The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-10
Popularity Of Equitation
 Increases Tn Birn1in6hdn1

less primitive style for many years. Conditions, of course, throughout the United States are not so generally adapt
 ed for fox hunting as in the Brit ish Isles, which could be dropped in one of the larger states of the union, where an exploring party would have to be organized to discover them; still there are large sections in these southern states admirably suited to fox-hunting and which, when they are taken up. farmed, cultivated and fenced, as they eventually will ee by wealthy people and gentle men farmers, it will be popular here as in England and Melton Mowbrays. Market Harboroughs and Leamingtons, with their fashionable hotels and hunt ing boxes, will crop up. We shall see the hunting season at these places as eagerly anticipated as it Is in the old country, and the centers wherein they are located thriving communities, be- cause of the fashionable and wealthy fox-hunting people who patron!ze them. But that is a flight of fancy-such as occasionally is indulged by members of the Riding club, which was or ganized primarily for the purpose of giving an afternoon of pleasure each week to q group Of horse-loving men and
 
 much interest has been manifested in the sport horses that have been standing idle in their stalls while their owners sought pleasure in touring cars. are be- ing exercised and many falling under the influence of the fad are negotiating for gated saddle horses, while some superb new ones are already Tn use. This read mess to take hold of the fad eneour- ages those who are interested in the fu- ture of the horse to expect something beyond the mere eight-nlile outing along Q favorite road which was at first the widest experience that the club enjoyed. The croGs-country ride is now demanded by the riders, and the course these beau- tiful Friday afternoons leads through prettier stretches of country than are dreamed of by the merely motor-mad. The next step anticipated by the mem- bers as a club is hurdling, which is not an unknown accomplishment to certain members, but has not been attempted yet as a club. Under the green arch of forest pines. up craggy hills and long, narrow bridle paths and through little shallow streams fringed with mountain violets the line of horsemen and horse women follow the leader through bits of wood that the most daring motorist or driver of coaches would not essay.
 The membership of the Riding club includes MT. Richard w. Mas sey. president; MT. Murray Brown, director of routes, and Dr. and Mrs s. l.. Ledbetter, Mrs. Henry B. Gray, Mrs. Richard Massey, Mrs. Viola Redin. Mrs. W. P. G. Harding, Mrs Richard Johns- ton, Miss Louise Rushton. Miss Mary Campbell, Miss Myrtle Miles, Miss Mar jorie Weatherly Miss Mary Kirkpatrick, Miss Mary Long. MT. M. Paul Philips. MT. George G. Crawford, Dr. William Long, MT. Burr Ferguson. Mir. F. L. rr T,t,, Cx,nff Mabry and Mir. and Mrs. William c. Sterrett.
 By no means are all of the devotees of rse-ba clSng owners of their steeds. However, Mrs. Ledbetters beautiful bay. Captain Jacs,' is thoroughbred. and Miss Mary Kirkpatrick's is one of the noblest and most beautiful specimens of the Kentucky gaited saddle horse; MT. Crawford's "Red" is also one of this type, while MT. Phillips Bob" never falls to elicit admiration. Mrs. Gray also rides her own horse. a beauty which She manages to perfection. and Miss Mary Campbell has one of the most splendid specimens of equine beauty in Alabama. Miss Marjorie Weatherly, who with Miss KirlSpatric is the only member of the club who rides with side saddles, has her own mount Dan" is Mir. Mabry's horse, and few people in Birmingham have not noted this graceful fellow with Mir. Mabry astrde him. His dainty, precise manner of lifting his feet sug gests the parking of the high school norse Mir Massey's Jerry is a coal black fellow full of spirit and style. as becomes a we'll bred beast. and is han lied by his master with the certainty of | machine One of the prettiest ami nals n the city is Miss LoufDe Rusiton's !. nare. Josephine, whose coat is like
 Jack satin and whose gracetil neck. lit-