The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-12

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CAVALRY STUNT AT FORT MYER.
their teams chosen, and difficult drills
and intricate evolutions have been for
a long time the order of the day.
OF those which will participate in the
exhibition probably the most favored
is the composite troop of the Second
cavalry, which has been exercising
here. This is not the only division of
the Second cavalry being prepared for
the tournament, but 1t is the one that
has attracted the greatest attention,
owing largely to the fact that it is To-
Gated SO near Washington. The COM
posite troop has for its commander
Captain Lloyd M. Brett, a veteran who
~ officers in the service. The troop it.
self Is made up of details from Troops
IT, H, G and e and will be divided into
two sections.
The first section will be fully
equipped. but the second will dispense
with saddles and use blanket and sur
cingle instead; hence it will be known
as the bareback section. The first will
perform the evolutions provided in the
regulations for mounted troops, while
the bareback" men will give these
and few additional Both sections
have been drilling hard in the riding
hall, and both are almost ready for the
competition to determine the team for
Madison Square Garden.
A visitor to the riding hall while
drill is in progress cannot but be inn
pressed by the wonderful proficiency
attained by these cavalrymen. The
saddle troop goes through its PAGES
first Various formations are shown,
and finally troop 'front.' is ordered
The men then lead their horses out IN
til there Is a space of about six PAGES
between each two men. Sabers are
drawn. and the fascinating saber drill
follows, the men going through the
successive movements in perfect uni
son and without word of command.
At the end Of the saber drill the com
mand to lie down comes, and In an ir
slant every 'orse is thrown by its rider
without disl COUNTING. When the horses
are again on their feet, cotillon is
formed, the band plays, and the horses
go through the complicated steps of
the grand march. Hurdles are then
brought out. and the cavalrymen take
them four abreast. The exercises con-
clude with a terrific charge down the
hall, the horses at breakneck speed,
the men yelling like demons. When
within three feet Of the visitors gal
lery, they are skilIfuily pulled up, and
the column breaks into sets OF tours
and marches out of the hall.
All this is difficult enough, but it is
nothing to the bareback exercises that
follow. The troopers, equipped in reg
ulation uniform, take the hurdles as
gracefully and skillfully as the sad
die bestriding fellows. They are re-
CURED to dismount. vault over the |
horse and remount from the opposite |
side while their steeds are first trot. |
ting and then galloping. Next the men |
are formed In columns of twos and |
take turns in dismounting and vault |
ing over their own horses to the backs
OF those ridden by their partners.
When this exercise is over, the hur- /
dies are again brought out, and the /
men dislnount and vault over their
horses as they are taking the Jumps.
This is indeed an exacting feat, but it /
Is performed In faultless style by the I
agile cayalrymen. With the horses /
still III pairs and one man managing |
both, his partner vaults to the back of
his horse and, standing, rides over the
hurdles. Three horses are then slIbsti-
tuted for two, and the rider, standing.
manages the three as they top the tim
Der. Then four men take four horses
abreast over the hurdles, all four men
Standing on the equines' backs. Other
exercises include lying down with til.
horses, rising and vaulting over two.
three, four and even Eve horses stand
Ing side to side.
Attendance at these practice drills
= necessarily very much restricted
owing to the Recommendations az the
riding hall As consequence great
pressure Is brought to bear on the war
department in order to secure tickets
d admission. Not more than $50 In
vitations can be extended Tor one drill.
and those Tho receive an Snyftafion
count themselves Indeed fertunate.
HENRY ~. MILLER.