Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-01-06
Riding at West Point.

the exhibition drills are naturally of
more interest than the examination of
the "poor fellows" who are dragged
one by one before the Professors and,
Board of Examiners, in order that a
test may be made of the thoroughness
Of last years instruction. One of the
most exact of these drills took place
one morning at the riding academy,
and was watched with great interest
by the board OF visitors, young ladies,
and officers. The riding hall is a large
barn. like structure, with two little
xalleries from which the riding can be
seen. The ground is covered with saw
dust, and the scene as thirty-one of the
hrst-class men went galloptng about
under the command OF Captain God
frey was perfect circus" Alter
mounting their horses the cadets rode
round in single file and practiced
great variety of saber thrusts and
strokes at imaginary foes. The riding
was good, and The slashing was vigor-
, Gus and skillful. Then two long frames
from which iron rings were suspended,
were placed on opposite sides of the
hall, and near the corners, upon some
racks Of suitable height, were placed
some leather heads, which the riders
hacked most viciously as they went
galloping around. On the ground were
couple more balls. Then the cadets
went dashing around by twoS and
threes in opposite direction, trying to
pierce the rings with their sabers, then
to draw their pistols and blow of the
unoffending wooden mans head, and
finally to give the poor ball on the
ground slashing thrust. The sport
was most exciting, and as the heavy
horse pistols were fired off in rapid
succession, the ''dear creatures" in the
galleries stopped up their ears and
trembled in fright. Some Of the riders
were very quick and would succeed in
going through all the EaneuVers in
rapid succession. The same exercises
were then repeated after two well pad
ded hurdles had been put up. Some
of the bslky horses caused consider
able amusement.
After the saddles had been taken off
the horses the second part of the pro-
gramme was begun. At first one halt
the men walked beside the other half
who were mounted. Suddenly the
horses broke into gallep, and the or
der to mount was given. Immediately
each horse had two riders. This prac-
tee Of leaping on and off a bareback
horse was continued for some time, TO
the delight Of the audience. Then the
hurdles were brought in again, and the
excitement increased. Each cadet had
his horse, and as he came to the hurdle
would leap off Jump the hurdle, cling
ing all the time to the horses name,
and then leap on his back again. Many
of the cadets did this very gracefully,
aud showed great pluck and skill in
clinging to their rather wild chargers.
Sometimes the horses would refuse 70
jump, and great confusion would fol-
low. The "ring masters" us they were
facetiously called, stood with big whips
in hand, so 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 leaped clear over
their backs, and then on their backs
again. The exercise was, of course,
very violent, and the young ladies be-
slowed many expressions of sympathy
on the Fpoor boys" There were some
narrow escapes from accidents, and
many laughable scenes. AS rule
however, the riding was excellent, and
showed that the cadets were thorough
masters of horsemanship. Many ex-
pressions of admiration were heard,
and there was considerable applause
at the exceptionally daring feats. A
graduate of West Point is necessarily
sklllful rider, bcause of his thorough
training, and becomes Injured TO the
hardships he may encounter in his
future career in the army.