The morning call., 1894-12-10

edge of the saddle was limited to acquir-
ing proficiency in the art of packing the
commissary mule, and how lie rode his
horse came as the result OF actual eXpe-
rience in the field.
The new regulations introduced different
methods, among them being this rough
riding. 1t has been about three years since
the cavalry started 10 learn this part of
the regulations, and there are now some
very proficient trough riders" in the army.
Among the tricks they perform are dis
mounting and mounting while the horse is
galloping; vaulting over the horse: riding
back to back and jumping from horse to
horse while galloping. One of the tricks
that called forth the loudest applause at
the recent show was Tor one trooper TO
vault from the back of his horse en- to
another animal while the horses were in
the acl of jumping the hurdles.
There are seventeen different resula-
tons concerning this rough riding, which
provide for the development of the
muscles in addition to teaching the men
the rudiments of the art OF circus-ridipg.
Like many other things it is easier than it
looks, there being "knack'' to catch IS
in. other athletic exercises. Oace this is
done the rest is easy. What the troopers
endeayor to learn is the ''gallopng STEP"
which consists in catching the motion Of
the horse, and when acquired it is very
easy to vault moving horse. this being
from the ground TO the back of his horse.
The regulations further provide that tie
horses are TO be trained TO lie down, 10
step as the rider wishes and otherwise TO
be under his command As regards the
practical use of the rough riding it is urged
that if in a charge a trooper loses his horse
he can vault behind comrade and be
carried off.
In riding back to back it might be neces-
saTy to make a desperate dash of some
sort, and while the man in front watched
ahead the second rider could guard the
retreat. When the horses lie down a
wounded man can be assisted to seat be-
hind the saddle and taken to a place OF
safety.
OF course the men have added many
more tricks than the regulations provide
for in their desire to have their respective
companies excel the others.
OF the four troops in the Fourth Regi-
meut of cavalry stationed at the Preside
troops | and K are the most proficient in
the rough riding, these being the ones
that exhibited at the Pavilion last week.
The best riders in the First Troop are
probably Lieutenants l. Nolan and NJ. f.
Davis, Sergeants Singer and Hart, Cor
poral Trautvetter. Pflvates Yullen and
Wolff. In Troop K, which is possibly the
better, are Lieu'enant Smedberg, Cor
porals Ladder aud Forster, Privaies Fer
nandeZ and Kelly. OF the First Lieu
tenant Davis was regarded as a wonder
before the grip caught him. HI can vault
over a moving horse four times in sue
cession, and previous to his sickness could
90 over fourteen times. Lieutenant Smed-
berg's performances at the show last week
are so recent that it is not necessary to de-
scribe his feats. He fairly electrified the
| crowd
Captain Darst, formerly of K Troop,
but now stationed at Vienna. Austria, W as
| the first instructor he men had, and his
| ability as a teacher is still held in high re-
| gard by all of them.
AS rule the troopers like the exercise,
the only danger of their applying for trans
| fer to another branch of the service being
while they are acquiring the necessary
| gymnastic "kpack." Some are naturally
! more apt than others, and 1t was only re-
Gently that recruit from Sacramento got
| the Swing" in such short time as 10 sur
prise the entire regiment. The men are
practiced in this rough riding twice year
in the fall and opening of spring-but
they naturally keep ''im bered up" during
| the interim.
Both companies are troubled for lack O {
proper grounds, as the present ones are
too small. In the rough riding the men
practice on the beach, and as the sand Is
| heavy they cannot of course get the right
spring when vaulting. nor can the horses
| travel at the proper speed. With the as
stump tion of General Forsyth of the com.
mand of this department it is thought that
more attention will be paid to the cavalry
service and an attempt will be made te
have larger grounds secured for the
1 m drilIs