354 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
In order to keep pace with the very decidedly pro- 
gressive spirit of the age, we give the following articles 
{from some of our Northern exchanges,) on the last new 
“hobby” of the day : 
FEMALE EQITESTEIAEISM, 
The epidemic of female equestrianism is upon us. A Fair 
without female competition in the ring, is no Fair. Encour- 
agement in female riding and driving is very well, but the 
danger to be apprehended grows out of that nationality of 
ours which tends to running every new thing “into the 
/around.” Too often the riding and driving ring at our 
fairs only needs the addition of tan bark and a clown to 
make it an amateur circus. As one advance step in the 
physical education of American women, we are glad to see 
attention directed generally to the healthful and graceful 
eaercise of boys and girls, young men and young women, 
on horseback ; and competition in the ring, although con- 
iiaed to but few directly, will necessarily create a sort of 
excitement upon the subject which already has produced 
beneficial EOiults. Now, it needs only to guard j^ainst too 
“fast” riding. 
We have been not a little amused at the report of the 
“Hiding 'Committee” at the Onondaga (N, Y.) County 
Fair, as reported in tko Syvacuie J(iurnal. It seems that 
the committee, instead of deciding upon the horsemanship of 
others, mounted their owh “hobbies,” and away they went* 
each one in chase or his own fancy, as to stylei and dress 
of the equestrians. The report says: 
“ With some, the Amazonian style found favor ; others 
thought a less bold and dashing style best comported with 
the delicacy of the sex ; while yet a third class admired an 
equal blending of the twc. Your honorable President 
wisned it to be distinctly understood that no dangerous, 
break-neck, dare-devil kind ol riding was to be encourag- 
ed. Some preferred long flowing robes and a hat and veil, 
giving as a reason for their preference that long skirts 
were graceful and the hat best kept the hair in order, the 
veil adding sufficient grace to make it womanly; others 
were firm in their regard for short skirts, full Turkish 
trousers and boots, insisting that such a dress made up in 
safely what it lacked in grace ; some liked straw hats ; 
some flat caps ; indeed there was as great diversity of 
opinion expressed as there usually is when any committee 
WHOt to make a platfo rm.” 
Whether any were in favor of ladies adopting the Pana- 
ma Isthmas style, or the circus style, the report does not 
say. The commiiteo, however, examined history, and 
■came to the profound conclusion that riding is of “ very 
ancient date, though very little (if a y) known before the 
flood,” and that tne autliootie account of riding to 
some purpose was that of Eebe-cca. 
The committee, having got confused and embarrassed in 
^;he mazes of history and soriptnro, awarded eleven pre- 
u iuiLS, promising other prcmicms next jear to the ua- 
-successfui competitors. The first premium was for “skiilul- 
’y managing different horses,” the second for the “extreme 
beauty with which she sat and rode;” third, for “ladylik® 
dignity of riding;” fourth, “fer spirited, fearless riding;” 
fifth, “for graceful stylish, carriage;” sixth, “rap d, yet ex- 
tremely beautiful riding-;” 'seventh, “for modest, unassum- 
ing, dignified style;” eighth, lor riding a pony which was 
“managed beautimilv;” ninth, for “whose horse was obsti- 
nate, but was at length compelled to obey his fair rider;” 
tenth, “who only requires a little more practice to make 
her a good horfaswomac;” and, eleventh, “who was not 
lacking in skill and fearisssness, but who was most un- 
lonunata in her selection of a horse.” 
Each of these committee men, at the winding up of the 
exercises, sbou!d,have been tied to the aporn strings of his 
favorite rider, and trotted around the ring, — Gleviland 
Mir ala.. 
eibsig and driving liatch, by ladies. 
The great Agricultural Fair of the State of New York, at 
Elmira, closed with.a grand floral ball on Friday eve’g, Oct. 
