Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-05-12
Fashionable Women Patronizing our
Riding Schools.

There IS a craze for equestrianism
Just now among fashionable people.
The quiet bride paths of New York
Central PARK are alive as early IN the
morning as O'Clock with horseback
riders of every age and both sexes.
Nothing like it has hitherto existed In
this country. 1t is not the recurrence
of a craze; 1t is the birth of one which
society isnow experiencing, and in con-
sequence its symptoms are particularly
virulent. 1t IS not many years ago
since man or woman on horseback,
riding on the avenue, or even in Gem
tral Park, was an object of curiosity,
not only to the small boy, but to his
more sedate and phlegmatlc elders.
The visitors to our principal pleasure
ground who rode in fifty-cent hack
over the regulation route, craned their
necks to catch glim5e5 of the eques.
trians and equestrienues through inter-
vening trees, and ranked such appari-
tions as part of the programme which
included those marvellous and indes-
cribable works of art which are scat
tered through the park. At present.
riding through Central Park is very
ordinary pastime, not at all likely to
excite the attention or curiosity Of any
one familiar with the upper part of the
city. Riding parties along Fifth ave.
nue. are by no means uncommon, and
pretty Young ladies, gracefully robed in
habits may be met at any hour in the
day, but particularly IN the morning,
along the streets in the neighborhood
of the Park. After the outward and
visible signs have been noted, Of
course, no surprise will be felt, when
it is learned that there are number
of riding schools uptown, all Of them
doing lively and prosperous business.
A few years ago, there were two
schools. In place Of two there are now
at least two dozen. And besides these,
there are numerous private riding
schools.
"What is the reason of this craze
just now?" was asked of well-known
Matchmaker uptown.
1T is simply a development of the
all-pervading Anglomania now RAM
pant. Society people who go over to
England during the summer and ride
on Rotten Row find that ladies and
gentlemen ride. There is no such
sight as Rotten Row displays during
the season. Then when the same
American goes to an English country
house the same skill In equestrianlsm
is found. There are hunts to which
everybody rides-farmers as well as
gentry. Farmers on the other side all
ride. They don't jump into an an
cient, tumble-down buggy, and Jolt and
jump over the country roads. They
get on horseback, snd are better,
healthier and stronger for the exer-
cise. When the travelled American
comes bome, he or she is just enthusi-
astic over riding as over anything that
is positively and genuinely English.
And then they swoop down on the
tailorS and the tailor-dressmakers for
habits. That is to say, the lady does.
The gentleman, Of course, wants riding
trousers and velvet jacket. 4 good
habit costs 500. A bad habit, in
whatever sense you take it, costs a
great deal more. For winter use they
are made of heavy Melton cloths. Just
now we are manufacturing them from
elastic cloths that come from the west
of England
''It is not the bodice of habit that
is difficult to make. Any fool who
understands tailoring can turn that out.
1t is the skirt which requires skillful
and experienced artist to drape and fit
properly. 1t Is not alone necessary to
fit the lady, she must be fitted on horse.
back. The skirt may fall gracefully as
she walks. But 1t Is not made for her
to walk in. So in fitting her we do so
while she is seated on a wooden repro
duction of horse. More than that Is
necessary. She must send down her
saddle. The skirt Is draped to great
extent from the rest on TIE pommel of
her saddle, and the height Of this and
its relation to the riders body are of
the utmost importance. You cannot
do more with a habit than to make it
fit well. There isn't much variety pos.
sibIe. We are now making them open
at the neck, to permit the wearing of a
scarf and an appropriate scarf pin, but
outside OF this habits this year will be
much as they were last year.
''Do you think the craze will con-
tinue?"
"Oh. yes; it is sensible one, and a
magnificent remedy for the national
complaint-dyspepsia."