RIDING FOR WOMEN 



Preserve us from the self-sufficient female who 

 "knows it all/* who "Always rode with popper 

 from the time I could walk." " Popper " prob- 

 ably was one of the vast army whose equine 

 experiences and knowledge of equestrianism were 

 of the vaguest, and as long as Maude neither 

 broke her neck, nor killed anybody else, he was 

 more than satisfied — and had better reasons so 

 to be than probably he appreciated! Anything 

 that is worth doing is worth taking pains to per- 

 form to the best advantage, and to nothing does 

 this so much apply as to feminine equestrianism 

 and the general carriage and attitude. A woman 

 is accepted by the public as a good or bad per- 

 former solely upon her appearance. She may be 

 a perfect horsewoman, but if she looks shiftless, 

 sits carelessly, dresses haphazard, she will never 

 class among the experts as will her smart, neat, 

 correct sister, who cannot really ride at all — but 

 who " looks the part." Riding schools and compe- 

 tent instructors are to be found everywhere now- 

 adays, and no woman has any excuse for appear- 

 ing other than at her very best upon horseback, 

 and nowhere when properly, snugly, and neatly 

 " turned out," does she seem more attractive. 



Proper costume, equipment, and other details 



199 



