Leaping. 147 



standing leap, which is practised first, the horse 

 takes from the halt, close to the bar. The flying 

 leap is taken from any pace, and is easier than the 

 standing leap, although the latter is considered the 



safer of the two to begin with ; as, from the steadi- 

 ness with which it is made by a trained horse, the 

 master or assistant can aid the pupil at the slight- 

 est appearance of danger. 



The position of the rider is to be governed in this, 

 as in all other cases, by the action of the horse. No 

 weight is to be borne on the stirrup ; for, in fact, 

 pressure on the stirrup will tend to raise the body, 

 rather than keep it close to the saddle. The legs 

 — particularly the right one — must be pressed 

 closely against the saddle, and the reins yielded to 



