RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



One of the finest pieces of riding I ever 

 witnessed was In a steeplechase held at Melton, 

 as long ago as the year 1864, when, happening 

 to stand near the brook, eighteen feet of water ^ I 

 observed my friend Captain Coventry come down 

 at it. Choosing sound ground and a clear place, 

 for it was already beginning to fill with numerous 

 competitors, he set his horse going, at about a 

 hundred yards from the brink, in the most 

 masterly manner, increasing the pace resolutely 

 but gradually, so as not to flurry or cause the 

 animal to change his leg, nearly to full speed 

 before he took off. I could not have believed it 

 possible to make a horse go so fast in so collected 

 a form ; but with the rider's strength in the 

 saddle, and perfectly skilful hands, he accom- 

 plished the feat, and got well over, I need hardly 

 say, in his stride. 



But, although a fine " bridle-hand," as it is 

 called, proves of such advantage to the horseman 

 in the hurry-skurry of a steeplechase or a very 

 quick thing with hounds, its niceties come more 

 readily under the notice of an observer on the 

 road than in the field. Perhaps the Ride in 

 Hyde Park is the place of all others where this 

 quality is most appreciated, and, shall we add? 

 most rarely to be found. A perfect Park hack, 

 that can walk or canter five miles an hour, no 

 light criterion of action and balance, should also 



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