Page:Equitation.djvu/424

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riding-academy of Mr. Henry L. de Bussigny, ... and asked him for both oral and practical demonstration of his methods.

Owing to the presence of Mr. de Bussigny's riding-classes, the Board could not get more than two or three hours per day of his time; and on Saturday, the 10th, he was too much occupied to give us any session. The Board has held meetings of three hours each day but that Saturday to this date.

Owing to the very limited knowledge of English of Mr. de Bussigny, and the difficulty with which he expressed himself, the members of the Board were troubled to understand him. ... He presented papers to the Board, which satisfied the members that he had been a lieutenant of French cavalry. He also claims (and the Board believes him) to be a pupil of Baucher and Raabe, and to have been a close student of horsemanship for over forty years.

He is certainly a most able horseman.

At his own suggestion, he explained his system by answers to the following questions:

1st question. Who is the founder of the system?

A. It was founded by myself after a careful study of all the books published on equestrianism, and after over forty years' practical work in the field. It was eclectic and thoroughly practical. He took as types the systems of Baucher and Count d'Aure. The former, he explained, had a good system for the training of circus horses, but it was too elaborate and thoroughly unfitted for the military service.

The latter based his system on a severe military discipline, but evolved it from a very limited experience. A thorough horseman must know his horse intimately and adapt the treatment to the temperament of the animal.

Q. 2. In what countries and in what campaigns has the author applied this system?

A. The system is a matter of growth with him, but he began it in the cavalry service at the battle of Solferino; has seen service in Mexico, during Maximilian's occupation; also