7^ RACE RIDING. 



I must content myself, in this chapter, with noting down 

 a few hints and practical remarks, which I trust the novice 

 will find useful. 



Standing in tlie Stirrups. — At starting, the jockey of 

 course sits down in the saddle, but as soon as the horse 

 has got into his stride, he should " stand in the stirrups." 

 This attitude is assumed in order to enable the rider 

 to conform to the movements of the horse in the best 

 possible manner, as will be explained on page 185. The 

 body should be slightly bent forward, and should be free 

 from all stiffness. The seat should be somewhat raised 

 from the saddle, not stuck out over the cantle, without 

 any up-and-down motion. The knee should be very 

 little bent, in fact only sufficient to give the joint some 

 "play." The heels should be a trifle depressed, while 

 the feet should be kept parallel to the sides of the horse, 

 and should be placed well " home " in the stirrups. The 

 legs and feet should be kept perfectly steady. The 

 head should be held well up, the eyes looking straight 

 between the horse's ears, the shoulders down, the elbows 

 nearly straight, and the hands on each side of the 

 withers, with a good firm hold on the reins, so that the 

 horse may go w^ell up to his bridle. The fingers, wrists, 

 elbows and shoulders should be kept as loose and pliable 



