90 THE MERRY GEE-GEE 



Seat. — The stirrup should be at such 

 a length that the leg from the knee 

 downwards is at about the same degree 

 of perpendicularity as the body. This is 

 a generally accepted old theory which 

 does to w^ork on, but with Archer (my 

 model jockey), who rode extra long, and 

 Tod Sloan riding extra short, one is in 

 a bit of a quandary. Let your boy pupil 

 ride rather long to begin with ; he can 

 shorten his leathers a hole or two in a 

 few years if he chooses, there is no set 

 rule. Do not force him to ride with his 

 toe in the stirrup ; at present he will feel 

 and be more secure with his foot home 

 in the stirrup, and can practise toe in and 

 heel down, a la inilitaire and the show- 

 ring, later on, and at his leisure, 



A graceful seat in the saddle is not to 

 be acquired by rule of thumb — you can't 

 alter formation ; but keep your elbows to 



