Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
MANY FOND OF RIDING
Some Well-Known Eques-
TRANS in Washington.

one need only TO traverse daily the hlgn-
ways and byways o. the national capital to
appreciate what strong hold eauestrianism
has upon it's inhabitants. No other city in
the Union with twice the number of people
can count as many devotees of the saddle
as can Washington. Equestrianism at this
point is not a fad. but healthful and ex-
hilarating exercise, in which President
Roosevelt sets the pace. The President
much prefers to be on the back of horse
than to occupy seat in his carriage, ex
cept on formal occasions, or when personal
convenience demands it. He himself has
said that his mind works freer and clearer
ON horseback, and doubtless many grave
state problems have had their solution and
wise plans for the public veal devised while
the President has been flying over the
ground on his big bay gelding.
*
In this respect the President is much like
the late Chief Justice John Marshall, who
once said that many of his important de-
cisions were wrought out while he was rid
ing the circuit on his horse. Why he could
not explain clearly. but as soon as he
mounted his horse his mind gained a buoy
ancy and the body responded to the mind.
The eminent iurist was loyal to the saddle
until d year before his uedlU, Wien tue
disease that carried him off compelled him
to give up the exercise. President Roose-
velts predecessors-Was hngton and Jeffer-
son-never appeared in public in their
coaches except on formal occasions. The
coach was set aside for the ladies of the
family and their maids, while the heads of
the encourage rode on horseback within
speaking distance. Washington and JEFF
ferson accomplished horsemen) rode ami
mails of their own breeding-usually half
o,,1 o,fN A. IT,.
they could very well do as they were large
breeders. and owned large plantations on
which to raise them. Mr.. Madison rode on
horseback as matter Of necessity, rather
than from choice, as Virginia roads in prim-
tive days were sloughs of mud in wet
weather, and in dry were uncomfortable to
ride over In a carriage on account of the
rocks.
President Roosevelt rides every day
In the week and every week in the year. no
matter whether the sun shines, the winds
blow or the air is filled with flying flakes Of
snow. He has an eaA seat In the saddle
something on the ordA, of the plansman-
his torso swaying with the motion of the
horse, thus giving to his mount and to
himself. A rigid body is tiresome to horse
and man. The President rides with a long
strrup-unlike the first Napoleon-who rode
ike the ARABS, WITH a snort StlrrlD and
very recklessly.
The great emperors mounts were always
Arabians. The President is quite as siren
uous in the saddle as he is elsewhere The
bay gelding knows his moods and promptly
responds to them, whether it be flying
gallop or the taking. Of six-foot piece of
timber The Presidents favorite mount is q
famous timber topper and had a liberal
education in the hunts in the GeneEsee val
ley before he became the property of his
present master. He was bred in Canada,
where SO many good jumpers are bred the
formula Of breeding being cross of the
thoroughbred with a native mare The
thoroughbred blood gives elasticity courage
and endurance, while the native blood i'm
parts strength and bone
President Roosevelt's love for the saddle
has proved infectious. Even Secretary
Taft has not proved immune, nor has Sec
rotary Root. They may frequently be seen
at his side riding through the National
Park and along the beautiful thoroughfares
with which the city is bounded 1t is not
recorded that the Secretary of War has in
dulged thus far in taking any very high
pieces of timber, but his seat is good and
In courage he is not wanting. He likes to
gallop over the ground a a lively pace as
does his colleague, Secretary Root The last
named is fine horseman and greatly enjoys
his outings in the saddle. Among public
men there is no more coura geous and dash
ing horseman than Senator Spooner of Wis
consin. Had the senator turned his atten-
ton to trick horsemanship the bows a t
Fort Myer might well look to their Iau-
rels.
He is absolutely without fear without
which quality one can never be an accom-
pllshed horseman, and sits horse as IL it
were part of him. In company with his wife
and son, who are accomplished equestrians
he recently rode 1900 miles through yell
lOwstone Park, feeling but slight fatigue
The only member of the Supreme Court de-
voted to the saddle is Justice Brown While
a resident Of Detroit he could be seen near
~ every morning taking an outing on a
handsome and spirited bay gedIng, and the
reason he now gives for not resuming the
practice at this point is that he has been
admontshed that the asphalt Is dangerous
and fall at his time Of life might put an
end to his usefulness. A devotee Of the sad
die who outranks and antedates all named
or the younger generation, is Assistant Ii
brarian Spofford On nearly every fair day
he rides on horseback to and from his Of
ce, and in spring and summer may be seen
riding on his bay geldng In the parks and
on the public roads of the District When
the distinguished American historian Ran
croft. was alive and In health the two were
lnseparable In the saddle and We're marked
figures always.