OVER BANK AND TIMBER. 105 



coming away from Nylands, when that part of the 

 country was under water. She went too near 

 before taking off, and just as she rose her hind-leg 

 shpped in, and we both disappeared under water. 

 She was soon out again, and galloped off, dragging 

 me with her, as my habit had caught over the 

 pommel. Luckily for me, Mr Merthyr Guest ran 

 his whip cleverly through her bridle as she passed 

 him, and stopped her just as my habit gave way, 

 and let me down. 



Across the Vale — the greater part of my hunt- 

 ing having been done in the Blackmore Vale — I 

 think the best all-round horse I ever had was the 

 brown mare Countess, and I do not believe there 

 was ever a double made that could stop her. Here 

 I may say a word about my experience in riding 

 over this country. It is well to take a pull at your 

 horse when you approach a fence, as if you collect 

 him and get him well together he can jump better 

 on to the top of a bank, and is more likely to re- 

 cover himself should he make a mistake. Some 

 riders I know prefer to take their fences almost 

 standing ; but to me there is always a dash of 

 tameness about this, and I confess to like riding 

 fast and just steadying my horse as he nears the 

 fence. In taking timber you must be sure to get 

 your horse's legs well under him, as if he comes at 

 it all abroad, you will ver}'' likely experience dis- 

 astrous results. Some horses like jumping a gate 

 in their stride, while others will pull themselves 

 up if ridden too fast, and will buck over. My old 



