Page:Annals of horsemanship (1792).djvu/131

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As bridles begin to shake, so I may well say, saddles totter. The Tartars must not think themselves the only Moderns who ride without them. It was but two years since, at Ascot Heath, that the thing was attempted and atchiev'd over the Course there. Two Gentlemen rode a match, and, wonderful as it appeared to modern Britons, one was seen to arrive at the ending Post without his bridle, and the other without his saddle. The latter Gentleman had not even a Beef Steak to sit upon, nothing but a pair of corderoys between him and the Horse's back, the saddle following him behind like a pillion.

By these proficiencies then let us hope, Sir, we may knock off soon a very useless portion of expence—overtake a Hun, and perhaps catch a Tartar.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

John Hickathrift.