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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 24, 24 December 1874, Page 3

How Children Should, be taught to ride. — In the first lesson the boy or girl shouldnot be allowed to take hold of the bridal at all. A good example in this respect is presented by the practice of professional circus riders. Their children, boys and girls, commence their series of equestrain education at about ten years of age, under the instructions of a strict, sometimes a very severe, teacher. I have had the advantage at the Agricultural Hall of watchinsr the whole course of instruction of the children of professional circus, riders, from day to day, from the first elementary lesson to the finishing touches of le haute ecole. The circus children are of course taught to ride entirely by balance. The lessons are given in the circus ring, on a pony trained to canter at an even pace. Sometimes a soft pad is used, sometimes the animal is bare-backed; but in either case, until the pupils are far advaced, they are not allowed any bridle. The pony is fastened down with flap-reins, the inner rein, that is the rein near to the inside of the circle, being buckled shorter then the outer rein, so that it can only canter slowly, while the teacher restrains the pony with a lunging-rein, and urges it when necessary with a driving whip. The child, whether boy or girl, commences by riding astride, is taught to sit in an upright, easy position, just like the Greek equestrain statues in the Greek Court at the Crystal Palace, with the shoulders well thrown back, each hand resting on each knee, or with the arms crossed over the breast. Thus no -trick of holding on by the bridle or leaning forward over the pommel can be acquired. — Cassell's " Book of the Horse."

A fop in company, wanting his servant, called out. "Where is thatr blockhead of mine?" "On your shoulders, sir," said a lady.