PRINTED BY KELLY’S DIRECTORIES LTD.,
LONDON AND KINGSTON.
PREFACE.
The first edition of this book was the result of seven years’ experience of riding hundreds of horses in India, Ceylon, Egypt, China and South Africa; the most trying animals being those of which I was the rough-rider at my husband’s horse-breaking classes. Since that edition came out, I have hunted a good deal, chiefly, in Leicestershire and Cheshire, and have taught many pupils, both of which experiences were of special advantage to me in preparing this new edition; because English ladies regard riding, principally, from a hunting point of view, and the best way to supplement one’s education, is to try to teach.
The directions about side-saddles and seat are the outcome of practical work and fortunate opportunities; and I hope they will be as useful to my readers as they have been to my pupils. Although I have ridden, when abroad, some of the worst buckjumpers that could be found in any country, I have never “cut a voluntary,” thanks to the adoption of a seat and saddle which gave the necessary grip. Of course I have had “purls,” when horses have “come down” with me out hunting; and on one occasion in China, when a horse which I mounted for the first time, reared and came over.
I have taken Figs. [32] to [51], [71] to [78] and [Fig. 90] from Riding and Hunting, and Figs. [147] and [148] from Points of the Horse. My husband has written Chapter XXII.