DRIVING, RIDING, HUNTING, RACE-RIDING 403 



standing up in his stirrups during the early stages of the 

 contest, for the weight then came upon a different set of 

 muscles. We all know what a relief it is after carrying a 

 weight, like a pail of water, in one hand to change it into 

 the other ; the weight to be carried is just the same, but on 

 the new muscles coming into play it seems as if it had been 

 halved, and an extra exertion would be quite possible if 

 suddenly called for. No doubt the horse feels this when 

 his rider sits down on his back for the finish, but there is 

 no such relief for him with the American seat. 



When finishing in the old style much can be done by 

 the jockey himself, if he can time himself exactly to fit the 

 horse's stride, in propelling his own weight forward, and 

 thus easing the horse. This can easily be tested by sitting 

 in a wooden chair, facing the back, and then grasping it 

 tightly with the knees endeavouring to move it on in a 

 series of jumps. It will be found quite possible to move it 

 a few inches, although the feet do not come in contact with 

 the ground. The energy of Archer's finish was largely due 

 to this, for, lapping his long legs round the horse, he got 

 such a purchase as must have considerably lightened the 

 horse's task. In this again the American seat can take 

 no part. 



If the American seat possesses the advantages claimed 

 for it surely the times in which races are run should far 

 surpass those of former days, and yet this is not the case. 

 In spite of vastly improved racecourses, with turf like that 

 of lawns, and straighter tracks, and all the money and care 

 which is being bestowed in breeding the race-horse, the 

 times in which races are run remain very much the same. 

 It may be indeed that the American seat is the cause of 

 the non-improvement, since riders cannot now control their 

 horses so well as formerly. 



The supreme test of the average of races won, to races 

 ridden, also betrays that there are no first-class jockeys now 

 riding, though " amongst the blind a one-eyed man is king." 

 The fatal craving for " getting the rails" which now yearly 

 loses so many races, from the jockey getting shut in and 

 unable to find an opening in time, is simply a consequence 



