Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-07-14
Riding at West Point,

so FAR as the visitors are concerned the
exhibition drills are naturally of far NOR,
interest than the examination of the s'poo
fellows, who are being dragged one by on,
before the professors and the Board of Ex-
aminers, in order that a test may be mad,
Of the thorOughness IF the has; years in
structiOr
One of the most exciting Of these drills
took place recently at tAe riding ac.,e
my, and was watched with great interest by
the board of visitors. young ladies and
officers. The riding hall is large barn
ike structure, with two little galleries from
I which the riding can be seen. The ground
Il covered with sawduSt. and the scene as
i thIrty-One Of the first class men went
/ gsllOping about under the command OF
Capt. Godfrey was perfect circus. :
After mounting their horses the cadets
rode around in single file and prscticed a
/ great variety of saber :hrusts and strokes
at imaginary foes. The riding was good.
and the slashing was vigorous and skilltul.
Then two frames from which IRON rings
were suspended were placed ON opposite
sides Of the hall, and near the corners,
upon some racks OF Il suitable height, were
place some leather heads which the rider
hacked most vIciously ss they went sallep-
ing around On the ground were a couple
more balls Then the cadets went dashins
around BY twos and threes in opposite
directions, trying 70 pierce the rings with
their sabers, then to draw their pistols and
blow of the uaoffending wooden mans
head, and finally TO give the poor ball on
the ground slashing thrust The sport
vas most exciting, and us the heavy horse
pistols were fired oil in raoid succession
the '-dear creatures in the galleries stopped
up their ears and trembled IN alright.
Some of the riders were very quick, and
would succeed in going through all the
maneuyers in rapid succession. The same
exercises were then repeated after two well
padded hurdles had been put up. Some of
the baiky horses caused considerable
amusement. After the saddle had been
taken of the horses the second part of the
programme was begun. AT first one-half
of the men walked by the side of the other
half, who were mounted. Suddenly the
horses broke into gallOp, aud the order TO
mount was given. Immediately each horse
had two riders. This practice of lesping
on and OF a bareback horse WAS continued
for some time, TO the delight of the audi
ence. Then the hurdles were brought in
again, and the excitement increased. Each
cadet had his horse, and as he came 10 the
hurdle world leap off, jump the hurdle,
clinging all the time to the horses name,
and then leap on his back again. Many
Of the cadets did this very gracefully, and
showed great skill and pluck in clinging to
their rather wild chargers. Sometimes the
horse would refuse to jump, and great con-
fusion would follow. The ''ring masters, "
as they were facetiously called, stood with
whips i'll hand, 50 as to remind the balky
horse of the danger Of stopping. The
cadets then varied the exercise by jumping
off their horses while at full speed, and
then leaping clear over their backs. and
then on to their backs again The exercise
was, OF course, very violent. and the young
ladies bestowed many expressions of symps-
thy on the poor boys" There were some
narrow escapes from accidents and many
scenes As a rule however, the riding was
excellent, and showed that the cadets were
thorough masters Of horsemanship. Many
expressions of admiration were heard, and
there was considerable applause al the ex-
ceptionslly daring feats.