Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-21

(Wriftcn TOT I0e DlSpdlcD.J
Riding a race or chase Is as different
from all other riding as a good salmon
from all Other fish. and as there will be.
7 hope. many aspirants for the hunt chase
NEXT week. I would advise some Of them,
who perhaps have not had much expert
ence over O. country at any faster pace
than an ordinary canter, not 70 give UP
their natural-formed seat for one they
have never tried before. do not my be-
loved hearers" stick UP your backs like
an angry cat trying to emulate the late
Fred. Archer. or any other celebrated
rider. but keep your middle person from
tn. waist to the knees firm. yet flexible.
grasplng the saddle wei with your thighs,
and resting your weight mostly in the sad
die. not in the stirrups, and IL you have
occasion to use the spurs apply them as
far under the belly as your legs can
reach.
The management Of your arms IL even
OF more Importance. You may have as
firm a seat as frst-rate horseman,
but yet ride a horrible race. from not
keeping steady. unjerking pull mot
dead pulD on the horses mouth.
II you are riding n hard-mouthed horss
always put n bit and curb on, for IL he
once gets the better OF you he may
break away with you in any part of the
race. perhaps swerve. or bolt. and run
out at any Of the jumps. and will sell
dom struggle honestly when challenged
for the rally in; but while he should
always be prevented from all chance of
running off. you need not go into 'th>
other extreme and throw him out OF his
stride either at starting or during the
race by an endeavor to restrain him too
much when, from over-eagernesS. you
see he will not suffer II. Ii Is far better
in these cases TO allow the horse partly
to make his own race. You can try 10
ease him a little as this over-eagerness
subsidies.
Lots Of young riders think horses can
fump anything IL they can only drive
them fast enough at It. They force them
too much at their fences: but whatever
the pace, you should so hold your horse
in the last fifty yards up to the take-off
point that instead of spreading HIM
self out all abroad at every stride. he
can feel the bit and get his legs well
under him. Thousands OF falls have been
caused by riders attempting the me-
chanlcal impossiblity called lifting a
horse over n jump, and when n horse
man attempts this sort OF tour de force.
he only worries his horse, and, ten to one,
throws him into the fence.
Those who are wise will content them
selves with keeping n horse well in hand
until he is about 10 rise for his effort
and to collecting him the moment he
lands. Hold your reins I'm both hands
rather wide apart, as you come TO your
fence, and by closing them and dropping
them near his withers as he rises you
give him plenty of room TO extend HIM
self: and # you stretch your arms as he
descenGs YOU have him in hand.
1t Is quite impossible for any one 70
1, gc
sition in line at jump. so as TO avoid
accidents. unless he uses both hands
for his relns, more especially II any of
the other horses swerve or refuse. l
am the more particular on this point
as I have a valued and learned friend
who disputes this assertion. I regret
that / have never seen this gentleman
go across country, or seen his seat on
n horse; but know he has a very good
and firm seat on the bench!
In conclusion. l would suggest TO
novices that they should leave their
whips at home The reins are quite
a handful to most men. and the injuli'
cious use Of the whip when approaching
4 jump has occasioned a great many
accidents by causing refusals and
swerves. Squire Warburton says:
IF your horse be we'll bred and In bloom
ing condition,
Both up to the country and up to
your weight;
Oil then give the rcins to your youth
full ambition;
Sit down In the saddle and keep his
head straight"
Squire Warburton was Poet-Laureate
OF the famous Tapestry Hunt Club
Cheshire, England.