124 RING-RIDING. 



TANDEM RIDING. 



No doubt most people know what " tandem riding " is ; 

 but, for the sake of those who do not, I will explain that it is 

 riding one horse while driving another. 



Except in high-school riding, tandem should not be rid- 

 den by less than four riders. Naturally, the more riders 

 that can take part, the better will be the appearance and 

 effect ; the number that can take part is only limited by the 

 size of the ring. 



All the simple and most of the more complicated move- 

 ments can be ridden in tandem, and the effect and ensemble 

 of figures ridden by eight or twelve riders are very beauti- 

 ful and effective. In riding with only four riders, the move- 

 ments not being as susceptible of variation as with eight or 

 twelve riders, the various figures are ridden at first in a trot, 

 and then the same or different figures in a gallop. 



The requirements for successful tandem riding are a cool 

 head, a good seat in the saddle, a well-trained saddle-horse, 

 and a leader that goes well against the bit without pulling, 

 and will drive wherever wanted without any swerving. 



The whip should be used without snapping it when in 

 line, and even in single file it should only be used to touch 

 up the leader when necessary. It should be held at an angle 

 of about forty-five degrees and slightly inclined to the left 

 side, about over the left ear of the saddle-horse. 



In Plates 139 and 140 are given an example of a tandem 

 figure for eight riders, that was ridden with great success by 

 the New York Riding Club at one of its annual finish rides, 

 the club receiving and deserving great applause for the fine 

 execution of the different movements, 



Plates 141 and 142 give an example of a figure for twelve 

 riders. Tliis was also ridden by the same club, but with a 

 repetition of some of the movements and a few extra move- 

 ments, which have been left out on account of space. This 

 also received and merited great applause. 



