The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-07-18
THE sAwDUST RING.



come Bareback Riders-I he Lead.
irg Cirtus Riders Of the World.
Prom the San Francisco Chronicle.
Visitors to the circus now performing
on the Jackson street lot cannot fail TO
have been stuck with the excellence Of
the Juggling tea;s on horseback OF
Harry Ws'hy Cooke, who for six Years
has had - challenge out to all comers
to compete with hrm 10 thus class OF
acts for $1,000. Mr.. Cooke Who is the
leading bareback rider in the com pauy,
and among the foremost in the world,
IN the course Of conversation made
some Interesting statements iu regard
TO early training OF riders. His own
experience will serve as an example o.
rHR COURSE OF INSTRUCTION
Pursued 10y nearly sll successful riders
At the age OF three and halt years he
put on the spangles. aud entered the
saw dust ring for his frat lesson. IL
consisted merely in riding a pony
around the ring barebacked, in order TO
get confidence AMI the art OF balancing
two essentials in the art Of bareback
riding. II the child is possessed OF SUI
iicient coolne,s and courage TO warrant
the hope that he will become success
lul rider with sufficient practice, after u
number OF such lessons, he is taught to
ride two Ponies. gsIlopiug around the
ring, standing with one loot on the back
OF each pony. and holding the reius 10
his hand, while his tutor holds n
cord attached to the childs waist
and passing through rirg in the sad.
die. This is sused to prevent the child's
falling under the horses feet, in case OF
lis losing his balance. The lesson will be
illustrated this evening, when a three
year old con OF Mr.. Cook will ride the
dancing pony. IL is much easier 10
balance with one loot on each horse
than 10 ride single animal. After the
pupil is able 10 ride two ponies, and
has some idea OF the balance required.
he is then llacCd on the pad, or cques-
trian saddle. An experienced rider sits
behind, and the pupil performs in front
within reach oi the tutors arms. Every
precaution il taken 10 preserve the
child from falling, a. q fall DESTROYS
confidence and often undoes months OF
patient instruction. Instead OF using
severity it is the aim OF the tutor To
make the pupil feel additional conf
dence and pleasure in the performance
every time itis repeated.
THE NEXT sTRP
l. allowing The child TO ride along on
the pad, il he has sufficient confidence
in himself aud good idea OF preserving
his balance. The cord a,tacEed to the
chili's waist is stlI held 10y the tutor
TO prevent accident. After he has
learned TO slsnd on one loot. and jump
from his knee 10 his feet, the bareback
horse is introduced, and the routine Of
introduction is repeated with additional
precautions. Then the "lesping objects
are brought in. The fret lesson il
leaping the banner. which requires
some time TO accomplish. AT this
stage OF the instruction if the boy does
not display a promising proficiency h.
soon drops out Of the l,st OF riders, and
becomes an object holder. The pupil
next tries hoop jumping. aud when be
is well up in these he tries the Gross
tricks which consists OF somersaults,
pirouetting. standing with lace 10 the
horses head, jumping halt way. aud
Lighting with his face TO the horses
tail. These tricks often require years
OF patient practice. supplemented with
great Coolness. and judgment.
JUGGLING on HoRsEBAcY
Is.snother branch OF bareback per.
formance, which is studied after the pu-
pill becomes master Of the foregoing
accom- plshmenfs lie cornm epcss
with the balls, the globe. spinning the
basip, etc, on the grouud. and when
he becomes proficient attempts the
same tea,s on horseback. A the RI.
der keeps his eyes on the balls or BASIN
all the time. these !ea,s become doubly
difficult and daring. The mos, difficult
OF all 10 the trick which Mr.. Cooke
performs-jumpIng through the paper
hoop, throwing ,ie basin over thetop
and catching II after aligb,ing on the
other side. THIS requires years Of
practice aud 81 extraordinary amount
OF precision. Female bareback riders
are pu. through the same course OF
training.
THE PoREnosT BAREBACK RIDERS
In the world are James Robinson. John
Henry Cooke, II. Welby Cooke. Char
les Fish. Donald Melville. William
Bell. Madame Caroline Roland and
Madame DockrilI. The average sala-
rice OF bareback riders are from &l7j TO
500 per week. james Robinson. who
has been tbirty-two years in the busi.
mesa. ard is regarded as the best in the
world. has refused 500 per week IN
Germany, while filing another more
lucrative engagement Madame Roland
and Madame Dockrill each command
sbou; s400 per week and expenses
a.