5, given beneath a mammoth tent, by the citizens, followed 
em Saturdsy by highly interesting equestrian performances, 
in which a number of ladies participated, in the presence of 
some 6,0C0 spectators. We give the following particulars 
from the N. Y. Irib-une: 
At 10 o’clock, A. M., the ladies who had entered for the 
prizes, convenpd at Haight’s Hotel, where they formed 
in line. Fourteen of them were mounted on horses and 
four others in wasrons, each lady being accompanied by 
one gentleman. The procession proceeded to the Fair 
ground, escorted by the committee and the gentlemen in 
waiting. Each lacy was attired in a riding habit varying in 
color from the others, and forming altogther, a very pleasing 
and attractive appearance. Arriving at the grounds they 
were warmly received by the assembled multitude. On as- 
sembling around the judges stand, and after answering to 
their names, they received some instructions from the chair- 
man of the judges, Col.S. G. Hathaway. 
The Tribune here gives the names of fourteen ladies who 
were competitors for riding on horseback, (one from Eng- 
land,) and eight for driving in open buggy. The account 
then says : 
The ladies on horseback were first sent out in couples, 
and for more tnan an hour and a half the skillful and grace- 
ful management of the horses was witnessed by the multi- 
tude with intense intares', and at times their approbation 
broke forth in enthusiastic applause. During the exercise, 
Mrs. Stephens, while testing her horse at full speed, was 
precipitated over his head in consequence of the animal 
com'cg to a sudden halt. Mrs. S. landed on terra firma 
without injury, and in a moment after was making good 
time around the course. Her riding was admired by all. 
Miss A. M. Alexander, an excellent rider, was also 
thfOv'.-n, in consequence of the breaking of the bridle, 
but was not injured. 
An exciting trotting match came off between Mrs. C. M. 
Stephens and Mrs. M. Conover. The riding of the ladies 
and the speed of the horses was very nearly equal, and 
each temporary advantage one gained over the other drew 
forth the approbation of the audience. 
Miss H. T. Chapman was fortunate in the possession of 
a very spirited and well trained animal, which enabled her 
to display superior skill in the management, and by many 
it was thought she had no equal present. 
A contest took place between Mrs. Conover, Mrs. O. 
C. Childs, and Miss E. Council. This was a close contest, 
but Miss Council bore off the palm, and received the appro- 
bation of the audience. 
Little Miss Eliza Ann Taylor, of Ontario county, a slight 
formed child, eight years of age, was the favorite. She sat 
upon a large iront-grey horse, with perfect ease and ele- 
gance, and as firm as if she had been fastened to the saddle. 
In one instance where some five or six ladies on the courc© 
were striving to taka the lead, little Miss Taylor’s horse 
appeared to enter the centest, and as if conscious of hia 
precious burden, steadily increased his speed, with an, 
easy motion, passing one, then another, uniil, on the third 
time round, the coniestants were all distanead, and then 
dashed up in front of the judges’ stand, amid the spontane- 
ous cheers andapplause of all who were 'witnesses. 
In the driving, greater skill and maniigemeat was 
shown than in the riding. M ;£s A. Finch, a little girl 10 
years of vge., Bufprissd those piessnt by dri-ring a fl.ie pair 
of prize horses. Mrs. F, S. Norton, of Onondaga county, 
in riding, could not display her skill to good advantage, in 
conseqaenee of having been providsd wi:h an inferior 
horse. lu the, driving match, she was more fortunate in 
beir^ provided with a very spirited horse. In driving 
around the ring, in company with others, the horse broke 
up, and showed a disposition to dash feff, regardless of 
restraint, when a large number of spectators made a rush to 
stop him, but were kept back by the owner, and Mre. 
Norton appeared to have perfect control. Shortly after 
the hind axle broke down, but by coolne'-s and good 
mansjgemont ‘he horse was promptly stopped. An exciting 
trotting match came off, in which Miss Demsrest and Mrs. 
Whitney dro^^e, each lady availing bei iseif of every advant- 
age that offered. The first bear, the horses continued neck 
and neck, but on the second and third time around, Miss 
.Demarost came in ahead. The driving of Mrs. P. Kinney, 
Mias Stephens and Mrs. 8. Miller w?-.!= also excellent, and 
those ladies also received a portion of the applause. 
About 1)4 o’clock, Col. Hathaway came forward and com- 
plimented the ladies for the highly creditable manner in 
which t' ey had acquitted them selves, and remarked that 
the duties of the Judges were delicate, and they would find 
it very difficult to award the premiums, there being so many 
who were certainly entitled to the first. Ha then closed by 
