The last great Victorian courtesan

My dressage clinic this weekend has been postponed, so nothing to report on that front. Had a rather "exciting" ride on Molly this morning, who has spent the last week sitting in the paddock and comfort eating. I threw the sidesaddle on her and off we went at a canter, except she wouldn't stop....! I pulled her left (which I now know NOT to do) and she kept cantering but was changing at the back constantly, now I also know why Robin says flying changes are a bit unsettling LOL. I had a moment when I thought I was going to hit the sand but we eventually came to a stop. My neighbour observed wrly that I was very brave, that all the horses have gone a bit nutty since the earthquake and everyone else has been chucking them on the lunge first...

Anyway... some time ago I read a book about some of the great courtesans and I came across Catherine Walters (1839-1920), known as "Skittles" to her friends. She was famous for her riding skill and she was equally renowned for the perfect fit of her habits, into which she had to be sewn. Whenever she appeared in Hyde Park, aristocratic women would rush to copy her dress, whilst their husbands would speculate as to whether she could possibly be wearing undergarments beneath her skin tight clothing...

Catherine "Skittles" Walters

 There is a book about her life and I am keeping an eye on Alibris to see if one surfaces, she sounds like a  fascinating character and I would love to find more photos of her riding out.