THE RIDING 229 



who begin young have a distinct advantage, but 

 any man under thirty with good nerve may 

 learn to ride tolerably well and follow hounds 

 over a country. If a man wishes to improve 

 himself as a horseman, let him ride as many 

 different horses as possible. 



The three best all-round horsemen that I 

 have seen are Lord Lonsdale, Mr. Cecil Chaplin, 

 and Tom Firr. All three have different styles 

 of riding, but beside their horsemanship, they 

 all have the knack of getting the shortest way 

 to hounds. They are quick to find their way to 

 the front rank without distressing their horses, 

 and once there are not easily shaken off. 



The qualities that go to make a first-class 

 man to hounds are those which are necessary in 

 the character of a successful soldier. He must 

 have determination, quickness of decision, 

 courage, and an eye that takes in the whole 

 situation at a glance. However, it is only the 

 few who are endowed with these exceptional 

 gifts, and we cannot all hope to attain to such 

 excellence ; but any man may ride a run in a 

 foremost position, if he is attentive at the covert- 

 side and thus secures a good start. If possible, 



