86 



Lecture VII. 



CLUB RIDING. 



One of the many -ways of enjoying' practical horsemanship, particu- 

 larly during 1 the winter season when temperature and condition of 

 roads make outdoor riding an impossibility is the riding in clubs and 

 to music. 



As a rule the prime motive for organizing these clubs is the desire 

 to give variety to the form of social grtherings in general in connection 

 with, of course more or less real or imaginary love for horsemanship. 



Sometimes a number of advanced riders are the originators of the 

 idea and to facilitate the payment of dues and expenses of the club as 

 well as from social considerations, friends are requested to 30m in the 

 exercises regardless of talent or ability. 



The desire of all these social organizations is to show their friends 

 who visit the galleries of our Academies a certain degree of proficiency 

 in the management of the horses consisting of a series of evolutions 

 commonly called figures executed to the accompaniment of music, under 

 the command of the Riding ivlaster. 



Those of the members who have attended dancing schools know 

 that great precision, is necessary in performing ordinary square dances, 

 even on foot and will understand how much more their attention and 

 skill is taxed where tournaments even of a simple kind are executed on 

 horseback. 



The mere pulling about of horses in turns of various descriptions 

 is not only imperfect and unsightly to the onlooker butinvolves danger 

 to both horse and rider as well as to the other participants in the 

 manoeuvre. 



Like children who do not know of the destructive powers of the 

 elements with "which they trifle, beginners who have no previous 

 acquaintance with horses do not realize the peril of ignorance and 

 carelessness on one side any more than they appreciate on the other 

 hand the delight and pleasures derived from knowledge and capability. 

 The duration of a season for the ring-rides of these Clubs comprise ten 

 or twenty -weeks or ten or twenty practical lessons at one evening in 

 each week. 



Considering the part of the hour -which must be given up to rest 

 and conversation the time appropriated for the achievement of the 

 desired result is narrowed down to such an extent that only the united 

 efforts of Pupils and Instructor can lead to success. 



Most of these club riders if judged from the standpoint of a pro- 

 fessional critic leave a great deal to be desired and unless social meeting 

 and mutual entertainment -without any regard for horsemanship are 

 all these Club rides are expected to offer the members, I fail to see how 

 the mere fact of fast riding and becoming heated can at length satisfy 

 and give enjoyment to a club of intelligent men and women. 



Tournaments, quadrilles, manoeuvres and evolutions which make up- 

 on every rider a demand of individual good horsemanship such as they 

 have been and may now be seen from time to time in Europe, have 



