The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-03
Tremendous Obstacles Have Been Over
come in the Training and Drilling Of
Crack Representatives for the
New York Show.

~ HOCGH hampered by the condi-
tons of the service, il the FIJI
tenth Cavalry. four troops Of
which are now quartered at Fort AIyer,
does not put up as good an exhibition
drill as its predecessor, the Second, at
Tie annual tournament at Madison
Square Garden, New York, Of the Mill
tary Athletic League, TO be held the
week beginning May .. it viii not be the
fault Of Capt r. J. Rooster and Lieuten-
ants Burnett and Cameron, who have
the trimming of the men 10 participate.
Though there is every reason to believe
That the drill which viii be put on in
New York on the date mentioned win be
equal in every respect. if not superior
in many, to any ever exhibited. this re-
suit viii have been accomplished under
remarkably adverse circumstances. TO
bel gin with. the Fifteenth is just home
from the islands" where It was en-
Gaged in octual service. and had no time
for fancy stunts, however valuable these
latter may be. Then, again. the Old
members OF the regiment. who were
such cousu1nmate horsemen that no
trick riding was TOO difficult for their &C.
complislment. were. almost 10 a man,
discharged by reason of the expiration
or their enIistments in February, and
practically none have re-enllsted to date.
Prior 10 their discharge, however, the
men gave every Indication of their inten-
tiOn to rc-enlist. so that, when the order
vas received from the general command
ing the Department Of the East. IN De-
cember. for. the selection Of a composite
troop Of cavalry, and a squad OF artil-
lcry, TO participate in the tournament.
teams were made up from the old men
OF the troops, who were drilled into per
fiction Of movement in number of
very difficult feats OF horsemanship-
When the time came for their discharge.
however. these men. one and all. left for
good. and with them went the train
cd composite troop composed Of them.
Broke in Raw Men.
There was but one thing 10 do-brcal,
in teams from the new men. Captain
Rooster called Lieusenants Burnett and
Cameron in consultation. and together
they faced the situation. II was now the
first of March. and nothing but a bunch
Of raw men on which 10 work. Add 10
This the superb record left by the Second
Cavalry. the pride of the Fifteenth. and
the imperative necessity Of maintaining
the honor Of the cavalry arm Of the
service and you VIII see what 2 stipend
Gus task was ahead OF these men.
For it is not the work Of a holiday u
learn or teach riding. even Of the plain
unshowy. straightaway service kind
CavaIrymea reckon that It takes two
years TO teach man the proper seat
and carriage and how 10 handle his
horse-in other words. how to ride. Her,
was the greater necessity Of teaching
the fanciest styles Of riding-such as i.
not TO be seen even in circus rings Of
wild West shows, or on the Indiar
plains or cattle helds-and all within
the space Of a few weeks. and with
men, some Of whom, perhaps. never sa
a horse. Truly the task was Hercu
lean. How well it has been accom-
pl!shed-with what consummate skill
the raw recruits have been whipped int,
shape. and with what aptitude III,
troopers have assimilated instruction
can be realized only by watching then
at their daily drills.
II is the eighth annual tournament OF
the Military Athletic League. which +,
den the first week in May. This league
is under the auspices Of the National