Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-03-17
TRAINING A CIRCUS RIDER.
Interesting "Reminiscences ofa ycicrnu In
the Ring.

we first give them all the experience we
can on the ground, or on hard cushions;
teach them to turn rip-Aaps, somer-
saults, jump through paper balloons
and throw q somersault, and all that
sort of thing. Then we show how to
slip and tumble while going through
their acts, and hit wherever they may,
but striving always to save their heads
and back This teaches them how to
save themselves from serious injuries.
Why, l had lots OF boys who thought
no more of falling or being thrown off
horse than many schoolboys think OF
y fall on ice when out skating. When
the boys get 80 they can turn somer-
sault from board raised two or three
feet from the ground, and fall without
danger Of doing themselves any harm
beyond hurting bit, then we put them
on horseback. First we put them on a
good, steady old nag, without saddle,
but with bclly.band with handles in
stead. On these the boys ride astral
die; then sideways, like lady, chang
ing from one side TO the other, the
horse beginning with walk, and wind
ing up on the full gallop Then be-
gins the upright riding. The horse
carries broad, hard stuffed pad. The
beginner has n strong belt about his
Nra not. in hn ~ a.. Al
mechanic is placed. | suppose you
have seen 1t, as il has been shown in a
number OF circuses. 1t is all upright
log, with an arm running over the per
forming track. A strong rope runs
along it TO the end of the arm, then
through pulley down to the ambitious
youth who wants to be rider, and
fastened to the belt around his waist.
The other end is held by man at the
center-pole, so, you see, the boy cannot
fall to the ground if he misses his foot
ing or loses his equilibrium, and 20
falls off his horse. The man-who was
giving him plenty of rope 20 dance
about simply brings him up with
short turn, and he swings around in
mid-air until he catches up with his
horse and gets another foothold The
mechanic you know, goes around the
ring at the same speed that the horse
keeps up. But when the aspirant gets
40 far advanced that he can do without
the mechanic and pads and ride
little ON bareback. and when he com.
mences his somersaults, vAulting
through paper balloons, etc, he gets
many a hard knock, tell you. There
are not very great number OF riders
who get that far ahead in the profession
First, the bare back rider must find ont
the center Of gravity Of the circle and
hen, and most OF all. he must know
how to fall. The shaking Of paper,
child's cry, or many other little trihcs
NAV distract a horses attention for
second, but, short as that time is, II
the performer happens TO be in the air
it means a fall. II he is too long com
ing down to catch the horse, why all
right bu. il he can only touch him
with his foot he gives himself push
toward the center Of the ring, rolls him
self up in ball as quickly as possible,
tiles not to strike on his head or spine,
and the very instant he feels the earth,
to let everything go, relax all muscles,
and fall we'll as near "a l can describe
it, fall as nearly like drunken man as
he can"
''But have you not in your daring and
seemingly reckless riding received some
serious iniuriss?"
"0h, yes, have broken that arm
twice, but il is just as good as new now.
i had that ankle knocked out OF joint,
which laid me up for weeks; I have
sprained my legs, ankles and wrists
when didn't fall just exactly right,
and have got more dents in my head
than q skillet has holes, but q man must
not mind little things like those il he
expects to be champion. Look at my
boy, Frank Melville, who is now so
great q favorite; why, he was the most
daring young rider You ever heard of
and he got lots of hard knocks, but he
didn't scare bit, and now for him to
fall or be thrown from his horse is q
very rare thing.
my trea ment for performing horses
is simply kindness and rewards If q
horse il afraid Of his master he is unre-
liable, and il the horse knows that, as
he has performed his part we'll, he is
sure of a good hearty meal and little
of something he is particularly fond of,
aad knows inst as we'll that IL he does
his work in careless or slovenly way
he will not get it, he will do his act
the best he knows how, you may be