CHAPTER X 

 The Riding 



THERE is no better place than the hunting-field 

 to learn the art of horsemanship, yet in a crowd 

 of three hundred at the covert -side you can 

 generally count on the fingers of one hand those 

 that are really first-class. One excels in hands, 

 and another in his seat, whilst a third has the 

 power of making his horse do exactly what is 

 required of him, but the man who combines 

 everything is very rare. The majority of men 

 do not acquire the art until late in life, when 

 loss of nerve renders them unable to enjoy the 

 benefits of their knowledge. 



Good nerve is the most essential requisite in 

 riding to hounds. Therefore, if you wish to 

 enjoy yourself, take every possible precaution 

 to preserve your nerve, and do not imagine 



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