The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-09-19
The Lady Equestrian.

The question as to whether the practice of
the managers of State Fairs of offering pre-
miums for the best exhibitions of female eques-
trianism is proper or improper, we leave to
the discussion of those who feel an interest in
the point. We incline to the opinion that it
is good idea; at all events, it has had the
effect to turn the attention of the ladies more
generally to the matter of riding, and thus far
is beneficial. We, therefore, presume that the
following remarks upon the subject will be
acceptable both to city and country readers:
The Horse should be one that is smooth gated,
free and lively, but not vicious; timid or unski
ful rider can get but poor ride out OF sluggish
horse A good saddle is one that has the pommel
a very little if any elevated above the seat, with
low cantle and nearly level seat. tits well to have
a curb bitted bride, unless the horse has good
tender mouth, and is well broke.
The Dress should be plain habit of cloth, or
unglazed stuff that will not I'll in the wind; or
skirt of the latter can be worn with dark basque
of the present fashion, The underskirts should be
few, and not of clumsy material. dark hat, SINH
lar to the low crowned soft bats worn by gentle
men, held on by strings, with a plain ribbon and
streamers, is good style of head gear.
In Mounting the Horse let the assistant ADJUST
the rains equally place them in the ladys right hand
lust before the pommel of the saddle and'between
the crutches, the whip being in the same hand
She puts her forefnger between the reins, gently
letting the hand slip until it rests over the near
crutch of the saddle; standing their upright close
to the horse with her right side towards the saddle
the assistant places himself before her. keeping her
partly between himself and the saddle he can place
both hands together nterlocked, or use the right
hand alone if he has sufficient strength; he then
II Ii ,10fkE 1At htoh - nln
ced full and firm in his hand hands, the lady at
the same time places her left hand on his right
shoulder by which and the she has on the crutch
of the saddle she steadies herself while she bears
her weight on her foot in the assistants hand,
Strengthening her left knee and keeping it firm,
while he raises her to the saddle where she pau
SEES while the assistant places her left foot in the
stirrup. She then changes her right hand to the
off crutch, and raises herself in the stirrup, while
the assistant draws forward the skirt next the sad
die when the lady places her right knee over the
pommel, and seats herself firmly in the saddle
In an erect and proper position, a perpendicular
line will touch the nose, breast, stirrup knee and
stirrup toe; if she she see her strrup foot she
is out of position perpendicular line will fall
from the left shoulder touch the elbow and stirrup
heel.
Carry the rens in the left hand, holding the ell
bow bent square, and slightly pressing against the
DOOy, Bdllu whip pen, viii
tie lash down; the hand may be raised so as to be
a little below the bride hand, or hang down per-
pendieuary, but the elbow should be kept near the
holy. 1t is perhaps best to let the bride arm hang
down so as to support yourself on the saddle, i
necessary but never let it rest the crutch, only
to prevent falling Learn to keep your balance
without any aid from the stirrup, as that should
only be used for rest, or in case of emergency.
To Dismount, if clone, shift the rein to the righ
hand, and take hold of the off crutch of the saddle
raise the knee over the left crutch, clear your
skirt well from the saddle, at the same time dis
engage the strrup foot; change the right hand tc
the left crutch turn the body to the right lay hole
of the horses name with the left hand then spring
clear from the saddle aghting the toes, with the
knees bent and face to the horses wthers, keeping
hold with both hand until firm on the feet. If she
have an assistant in dismounting she places hel
left hand in his left hand springing clear from the
saddle, alighting on her feet, as above, with be-
side to the saddle. The assistant must have hi
right hand ready to support her, if necessary, o.
he may stand by the horses shoulder, and take
the lady's right hand in his, and thus steady he
descent
The above constitute the primary items, withou
going into the detail of evolutons which would re
quire too much space. 1t is to be hoped tina
particular attention viii be paid to position in th
saddle, as that it all important in gentee horseman
shin