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Etiquette for Equestriennes
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One of our
greatest challenges at Steve’s Book Decor has been stocking a sufficient supply
of vintage etiquette books. Collectors
clamor for mid-20th century books written by Emily Post and Amy
Vanderbilt. While these books were published
several decades ago, their advice about formal dinners, holiday parties, and
wedding invitations remains helpful and timeless.
In 1860, author Florence Hartley
published a ground-breaking work entitled, The Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness. I was delighted to discover that the author
included a chapter for equestriennes. Her
guidance gives insight into the world women navigated a century and a half
ago. I have often wondered how our
great-great-great grandmothers managed to ride a horse with a side saddle. I
discovered that there is not only a correct way to do so, but also an easy way.
As you listen to Ms. Hartley’s words, it
will be helpful to envision the ladies of the 19th century, wearing
restrictive corsets and long, cumbersome skirts, in the style of Scarlett O’Hara,
leaping gracefully into their side saddles, while bestowing charming, dignified
smiles on their gentlemanly escorts.
And so, here is an excerpt from…
The
Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness
By
Florence
There is no
accomplishment more graceful, pleasing, healthy, and lady-like, than that of
riding well. Avoiding, at the same time, timidity and the "fast"
style, keeping within the bounds of elegant propriety, gracefully yielding to
the guidance of your escort, and keeping your seat easily, yet steadily, are
all points to be acquired.
To ride
well is undoubtedly an admirable qualification for a lady, as she may be as
feminine in the saddle as in the ball room.
A lady,
unless she lives in the most retired parts of the country, should never ride
alone, without an escort. In the cities, not only is it unfeminine, but
positively dangerous, for a lady to ride unaccompanied by a gentleman, or a man
servant.
Although it
is impossible, within the limits of this little volume, to give many hints upon
riding, a few may not be amiss. Like many other accomplishments, a teacher is
necessary, if you wish to attain perfection, and no written directions can make
you a finished horse-woman, unless you have had tuition and practice.
1. In
mounting you are desired, gentle Amazon, to spring gracefully into your saddle,
with the slight assistance of a hand placed beneath the sole of the shoe,
instead of scrambling uncouthly to your "wandering throne," from a
high chair, as is frequently done by those who have not been properly
instructed. You should stand nearly close to the horse, level with the front of
the saddle, and taking the reins slackly in your right hand, you should place
that hand on the nearest pommel, to secure your balance in rising, and with
your left hand gather up the front of the habit, so as to leave the feet clear.
The
gentleman should place himself firmly, near, but not so near to you as to
impede your rising, and with the same view must hold his head well back, as
should he lose his hat from a whisk of your habit the effect produced is not
good. You should then present your left foot, and the gentleman placing one
hand beneath its sole, and the other above, so as to possess a safe hold,
should, with nice judgment, give just such assistance as will enable you
easily, with a spring, to vault gracefully into the saddle. You will then
arrange your right leg comfortably over the pommel, your cavalier will then
place your left foot in the stirrup and arrange the flow of the habit-skirt,
and all is complete. All this, though so seemingly simple and easy, requires
some little practice to effect neatly and gracefully.
2. Secondly, when riding with a
gentleman, remember that you are best placed on the left side; because in that position the graceful flow of
your habit is seen to the greatest advantage, while it does not inconvenience
the gentleman by getting entangled with his stirrup, nor does it receive the
splashes of his horse.
3. But when you have a double attendance
of cavaliers, (that is, if you have two gentlemen escorts) if you be at all a
timid rider, it may become discreet to "pack" you (forgive the
homely phrase) between the two, since, in this position, you are the most
thoroughly protected from your own horse's shying, or from other horses or vehicles approaching you too
closely. If you be an accomplished equestrian, you will prefer being outside,
and (as has been said) to the left.
Sit erect
in the middle of your saddle, turning your face full towards the head of your
horse. Cling as closely as possible to the saddle, but avoid stooping forward,
or using your hands to keep you in your seat. Nervous motions on horseback are
not only ungraceful, but dangerous, as your horse will not make any allowance
for the delicacy of your nerves, and may prove his objections to a jerking
hand, or a twitching rein, in a most decided and disagreeable manner.
The
riding-dress, or habit, is best made to fit the figure tightly, with tight
sleeves. It may be open in the front, over a neatly fitting chemisette, or
buttoned close to the throat, with a neat linen collar and cuffs. Gauntlet
gloves, of leather, are the most suitable, and must be loose enough to give
your hand perfect freedom, yet not so loose as to interfere with its motions.
Do not wear the skirt too long; it will be dangerous in case of accident, and
it may prove annoying to your horse. Your habit must be made of a material
sufficiently heavy to hang gracefully, and not move too much with the wind. For
a winter habit, a warmly-lined basque, trimmed at the throat and hands with
fur, is an elegant and appropriate dress, and a round cap of the same cloth as
the habit, with a band, and pieces to cover the ears, of fur to match the dress trimmings, makes a
handsome and appropriate dress.
In summer,
your hat should be of fine straw, and slouched to shade the face; in winter, of
felt. The hat may be trimmed with feathers or ribbon, and the shape should be
one to protect the complexion, at the same time graceful and becoming.
Avoid any
display in a riding dress. Choose a material of some dark or neutral tint, and
never use showy trimmings.
Curls, or
any flowing loose style of wearing the hair, will be found exceedingly
troublesome on horseback. Arrange it neatly and compactly under your hat, for
if a stray curl or lock annoys you, or is blown across your eyes by the wind,
your hands will be too fully occupied to remedy the difficulty.
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