and resume her
usual position.

In the flying leap, the seat is to be preserved as in the standing leap;
except, that it is needless, and, indeed, unwise, to advance the body as
the horse rises: because, in the flying leap, the horse's position,
especially in a low leap, is more horizontal than when he rises at the
bar from a halt; and there is great danger of the rider being thrown, if
she lean forward, in case the horse suddenly check himself and refuse
the leap; which circumstance occasionally happens. The waist should be
brought forward, and the body suffered to take that inclination backward
which will be produced by the spring forward of the horse. The horse's
head is to be guided towards the bar, and the reins yielded to him as he
advances.

The proper distance for a horse to run previous to the leap, is from ten
to fifteen yards. If he be well trained, he may be suffered to take his
own pace; but it is necessary to animate an indolent animal into a
short, collected gallop, and urge him, by strong aids, to make the leap.

[Illustration]

DISMOUNTING.

The first operation, preparatory to dismounting, is to bring the horse
to an easy, yet perfect, stop. If the lady be light and dexterous, she
may dismount without assistance, from a middle-sized horse: but, it is
better not to do so if the animal be high.

The right hand of the lady, when preparing to dismount, is to receive
the reins, and be carried to the off crutch of the saddle. The reins
should be held sufficiently tight to restrain the horse from advancing;
and yet not so firm as to cause him to back or rear; nor uneven, lest it
make him swerve.

The lady should next disengage her right leg, clearing the dress as she
raises her knee; remove her right hand to the near crutch; and then take
her foot from the stirrup.

Thus far the process is the same whether the lady dismount with or
without assistance.

If the lady be assisted, the gentleman, or groom, may either lift her
completely off the saddle to the ground; or, taking her left hand in his
left hand, place his right hand on her waist, and, as she springs off,
support her in her descent. She may also alight, if she be tolerably
active, by placing her right hand in that of the gentleman (who, in
this case, must stand at the horse's shoulder), and descend without any
other support. Should there be any objection to, or difficulty found in
alighting by either of these modes, the gentleman, or