3rd May 1833

Maldonado
Every person, even it is said to the beggars, ride here; it is thought quite out of the question to walk even so short a distance. As a proof, how very common horses are, the price of a saddle will buy three good ones. It is a most beautiful exhibition to see the boys riding on bare-backed colts & chasing each other over hill & dale, & twisting about in a manner which no one till he has seen it would believe a horse capable of. Their method of riding is certainly the most perfect & graceful, for showing the full power of a horse in all its actions.