SHOWING SADDLE HORSES 179 



master," who will command you on entering at once 

 to walk in single file. Nod pleasant acquiescence to 

 him and continue on your way, as you may deem most 

 advisable. You may rest assured that the "old hands" 

 at the game are not likely to be overawed by the ring- 

 master, so that if you alone obey him and try to enter 

 at a walk when your horse is still far from steady, you 

 may so upset the animal, that he will be at a disad- 

 vantage throughout the rest of the class. 



When you see that all the entries have come in the 

 ring, the gate is closed and business of the day has 

 begun, pull your horse into a flat-footed walk, and if 

 he has been properly broken, let him walk quietly 

 with head loose, but without sprawling. Never slow 

 up your horse's walk merely to keep in single file at 

 the order of the ringmaster, for, if your mount is fast 

 enough to pass his competitors on a flat-footed walk, 

 it is to his advantage to do so, and to do so, if possible, 

 directly under the judges' eyes. In order to bring your 

 horse as much to the fore as possible, always take the 

 inside circle of the ring. Never allow yourself to be 

 "blanketed," that is hidden from the judges' view by 

 some other horse walking between you and the judges, 

 and while looking out that no one plays this trick on 

 you, be equally careful never to play it on any one 

 else. Cut the corners of the ring a bit, and particularly 

 that end of the ring at which the judges are not stand- 

 ing, but don't practise it too "markedly," or your 

 friend the ringmaster will call you down in a sententious 

 voice. 



When the command "trot" is given, gather your 

 reins gently and set your horse at the pace at which 

 he trots best, just as fast and no faster than he can go 

 collectedly, irrespective of what your neighbors may 



