 

 to glide smoothly down from the saddle, and, slightly supported 

 by the assistant, she will alight easily and gracefully on terra 

 Jirma. Some riding masters have a fashion of taking a lady off 

 her horse by placing both hands on her waist and allowing her to 

 throw her weight forward upon them. Such a practice is outre^ 

 inelegant, and unsafe, because the lady is likely enough to throw 

 more weight forward than the master anticipated, in which case 

 both may come to the ground, to the great discomfiture of the fair 

 equestrian. 



