Men in uniform are riding in a riding-school, while a dismounted man holding a long whip stands on the extreme left, saying, "keep your seat sirs!!"; on his sleeve are three chevrons and a crown. Above his head is a placard: 'royal salloon taylor riding to brentford by mr my--ars being his first apearance in that character tumbling vaulting &c &c. ' in the foreground a man lies on his back, clutching his posteriors and exclaiming "oh! my ars - my ars. " his mount stands over him, kicking violently and looking round viciously. The other riders are all in difficulties: one (right) has lost his stirrups and clutches his horse's mane, saying, "what, i suppose you thinks to frighten me by going backwards. " on the left three men are being run away with, the most prominent puts his arms round his horse's neck. Behind, a man raises a cane, saying, "come up neddy". In the background on the extreme right a horseman blows a trumpet. Above an archway is inscribed 'cowlings stables horses broke'. 17 july 1794. Etching. Date: 1794. Dimensions: Height: 262 mm; Width: 352 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Cowling. Collection: British Museum. John Gilpin the second, or city light horse volunteers performing their evolutions. (BM 1868,0808.6357)
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