194 AVDLVC7, DRIVIlSfG AND KINDRED SPORTS 



wishes to ride in a regimental race, a hunt 

 steeplechase, or a point-to-point, and to whom 

 I should give advice in few words and simple, 

 and chiefly in the negative. Do not ride in 

 too small a saddle ; better by far to carry a 

 pound or two over-weight and ride in a saddle 

 you are at your ease in ; and do not roll about 

 in your saddle more than you can help. Sit 

 still and keep your hands low. Don't let your 

 horse's head go. Don't carry a whip or spurs 

 in a flat race, though in a steeplechase you 

 must do so. Don't, if you are winning, be 

 persuaded to "wait and make a race of it" 

 by any thought of shining in the eyes of the 

 gallery. The nearer you get to the winning- 

 post the stiller you should sit ; above all, don't 

 try to finish. If your horse can't win, you 

 can't do it for him. Do not for a moment 

 forget you are neither Archer nor young- 

 Cannon, nor even Tod Sloan, still less Tom 

 Cannon, Fordham, or Fred Webb. Don't 

 race with every one who comes alongside you, 

 but keep your horse at a little less than his 

 best pace, and at one pace as far as possible. 

 Never mind if you are two or three lengths 

 behind, or even more, the others will come 

 back to you. Don't wait too long, but after 

 the last hurdle, or at the distance post, let the 

 horse stride along. Don't look behind you ; 



