SHOWING SADDLE HORSES 183 



I have judged just a wee bit myself, and know that 

 in many cases it is nip and tuck between two horses, 

 and the animal who makes the best final impression 

 wins out. Therefore, in leading the horse out, throw 

 the reins over his head, make him stand quite squarely, 

 and try to keep him alert with pricked ears by at- 

 tracting his attention. Above all, hold him yourself 

 and don't hand him over to some indifferent groom 

 who may let him sprawl or slouch. 



After this final inspection, it is usually all over but 

 the "shouting," and there is nothing more to do but 

 saddle up and wait decisions. If you win, for heaven's 

 sake look pleasant and don't acquire the blase* look so 

 many of our parvenu exhibitors affect in order to pre- 

 tend they are so used to it all that it doesn't really 

 matter; if you lose, lose gracefully and don't begin 

 long yarns of excuses, or, worse yet, start kicking at the 

 judges and accuse them of partiality. In nine cases 

 out of ten the best horse has won. 



Horse showing is a game, not a business, and the 

 fun of it should consist not in the actual number of 

 ribbons won, but in the joy of competition, the pleasure 

 of riding good-looking horses, and the company of other 

 horse lovers. The motto of every exhibitor of horses 

 should be: 



"Not the quarry but the chase, 

 Not the laurel but the race, 

 Not the hazard but the play, 

 Let me enjoy alway." 



