Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-23
Horsemanship at West Point

So far % the visitors are concerned
the exhibition drills are naturally of
far more interest than the examination
Of the "poor fellows" who are being
dragged one by enc before the profess.
ors and the Board OF Examiners, in
order that test may be male Of the
thoroughness Of the last years instruc.
tion.
One of the most exciting of these
drills took place this morning at the
riding academy, and was watched with
great interest by the board of visitors.
young ladies' and officers. The riding
hall il q large barn.iike structure, with
two little galleries fr.m which the
riding Can be- seen. Tue ground is GOV.
cred with sawdust, ami the scene as
thirty one of the fre-class men went
gallOping about under the command Of
Capt. Godfrey was "perfect circus. :"
After mounting their horses the cadets
rode around in single file and practiced
u great variety Of saber thrusts and
strokes at imaginary foes. The riding
was good, ana the slashing was vigor
Gus and skillfu.. Then two frames
FROM which iron rings we're suspended
were placed on opposite sides Of the
hall. and near the corners, upon come
racks of suitable height, were placed
some leather heads which the riders
hacked most viciously as they went
galloping around. On the ground were
Is couple more balls. Then the cadets
went dashing around by twos and
threes in opposite directions, trying to
pierce tho rings with their sabres, then
to draw their pistols and blow off the
unofending wooden mans head, and
finally to give the poor ball on the
ground a slashing thrust. The sport
was most exciting, and as the heavy
horse pistols were tired off in rapid sue
cession the "dear creatures in the
galleries stopped up their ears and
tremsled IN alright. Some Of the riders
were very quick, and would succeed in
going through all the maueuvers in
rapid SUCCESSION. Tue same exercises
were then repeated after two we'll pad
ded hurdles had been put up. Some
Of the baiky horses Caused considerable
amusement.
After the saddle had been taken off
the horses the second part of the pro-
gramme was begun. At first one. half
vi the men walked by the side of the
other half who were mounted. Sud.
denly the horses broke into gallop,
anu the order to mount WAS given. LIN
medistely each horse had two riders.
luis practice of leaping on and off u
bareback horse was continue for some
time to the delight of the audience.
hen the hurdles were brought in
again, and the excitement increased.
Each cadet had his horse, and rs he
came to the hurdle would leap oil,
jump the hurdle, clinging all the tune
~ the horses msne, aud then leap on
his back again. Many of the cadets
did this very gracefully and showed
great skill and pluck IN cllngiug to
their rather wild chargers. Sometimes
the horse would refuse to jump, and
great confusion would follow. The
ring masters" as they were facetious-
ly called, stood with whips in hand, 80
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 be,
slowed many expressions of sympathy
on the poor boys" There were some
narrow escapes from accidents, anu
many laughable scenea As u rule,
however, the riding was excellent, AMI
showed that the cadets we're thorough
masters of horsemanship. Many ex-
pressions of admiration we're heard, and
there was considerable applause at the
exceptionally daring feats.-Neu York
Tribune.