124 IRiMno IRccoUections an^ XTurf Stories 



his horse from him, never having loosed his head, 

 both acting together. One great pecuHarity about 

 horses which Fordham rode was, they always finished 

 straight, and seldom changed their legs. Now, 

 with Archer riding long, he invariably got up the 

 horse's neck, very often finishing with a loose rein, 

 consequently his mounts frequently changed their 

 legs a time or two. Anyone who knows anything 

 about riding at all must agree that every time a 

 horse changes his leg he shortens his stride, and 

 loses at least a neck, sometimes more, the distance 

 depending upon the action of the animal : some 

 short, quick-striding horses wouldn't lose so much as 

 others with a long stride. I don't wish my readers 

 to think from these remarks that I am in any way 

 running Archer down as a jockey. As I have 

 said before, I look on him as a marvellous man, with 

 the one disadvantage I have just mentioned. It is, 

 of course, a matter of opinion, but I myself give 

 Fordham the palm, as I think the finish is certainly 

 the most important part of the race. 



Fred Archer was very fond of hunting, and he 

 was a real good man over a country. He came to 

 Melton Mowbray most seasons, when the Earl of 

 Wilton used to mount him. I invariably met him 

 out ; and sometimes Lord Wilton mounted me when 



