146 History of the Company. 



horses. Again, the saddle was to be made in 

 such a way that the trees or panels could be easily 

 altered or repaired ; the intention being to reduce 

 the weight on the horse's back, the present 

 British regulation saddle, according to the authori- 

 ties at the Horse Guards, being too heavy, and 

 the hind fork, which is made to carry a heavy 

 tightly packed valise, being higher than neces- 

 sary. It was also stated that there was an 

 intention that the total weight to be usually 

 carried in marching order should be reduced to 

 i6st. 10 lb., but the saddle was to be sufficiently 

 strong to carry extra weight. In awarding the 

 premiums the following points were considered — 

 lightness, strength, durability ; general fitting 

 for broad, ordinary, and narrow backs ; venti- 

 lation for the horse's back ; simplicity; dimen- 

 sions of the rider's seat ; cheapness, and easy 

 fitting to the horse's back. 



For the guidance of competitors, military 

 saddles from Germany, France, Belgium, and 

 America were exhibited, but the competition was 

 not productive of any improvement in the present 

 English military saddle. The saddles were tested 

 by the Military Authorities, but no award was 

 made. 



In the following year, however, the Company 



Second Saddler ^g^^ii^ offered a pHze of 50 guineas, 

 Competition which was Supplemented by one of 

 100 guineas, offered by Mr. Deputy 

 Harris, the Master of the Company. The con- 

 ditions were much the same as in the previous 



