SHOWING SADDLE HORSES 171 



In trotting, never go beyond a collected pace, and 

 only trot your mount for those few moments at a time 

 during which he can keep his trot at its top-most pitch 

 of brilliance. Always stop him and return to a walk 

 before his trot is flagging in snap.* 



Insist that he always break to a canter from a walk 

 or a standstill and never from a trot, and see that he 

 leads on the leg desired. As horses usually go around 

 the show ring to the right, prompt breaking on the 

 off fore leg is absolutely essential. 



Backing nicely must also be included in his accom- 

 plishments. Whenever possible, accustom the show 

 prospect to all sorts of sounds and sights; to motors, 

 music, clapping of hands, waving of flags and crowds 

 of people. One prominent exhibitor hires the village 

 people to come and make a fearful racket, outside the 

 training ring of his stables, while the horses are at 

 work. 



One thing is quite certain, namely, the novice must 

 make up his mind at the start that a show horse can- 

 not be hacked about by the average, indifferent rider, 

 if he is to be kept in show form. To win he must be 

 "hog fat" and just enough above himself to be bril- 

 liant. 



On the other hand, although careless riding will 

 ruin a champion in an astonishingly short time, I do 

 not believe that judicious hacking, between shows and 

 in the off season, by a careful rider, will hurt any show 

 horse, f I myself have ridden "Fairyhill," the Cham- 



* If a horse will not trot he can sometimes be induced to do so by 

 laying one's hand on his crest, or even grasping one ear for a moment. 

 Of course the latter can never be done in the show ring. 



f A suitable place for hacking the show animal must, of course, be 

 selected. Central Park, for example, is no fit place, as it is too hard 

 for cantering, or even trotting. 



