Lessox on Leafixg. 345 



of adventure at home or abroad ; she can put up with a hunter not educated to carry a lady, 

 and she can make her way on horseback if her lot takes her to any of the wild countries of 

 Europe, the back settlements of America, or those essentially horse colonies, Australia and New 

 Zealand. 



The first lessons in leaping should, if possible, be given in a school, and on a full-sizccl 

 horse — one that perfectly understands the business and enjoys it. A sheep-hurdle is quite high 

 enough, and the trunk of a tree is quite wide enough, for the first steps in leaping. Balance, 

 grip of the pommels, and support of the stirrup, must be combined ; the seat as near the centre 

 of the horse's back as the pommels will permit ; the figure erect, not rigid, with the shoulders 

 back, ready to bend gently backwards as the horse rises in the air — not leaning forward, 

 twisted over on the near side, like a popular, spirited, and absurd picture (" First at the 

 Fence"), which really shows "how not to do it;" the snaffle reins held in both hands, at a 

 length that will enable the horse fully to extend himself, and the rider to bear on his mouth 

 as she bends back over his croup when he is landing. All the time her eyes should be looking 

 between the horse's ears, so as to keep perfectly square in the saddle. 



In the first lessons the pupil should not attempt anything but to retain her balance, 

 without requiring or attempting to urge her horse. All the lessons not done at standing leaps 

 should be done at a slow pace ; for it is not the business of a lady to ride at fences like a 

 steeplechase-rider or a lunatic, unless water or something else of an equally exceptional 

 character has to be covered in the hunting field. As a rule, the worst and most nervous 

 riders, male and female, are most apt to gallop wildly at their fences. 



" Vieillc Moustache" sa}-s : — 



" She should take a firm hokl of the upper crutch of the saddle with her right knee, sit well into the saddle 

 — not the back of it, because the farther back the greater the concussion when the horse alights — put her left 

 foot well home in the stuTup, and press her leg — (he must mean thigh) — firmly against the third crutch, while 

 keeping the left knee flexible and the left foot well forward, lean slightly forward, avoid stiff'ciiiii-:; licr waist in 

 order to throw tlic upper part of Iter fii;urc baekward at t/ie rii^lit moment in order to preserve Iter balance. The 

 hands must not move except with the body ; and, above all, no attempt to enliven the horse by jagging his 

 mouth as he is about to rise — a pernicious habit, practised by riders of both sexes who ought to know better. 

 The horse on which a lady leaps should not require violent urging, and only needs to be properly collected before 

 starting. Reins too short, head too forward, and pace too hurried, are the ordinary faults of beginners. Women 

 have on their saddles a firmer seat for leaping than men." 



In this branch of equestrianism practice and sound instruction are the essentials. The 

 occasions when a lady has to gallop at full speed at a wide jump of water or a doubled fence 

 are rare, but to complete the subject the following instructions are quoted from the eminent 

 riding-master already named : — 



" Her elbows should be drawn back until they are three inches or thereabouts behind her waist; her hands below 

 her elbows, six inches apart, grasping the reins divided with the least possible feeling of the curb; the fingers turned 

 inwards and upwards, touching the waist. As the horse is galloping up on the point of springing, the body from 

 the waist should be thrown back, the hands shot forward, held low, thus giving the horse his head as he springs, 

 but supporting him as he lands." 



But after all, words will do very little towards cultivating this very useful and pleasing 

 accomplishment. 



Ponies are much more difficult to ride at leaps than full-sized horses, and well-bred horses 

 are more elastic and pleasant than the cleverest coarse-bred cobs. 



A lady's horse should be carefully exercised oil the days she does not ride. Many serious 

 S 3 



