After a short time Phil found himself able to stand erect with
more confidence. Now, his instructor, with a snap of her little
whip, started the gray to walking slowly about the ring, Phil
holding tightly to the bridle rein to steady himself.
"Begin moving about now. Tread softly and lightly. That's it.
You've caught it already."
"Why not put a pad on the horse's back, as I've seen some
performers do?" he questioned.
"No. I don't want you to begin that way. Start without a pad,
and you never will have to unlearn what you get. That's my
advice.
I'm going to set him at a gallop now. Stand straight and lean
back
a little."
The ring horse moved off at a slow, methodical gallop.
Phil promptly fell off, landing outside the ring, from where he
picked himself up rather crestfallen.
"Never mind. You'll learn. You are doing splendidly,"
encouraged Dimples, assisting him to mount again. "There's the
press agent, Mr. Dexter, watching you. Now do your prettiest.
Do you know him?"
"No; I have not met him. He's the fellow that Teddy says blows
up his words with a bicycle pump."
"That's fine. I shall have to tell him that. Remember, you
always want to keep good friends with the press agent.
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