154 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP 



the owners don't care to risk them in the hunting 

 field. But that does not alter the position. It is 

 just the same as a prize fruit, which is too good 

 to be eaten. It is mainly displayed as an example 

 of what can be done in fruit-growing, and for 

 the benefit of those who are growing fruit for the 

 market. 



No one lifts the finger of scorn at those prize 

 winners, but, on the contrary, show gratitude to 

 them for the lessons that have been learnt from 

 their efforts. So it should be with horses. No 

 one expects to be able to train their hunters to 

 the same standard as that attained by a prize 

 show^-jumper. But by seeing what can be done by 

 those who devote their whole time to that particular 

 branch of horsemanship, much can be learnt by 

 the riding public. And if these lessons are applied, 

 as far as possible, on their return to the hunting 

 field, there is, I think, but little doubt that the 

 standard of riding would be greatly improved 

 throughout the length and breadth of the coimtry. 



LoXG-DlSTANCE RiDIXG 



This is a subject which hardly applies in this 

 country, and on the Continent these competitions 

 which used to be carried out have ceased to a 

 very great extent. But although few people want 

 to ride horses to such extremes, the principles of 

 long-distance riding may often come in, when, for 

 example, riding a tired horse home after a long 

 day's hunting. I have already dwelt with the 



