Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-18
THE EUlL-LENGTH STIRRUP
ADVANTAGES OF THE COUNTRY
STYLE OF EoUEsTRIANIsM.
Much Safer and More Comfortable,
Horseman Claims, Than the
Imported British Fashion.

In view OF the recent sad horseback
accident In this city, and the further fact
that this healthful and exhilarating recre-
alton has been popularized by the Presi-
dents ardent participation therein" COM
mented local riding expert, 'ft Is to be
regretted that the English short stirrup
style of riding still obtains in some d.
visions OF the fashionable circles, and that
the safer and more rational full-length
stirrup is not generally accepted among
all classes Of horseback riders.
THE President rides with q good, full
length stirrup, and Is an expert rider. hav-
ing been initiated In the cowboy style
when ranchman on the plains. He is,
however, heavy man, and the long stir
rup-strap is not as noticeable to the criti-
cal observer as in the instance of the
slender young United States cavalrymen
who gallop through the capitals streets,
and who ride with leg fully extended, the
ball of the foot and tips Of the toes only
touching the stirrup cup.
Safer, More Comfortable.
1T is almost impossible to dislodge the
average good rider adopting the American
style from horses back unless the ami
NAL falls also. as the fully extended leg,
together with the riders skill in main
tanning his equilibrium. holds him to the
horses back as firmly as a we'll adjusted
eiothespin holds a drying saddle cloth
to the line. The riders body. however,
is entirely free from stiffness. adapts its
poise to the motion and ever-changing
position Of the moving horse and even
when the latter will shy with batk-break-
ing aoruptness clear across a wide road.
q - iond to
keep his seat, even though he loses his
temper momentarily at his mounts unex-
pected side-stepping
The everyday English style saddle is
also not conducive to a firm and secure
seat, and where the short-stirrup is adopt-
ed the rider Is inclined to move from
side to side, while most of the weight
of his body comes upon his stirrup-strap
as he bobs up and down ungracefuly. in
stead of upon the animals back firmly
as In the American or cavalryman style.
If our horse soldiers rode with a short
stirrup in parade carrying their full ac-
couterments. 1t would be fun, for the
spectators on the sidewalks, to observe
the humping matches and other stunts
which would follow as matter of course.
Advice to Beginners.
THE cavalry-style saddle, however. is
not fashionable for afternoon riding, and
its comfortable shape is not likely to be
adopted by our gentlemen riders, who
prefer the fuller and rounder English
model. All beginners. irrespective Of the
style Of saddle used. should start their
riding experience with stirrup- strap well
extended, and II their instructor urges
the bent knee not only should his advice
be disregarded, but he should be displaced
by one who favors the safer mode. 1t
may take a lite longer to acquire per-
nJ1ft I'd !,
the leg extended fully. but when 1t comes
to safety, freedom from future accidents
and ability to stand galloping and long,
hard rides, the rider who has acquired the
American style as against the English
will distance the latter in most Instances
of test, and in nearly all cases will re-
turn home the fresher. The all-ddy rides
of the plainsman are possible only because
of his free yet secure manner of sitting
his horse, as the humping and strain of
the English style would tire out both man
and beast long before camp was reached
at night"