RIDING. 



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CHAPTER I. 



GENERAL VIEW OF RIDING. 



There are several varieties of riding, which are respectively 

 the outcome of circumstances that differ greatly from each 

 other. Thus, in military riding, uniformity of style and 

 control over the animal are the chief objects kept in view. 

 As high school equitation is practically restricted to the 

 manege and circus, its professors have naturally to de- 

 pend for variety on exaggerated movements, the majority 

 of which can seldom if ever be usefully applied in the field 

 or even on the road. Custom and conditions of ground 

 cause Continental horsemen as a rule to ride out of doors 

 in a manner suitable only to the school or the parade 

 ground. English hunting men have during the season a 

 task before them that demands not only a strong seat, fine 

 hands, plenty of pluck, and a good eye for a country, but 

 also a sound knowledge of the galloping and jumping 

 capabilities of their mounts, to say nothing of the necessity 

 of seeing what hounds are doing. Excellence in riding to 

 hounds is therefore judged, not according to conventional 

 ideas as to position and attitude, but from a thoroughly 

 practical point of view ; and the seat most prized, is the 

 one which will enable the horse to carry his burden with 

 the least exertion. A rider in jumping competitions 

 requires special skill in collecting his horse, so as to make 

 him jump " big " and cleverly in a cramped arena in cold 



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