78 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



the same dashing pace (which, by the way, with her wonderful nerve 

 and confidence, made it easier for her), she sat in the saddle, 

 as the old groom who tended the hurdles said, "as if she had' 

 o^rown there," and landed fair and true without jolt or concussion. 



This young lady is now one of the most brilliant horsewomen in 

 England. Her genius (if I may be permitted the expression), 

 joined to close application and the best of opportunities of riding 

 good horses, enabled her in a brief space to far outstrip all her 

 youthful competitors, and in less than twelve months after the time 

 1 speak of she could execute most of the "bending lesson," at a 

 canter as well as a professional rider, while over the country with 

 hounds she was always close to her pilot, than whom there was no 

 better man. This when she was barely thirteen years old. 



Such instances of extraordinary aptitude, nerve and courage, 

 combined with the necessary elasticity and physical power to ride, 

 are very rare indeed ; in fact, in a long experience of such matters, 

 I do not know of a parallel case. Nevertheless, if the natural dash 

 and fitness for riding possessed by this young lady had not been 

 •carefully watched, moulded into proper form, and restrained within 

 due bounds, they would inevitably have run riot with her, and 

 brought her to grief. It is in such cases as the above, or rather 

 such as tend in that direction, that the tact and judgment of a 

 riding master is required. If the young lady I speak of had been 

 allowed, and the of>portunity had offered, she would have mounted 

 without hesitation any brute that would carry a saddle, and mischief, 

 •of course, would have resulted. 



To return to the cantering lesson proper. When the instructor 

 has succeeded in completely regulating the cadence of the horse in 

 his pace and the position of his pupil, he should give her due caution 

 to wait for the last sound of his word, to keep her body back and 

 her leg close, supporting the horse well with the outward rein, and 

 he should then give the word, well drawn out, gently and without 

 hurry, "right turn," when the pupil should turn her horse from the 

 boards with the same aids as at a walk, but more firmly applied, 

 and if the horse leans upon her hand she should keep him up with 

 her spur. 



