Evening star., 1925-02-15

u n ACHINE-GUN companies in
Nh wartime went under the
E rather suggestive title of
suicide clubs" but there is
group of young men at
Fort Myer, Va, across the Potomac
from the Capital, whose daily grind
rather entities them to a similar des-
ignation. although they go about
their work with a nonchalance that is
deceptive to tho uninitiated.
They are the members OF the I'd
Squadron, Sd Cavalry. United States
Army, commanded by Maj. J. NJ. VAIN
wright, trained for the weekly Win
ter stunt" exhibitions at tho fort,
which are topped OF by q summer
tour of all the principal horse shows
In this part Of the country.
For the veteran members Of the
squadron, the days work Is Just a
case OF keeping their hand In: for
tho rockies II means getting hardened
to a reckless bravery where the
slightest misjudgment may bring
broken bones-or worse-under Hying
hoofs.
But. veteran or rookie, they're all
out there taking bumps and applause
for Fort Myer IL q cavalry post where
the Army lives up to its tradition of
having horsemen second to none in
In the service are going through their
PAGES and showing the recruits what
1t takes to make a real" cavalry
man, the latter, with no less fervor
are straining every effort to reach the
heights and belong"
The World. War did its best to
shelve the cavalryman. After the
early days, when British, French and
German horsemen performed bril-
made cavalry superhuous, and by the
time America entered the conflict the
cry was for men. and with every
ounce Of ship tonnage in demand for
troops and supplies there was no
room for horses
Consequently, cavalryman after
cavalryman reluctantly shed his
crossed sabers for the insignia Of
some othAr branch of service which
permitted overseas duty.
But now the cavalry once more
has come into it's own, and at Fort
Myer, a joint cavalry and artillery
post, commanded by Col. Hamilton s.
Hawkins. a cavalryman Of the old
school, the troopers are put through
the same rigid course that always
has marked this service, and the
trick riding feature is developed more
extensively than elsewhere.
TWO years is the average time re-
quired to make" a stunt rider,
and the skill attained by these
youngsters Is evidenced in the fact
that the cavalry ranks furnish many
circus performers Their training Is
started at the absolute bedrock Of
riding fundamentals.
The recruit is provided with a. gen.
tie, we'll trained horse, and. taking
his place in the saddle, is required
simply to hold the pommel in the
left hand, cantle in the right, and
kick his right foot free from the
stirrup.
Endless times this is done, and
then comes the next step, which is
simply a continuation-the right leg
being swung across the Group and
alongside the left and the trooper
standing erect in the left stirrup.
The third step. for all practical
purposes, Is the completion of this
ARG the cavalryman's body has
been making, the grip on pommel and
cantle being retained, while the left
foot remains In its stirrup and the
right leg is swung underneath the
horse, the riders body forming a
sort Of IA"
Always the neophyte Is forced to
repeat these maneuvers countless
times, until hts mentors are satisfied.
l. ~ X X y
THEN the fun begins. The trooper
is taught to vault, and that is
one accomplishment that Is not ad-
vised for children.
The horse is put into a gallop. and
| the rider, swinging out of the saddle,
of which he retains hold, leaps to the
ground, runs alongside the animal
Tor q few steps. and then vaults back
| into the saddle-or anywhere in that
region in which he is lucky enough
| to land.
Next comes the scissors" which 10