44 THE TEST OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



disposed to think that the less the influence of the 

 hunting-field is felt, the better it is for the art of 

 horsemanship. Not, be it understood, that I think 

 there is anything in cross-country riding per se (a 

 manly and an invigorating sport) that is incom- 

 patible with the best horsemanship, but because as 

 soon as a man can ride a horse in a gallop over a 

 hedge, he thinks that there is nothing left in the 

 art for him to learn, and so, through the hunting- 

 field, managing a horse is falling into neglect. 



Leaping is practised much more upon the Con- 

 tinent than is usually admitted in England, not 

 only in steeple-chases and in hunting, but the 

 cavalry soldiers are trained to ride across country, 

 and to take such obstacles as present themselves ; 

 but these riders are first taught to manage their 

 horses properly, and jumping is but an incident in, 

 not the whole end of, horsemanship. 



It is the common remark of foreigners that the 

 women of England ride much better than the men, 

 and this is, without doubt, owing to the fact that 

 women as a rule are instructed in riding. With 

 such teachers as Mr. Fred. Allen and Mr. Edwin 

 Axtens, who have no superiors in Europe in impart- 

 ing the proper method of obtaining a seat in the side- 

 saddle, it is not surprising that in the Row may be 

 seen women who ride marvellously well. But \heir 



