A MODEL RIDING-SCHOOL. 57 



The school is open from an early hour in the 

 morning until nine o'clock in the evening, the hour 

 from eleven to twelve being reserved for ladies, but 

 ladies can and do ride at any time. 



As far as is possible, the pupils are kept in the 

 classes best suited to their proficiency, for as soon 

 as the beginner has acquired the rudiments of the 

 art, he or she is put to ' figure-riding ' as the best 

 means of giving a knowledge of the use of the 

 aids. In the junior classes these figures are easy 

 and simple, but they prevent the lesson becoming 

 monotonous. As the pupils advance in skill, the 

 figures become more complex, and many of them 

 — demanding the ' travers,' the ' voltes,' and other 

 school movements — are performed at the gallop. 

 I have seen a class of twelve ladies go through a 

 complicated quadrille, in the trot and in the gallop, 

 with a precision that proved great skill in each 

 rider. 



The advanced ' classes,' and the clubs that are 

 formed in the school, often ride their quadrilles to 

 the music of a band, the airs being selected to be 

 in cadence with the pace in which each figure is 

 performed. These musical rides are very effective, 

 and give much pleasure to the pupils and to their 

 friends who come to look on. The principal asso- 

 ciation that has had its origin in the manage of Herr 



