9 2 



It is therefore necessary that the beginner should know why sys- 

 tematic and thorough proceeding is preferable to superficiality and 

 haste and also why this is more especially important while the 

 rudiments are being discussed and practiced. 



The position of a "woman on horseback is of a nature, to show more 

 perhaps, than any other, the great advantages which make her the 

 masterpiece of creation, and it lies in the nature of horsemanship that 

 the carriage of the rider should be commanding. The very position of 

 a women in the saddle either betrays timidity and helplessness or it 

 suggests at once the fact, that she is capable of controlling her horse. 



The aim of parents, husbands, and guardians, as well as of the 

 beginner herself should be, that she may become sufficiently advanced, 

 to be able to act on the impulse of the moment and instinctively upon 

 her horse in such a way as to insure her comfort and safety under all 

 circumstances and if possible, without resorting to the assistance of 

 other persons. 



To make this possible, she must not only hear and remember, but 

 thoroughly analyze and comprehend the causes and effects the reasons 

 why, and the practical value of the means which are at her command to 

 influence the horse and cause the latter to obey. 



MOUNTING. 



A womans horse, when saddled, bridled and ready for mounting 

 should if possible be held at the head by the groom and the woman may 

 then stand by the left side of the horse near the saddle flap, facing the 

 horses head and place her right hand upon the pommel or upper horn of 

 the saddle; the whip or crop is also to be carried in the right- hand and 

 pointed downward on the right side of the saddle. The left arm of the 

 woman hangs leisurely by her side. 



The assistant or teacher stands opposite the rider so closely that his 

 left hand may be placed under the womans left foot ■when the latter is 

 raised from the ground about a foot and a half, by bending the left knee. 

 The assistants right hand is placed under the womans left armpit. 



For the mounting of beginners it will be commendable to count "one, 

 two, three" and when three is spoken, the woman will lightly spring 

 from the right foot and ankle and rigidly straighten the left knee, thus 

 giving the assistant an opportunity to raise her to the level or a little 

 above the seat of the saddle and then turning slightly to the left, the 

 rider will take her seat. 



Next a womans right leg is assisted over the right horn by being 

 supported with the escort's right hand under the foot while the left hand 

 arranges the skirt to fit over the knee in the cut intended therefor and 

 helping the skirt under the knee to fit smoothly over the pommel and 

 leaping horn. 



The stirrup is then placed under the left foot and by assisting the rider 

 with the left hand under the left elbow to rise in the saddle, the skirt 

 under the seat is pulled into position. 



There are other methods of assisting a woman into the saddle; one of 

 which consists of the woman placing her left foot into the folded hands 



