162 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



If she desires to be looked upon 

 otherwise than as a nuisance, she must 

 be as unobtrusive and cool-headed as 

 possible, always courteous to and con- 

 siderate of others, patient when waiting 

 for her turn at a narrow place, and not 

 try to take jumps that well -mounted, 

 hard-riding men deem impracticable. 



Women seldom need to be urged 

 on in the hunting-field; they require 



rather to be cautioned and 

 Hard Riding 



restrained. If they are new 



at it, they do not know the dangers to 

 which they are exposed, so go reckless- 

 ly ; if they appreciate the chances they 

 take, they grit their teeth and go des- 

 perately ; if they are timid they never- 

 theless resolve not to be outdone, and, 

 trusting all to their horse, go blindly, 

 even closing their eyes at a critical 

 moment. Therefore hard riding does 

 not prove that a woman has either 



