THE HORSEMAN. 



89 



knocked about, the rider should commence the movement 

 at a walk and exert the strength of the arm alone in 

 making the cuts and points, lest he derange his own po- 

 sition in the saddle, and swerve the horse from the track. 



While running at the heads and rings,* the principles 

 of the gallop must be observed. 



As the cuts and points are made oftener and with 

 more effect on the right side of the horse, the posts 

 should be placed on that side. 



The rider may, however, change hands, making the 

 cuts and points on the left side of the horse ; and to vary 

 the practice still more, he should place the posts in two 

 rows on either side of the track, and cut and point at the 

 first ball on the right, the next on the left, and so on ; 

 the distance from post to post being great enough to al- 

 low the rider time to prepare for the next cut or point, 

 and to guide his horse. 



After the rider has become expert at this practice, the 

 balls should be placed on shorter posts or blocks, and 

 finally on the ground {See Plate XXIH.), cutting and 

 pointing at dLfull gallop. ^ 



* This practice can also be done with the lance. 



f The body should be inclined forward and over the horse's 

 right shoulder, the rider maintaining his seat by closing or 

 clinging with the calves of the legs, and not trusting to the right 

 stirrup for support. He may, when obliged to stoop very low' 

 sustain himself with the left wrist against the pommel of the sad- 

 dle, giving great attention, however, to the bridle hand, lest, by 

 the inclination of the body, the horse is caused to deviate from 

 the true direction. 



