The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-12-29
WOODEN MOUNT PRACTICE
Automobile Has by No Means Dis.
placed the Four Footed Friend OF
Man In the Grsees Of tho rso.
pie Of the Capital.

Capitol. beginning IN tho vicinity OF
Dupont Circle, and extending across
Rock Greek Bridge. past the Zoologic-
al Park. and on into the beautiful sub
urban country adjoining. there runs
a bride path. II In not distinctly
known as such. In fact, II Is road
used for other purposes as well. but
from the first OF October until Febru-
airy the galloping hoofs OF horses strike
Its surface with a rcsounding ring un-
I'll the city limits are reached and then
beyond send the soft dirt OF the coun-
try road scurrying into white clouds.
It is popular at presen, 10 declare
that the automobile has thrown the
horse In the shade when II comes to
traversing country roads in search
OF exercise and pleasure But this
cannot be true II the suburbs OF WASH
ington tell truthful story The
President and Mrs, Roosevelt are not
the only residents of the district adj
dicted to the healthful sport OF horse
back riding. although their practice In
this line Is so well established that
many persons habitually gather near
the Western High School. In George
town. at 4'oclock on sunshlny days to
see them take their mounts.
Nearly all of the diplomats ride. and
large percentage Of society women.
Riding masters are kept busy from
the beginning to the end OF the season.
Teaching the art OF equestrianism
is quite a different thing In washing
ton than in any other city, remarked
veteran Of the profession. who for
eight years has taught the elite Of the
Capitol the skill OF keeping ones mount
and of handling reins and whip when
perched upon lively horse.
"There Is one popularity about
Washington he said. Your people
insist upon riding horses with mettle.
even as beginners. 1t Is quite common
to laugh at the animals generally be-
| longing to riding schools. but II will
not take you long to realize that these
horses are not really sleepy creatures,
/ why? Because there Is a demand for
a different kind OF n sadler. II 1t
| were not 50. there might be greater
/ profit In the profession of riding mas
I ter, for stamina In horse flesh comes
| high. But such your people must have.
| And so they have II. The President
| sets the pace and the others follow
He recently purchased two beautiful
! chestnuts at the cost Of several hun
dred dollars apiece, but one Of these
was too light In weight, and had to
be exchanged making an additional
! expense.
! The Washington debutante who de-
/ termines TO become horsewoman has
an Interesting experience before ner
| for one could scarcely find more beau
| tIful country than that which sur
rounds the Capitol. But the Wash
| ington debutante generally has be-
come horsewoman before she be-
comes a debutante. This was true
OF Mrs Nicholas Longworth, who had
hre first riding lessons in Washington
before her father had risen to fame
but was serving his country as Assist
ant Secretary Of the Navy.
The school girls who will be the
debutantes Of tomorrow come to the
riding academy In droves, and such
fearful times as they do have. First
seated upon divans, or The floor Of the
reception room artistically fitted ur
or in the hay loft over the stables they
devour lettuce sandwiches and Eng
lish breakfast tea In large quantl-
ties, for they are full Of eageness
and eagerness in schoolgirls is apt tc
create appetite.
Then every girl is taken into the sta
bles, where she Is shown saddle Sc.
curely fastened to a wooden horse
and asked to jump upon 1t. She Is
shown how to grip the two horns oi
the saddle with her knees; instructed
where to keep her eyes, between the
! imaglnery horses two ears; told al
ways to keep her left shoulder forward
in order, that II, by any chance, she
Is thrown from her mount she will
light face downward, and thus be able
to break her fall by her outstretched
arms, and then the four reins arc
placed In her hands.
Learning TO ride horseback nova
days is not the simple task OF stick
ing on and turning your horses head