Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-18
THE ART OF RIDING.
GRACEFUL POSITION AND PERFECT
EASE IN THE SADDLE.
Two Methods OF Horseback Riding, the
German and the English-The Plan
of Instruction Adopted by
Well-known Professor"
New York Mail and Express I

1.-THE American women are the best horse
back riders in the world" said well known
professor who for many years, both In Eu-
rope and this country, has taught the art Of
riding l say it because / know. l have
taught the art of riding in Germany, where
the Unconditional German lass is persevering
enough, but lacks the fearless dash and
energy of the American girl l have
Travelled and observed the English women as
they appear when on horseback, seen the
Andalusian maidens cantering over the cam
pagna on their bushy tailed steeds and
watched the French matrons as they pa
raded past on high ste?ping chargers in the
Bois de Bologne, but for graceful position
and perfect eass in the saddle | will place
the American girl, yes. the New York
woman, against them all.
"You have a riding school and teach ladies
how to rider
"Yes, and when I see one Of my pupils
among 100 other riders in Central park In
stantly recognize her easy and natural posi-.
ton, and note the great difference that
proper schooling has accomplished. teach
two methods of horseback riding, the Ger
man and English. The former method is a
close seat and the latter rising seat Cen
orally begin them with the German seat,
then if they are apt scholars in three or four
days, start them on the English styls
These two methods have their advantages
and disadvantages, which, after being caro-
fully weighed, iean more favorably to
the English. The center of gravity in
the saddle can be obtained in the closs
seat, but in long distance riding
the rising seat is infinitely preferable,
both to the horse and the comfort Of the
rider. Hence for graceful, easy riding the
English method is best You rise with the
motion of the horse and ride from the sti-
rup, whereas the German is balanced by the
weight of the knees and ou might say rides
from the knees The first thing | impress on
a lady pupil Is to acquire an easy, natural
seat, to have no part Of the body, not q
single muscle anywhere rigid and to have
confidence. That il it, by Jovel the Amer
lean woman has too much confidence, but it
only makes the equestrian art easier to learn.
~ must now tell my method Of teaching
When lady begins l first place her on a
gentle horse that knows more than the rider.
The saddle has no stirrup, in order to let the
rider acquire natural position stirrup
at first seems to throw them out Of natural
ness Then next let them use stirrup, all
the time carefully instructing as to position,
both in regard to contact with saddle and
carriage of head and shoulders When this
is thoroughly acquired, the next move is to
place them on a high spirited animal and
see if they can still keep the same graceful
position when in fast motion Now, there
are jockey seats, hunting seats and school
seats, which, practically do not come under
the head of teaching women how to ride.
Women who learn how to ride well can
, adopt any style they choose, 30 it has grace
and ease One natural position In the saddle
Is worth fifty artificial, strained positions,
which leave the rider uncomfortable
Have you any rules for women sitting on
the horsef"
YES; those which DR.. Bussegny gives in
his Handbook He says that a woman
should sit on c horse thus: The head straight.
easy turning upon the shoulders in any di-
rection without involving a movement Of the
body The eyes fixed straight to the front
looking between the horses ears, and alway
the direction in which he is going. The uppe-
part Of the body easy, flexible and straight.
The lower part Of the body firm, without
stiffness The shoulders well back and on
the same line. The arms falling naturally.
The forearm bent. The wrists on level with
the elbows The reins held in each hand.
The fingers firmly closed, facing each other,
with the thumbs extended on the ends Of the
lines. The right foot falling naturally on
the pommel of the saddle, the left foot in the
stirrup without leaning uponit. The part Of
the right leg between the knee and the hip
| joint should be turned on its outer or righ,
side, and should press throughout its length
| on the saddle The knees should, in their re
spective positions, be continually in contact
/ without an exception. The lower or NOV
able part of the leg plays upon the immov
able at the knee joint, the sole exception be
ing when the rider rises to the trot, at which
time the upper part Of the leg leaves the sad