Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-06-30

ceeds. That is why horseback rid
ing is expected to flourish during III q
next few months.
AS a matter of fact, men and wo-
men who compose the smart set of
the city have set out to make a fad
out of a castaWay pastime, and those
in position to know say all that is
needed to line the boulevards and
mark drives with men and women on
horseback is few days of genuine
snring weather Even now riding
academies are thronged with patrons
who are either learning how to ride
correctly for the first time or are
brushing up their past knowledge to
keen abreast with the progress of
fashion. 1t has been SO long since
horseback riding was universally pop
ular in Chicago that it is in reality a
new thing and many women who used
to be expert equestriennes have al
most forgotten how to sit in saddle
and handle the reins with that ease
and grace sought after by all who
ride in public.
Eight or nine years ago practically
every one in the city who could at
ford to regard a saddle horse In no
sense luxury was riding horseback
and the parks and boulevards were
filled with men and women in the
saddle. Chicago boosted OF scores Oh
expert riders in those days, but just
when the sport was at the hight OIL
supremacy the bicycle came along
with the result that there was posi-
tive slump in the saddle horse Market
and pedaling sprung into vogue with
time saddle horse as a general propo-
sition have not received any partlcu-
lar favor from either men or women
They have been regarded Largely as the
media of exercise by dyspeptics and
nervous overworked persons and we're
taken" like tonic on the recomnAen-
dation of the family physician. Two
years ago, however, when the bicycle
became so common that it's popularity
waned perceptibly, the horse was
once more courted by persons who
eschew everything common, while this
season will see it's return to the old
time elevated plane.
The demand for good saddle horses
in Chicago during the last few weeks
has been greater than has been
noticed for years, and as a result
prices have gone up until now it is
next to impossible to secure a desi1'-
able mount for less than $3.50. The
price even ranges as high as $500.
Strange as it may seem, many gated
animals are in less demand than those
with one or two we'll defined manners
of stride, and in Chicago, at least,
the smart gaits this season will be the
trot and canter. In practically all
riding academies in the city men and
women are being taught to sit horses
with these gaits. Sing1efooters, slow
PAGERS, and running walkers are no
longer regarded by experienced eques-
TRANS as the most desirable saddle
horses, The reason for this is that
few riders are able to control the diff
ferant gaits of their mounts, and
horse is soon so badly spoiled that
none of it's gaits is distinct and it be-
comes unsatisfactory for riding pur-
poses.
Despite the fact that women riders
will lead in numbers in Chicago this
season, comparatively few, in fact, it
may be said none, will don divided
skirts and ride astride. This some
what startling innovation is being
discouraged by teachers, who contend
that a woman is much safer on
sidesaddle than when riding in mascu-
line fashion. "a woman is not at
home in cross saddle" says G. G.
Zellmeisl of the North-side riding
academy, "and for that reason [ dis
courage this style of riding as much
as possible. She cannot manage a
horse as well, nor can she sit in the
saddle as comfortably. A woman is
much safer in sidesaddle than when
riding astride. And her appearance
is more attractive The newest form
of sidesaddle is built so that the knees
assume a natural, restful position,
giving the whole figure a graceful ap-
pearance. The arrangement of the
pommel makes it practically impos-
sible for a woman to fall off even
though she be an inexperienced eques-
trienne.
Little change will be noted this sea-
son in the styles of riding beyond the
gates of the horses themselves. The
trot for women, as we'll as men, will
be quite the thing. 1t is rather hard
gait for rider to master, but when
once mastered is said by expert eques-
TRANS to be the easiest and most en-
joyable of all. For cross-country jaunts
men will ride with short stirrups,
but the fashionable park seat will ex-
tend the leg until the toe barely
reaches the stirrup.
ISLAM CLAIMS MOST ADHERENTS