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WESTERN GIRLS WHO BUST BRONCHOS
San Francisco Chronicle Sun, 24 May 1903


THE GROWTH of cross-saddle riding in fashionable equestrian circles in the Easst is apparently due to the example set by the Western school of riders. Not only is this true among women, but it holds good also of the men. President Roosevelt's example having had a great deal to do with the lengthened stirrups and firmer seats which one sees nowadays in the fashionable Eastern parks. President Roosevelt himself is too firmly wedded to the Western style of riding to give it up in favor of the so-called English seat, and there are many young ladies who are finding that the Western equestriennes who adopt the cross-saddle style of riding have had fewer difficulties to overcome in mastering the art.

There are many dashing riders in the West whose feats in the saddle are nothing short of extraordinary. The two daughters of Colonel Zack Mulhall of Oklahoma are probably the best known among these Western riders. Agnes and Lucille Mulhall are not only able to ride gracefully, but they have conquered some of the worst outlaw horses in the West, and Lucille can even rope and "bust" a steer as easily as she can conquer a broncho. This feat is extraordinary for the reason that a ruminating animal's hide is trung on its body much more loosely than is that of a horse. Consequently no matter how secure a seat in the saddle may be, the skin will slide around the frame, and very few cowboys are expert enough to maintain their edquilibrium under such circumstances. Miss Mulhall has ridden many steers, however, after roping the animals, and her feats of skill and daring in the saddle have gained her such fame that she was recently one of the star attractions at the carnival of roping and riding at the World's Fair dedication ceremonies in St. Louis. Only a short time ago this daring girl, in touring her father's ranch looking for stray cattle, started a big coyote. Her five dogs gave the animal a lively chase, and finally cornered it so that Miss Mulhall was enabled to ride up while the animal was at bay and lasso it. The animal attempted to attack her, and it was only skill as a horsewoman that kept her from harm until the dogs had made a kill. Lucille's sister, Agnes, does no go in for such wild feats of daring, but contents herself with performances not less skillful, though less dangerous. She can break bronchos as easily as any cowboy, while some of her pet horses have been trained to perfection, and with their fair rider in the saddle, would make a splendid feature for any circus. Miss Agnes Mulhall gained some fame not long ago by being offered a chance to play in Hoyt's comedy, "A Texas Steer," the part of Bossy being assigned her.

Another dashing rider of the West who holds the championship cuff offered by the citizens of Wyoming a year or so ago, is Mrs. W. H. Irwin. Mrs. Irwin is not only capable of riding the wildest horses caught from the Wyoming ranges, but she would make a skillful jockey on any track in the country. At Cheyenne she rode against a dozen women selected from the best riders in Wyoming, but brought her little cow pony home an easy winner. Mrs. Irwin in appearance is rather frail and delicate looking, but when in the saddle she seems as one with her horse, and it is an inspiring sight to witness her skilled maneuvers in a race.

Arizona had produced several noted riders, one of them being Miss Denia Ellison, who combines bear hunting with her extraordinary work in the saddle. Miss Ellison, wh is a mere slip of a girl, never rides in the vicinity of her home without a rifle strapped to her saddle and a lasso at her pommel. She can throw the rope with a skill which would do credit to any cowboy in the Southwest, and the bear hides in her home are the best evidence of her ability as a rifle shot.






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