The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-07-17
HORSES LONG TRIP.
Army Officer Will Ride Arabian
Steed 5000 Miles.
UNCLE SAM TO FURNISH RIDER

Homer Davenport's Horse, Nejdran,
Will Be Ridden From Portland, Ore,
10 Morris Plains, N. 1.-THE Purpose
70 Test Endurance Of Arab stssds.
Homer Davenport knows the differ
ence between wild geese and tame
geese. That was proved recently
when he was called as an expert wit
ness before the board Of United States
appraisers in New York city to pass
upon the comparative wildness Of i'm
ported geese from Canada.
Mr.. Davenport also says that he
knows the difference between a good
horse and 4 bad one. This knowledge
he proposes to demonstrate to the sat
iefaction Of the United States govern
ment by allowing his imported Ara
bian stallion Nejdran to be ridden by
a cavalry lieutenant from Portland.
Ore. to the Davenport farm at Morris
Plains. N. j.. says the New York Sun.
He expects the horse to average forty
miles a day over the whole 3,181 miles.
Some time ago he went over to Ara
bia and took some long rides on the
desert on the backs Of little Arabian
horses. With him there went a man
who weighs 21O pounds and is six
feet four inches tall in his stockings.
One day this companion Of Mr.. Daven-
port rode a little mare over the desert
at a gallop for six hours. The horse
carried Just 300 pounds and came into
camp fresh as a June rose. That con-
vinced Mr.. Davenport Of the merits OF
Arabian horses, and he bought some.
brought them to the United States and
started a farm at Norris Plains.
One Of these Arabians was Nejdran.
and his pedigree, duly signed with
Arabian flourishes and the seals Of a
pasha or two, came over In Mr.. Daven-
ports trunk. Nejdran had been the
property Of Captain Gainsford Of the
English army. He was played In the
International polo matches In England
in 1904 and came out sound Of wind
and limb. Twelve years is the age of
Nejdran, and he Is fourteen hands two
inches high, all chestnut in color.
When Mr.. Davenport exhibited him
at the Lewis and Clark exposition In
Portland, Ore, in the summer Of 1905
Nejdran made a hit. He was pro.
nounced perfect by Tom Matlock OF
Hepner, Ore, and DR.. McGinnis OF
Newcastle, Ky, authorities in whom
Mr.. Davenport puts much faith.
A few months ago Mr.. Davenport
wrote to President Roosevelt that IL
the interests OF the cavalry service hi
was willing that an army officer shoulC
make a severe test of the Arabian
breed by riding Nejdran from Port
land to the home farm. No such tes
had ever been put upon a horse in tn,
United States, said Mr.. Davenport
and he thought a ride such as tina
would open the eyes of the army to tn,
value Of an Arabian horse as a slayer
President Roosevelt jumped at til,
suggestion. He communicated will
Major General j. f. Bell, chief of staff
and through the Office Of General Bel
arrangements were made for the rid
ing Of Nejdran. Second Lieutenant f
r. Warren McCabe, at present a stu
dent officer In the cavalry school a
Fort Riley. Kan, was selected to maxi
the ride. General Bell says that tn
test Of endurance will not be all on tn
horse during the forthcoming trip. l
will be rough on the rider. In a lette
to Mr.. Davenport. General Bell give
his reasons for selecting I.ieutenan
McCabe:
ut would not do to detail q large
heavy man to ride such a horse. Lieu
tenant McCabe is a little less than av
erage size and Is an athlete and gym
mast, with muscles of steel. He is ais
an expert and experienced horsemaI
hailing. l think, from the state Of Vii
ginia. He is devoted to horses, t
~horsemanship and to outdoor life an
Is an experienced rider and polo play
er. l believe he also has the grit an,
! endurance and is a modest boy. H
would take great interest In the under
taking and, l am sure, would max
every endeavor to bring the hors
through In as short a time as would b
, compatible with maintaining him l
good condition."
The chief Of staff would have Ne.
: dran's long journey systematized int
7 a scientific experiment. Lieutenau
McCabe will ride with the exact fel
equipment Of a trooper Of the servic,
He will see to 1t that Nejdran's loa
remains at all times as nearly tn
: same as possible. The rider Is advise
by General Bell to keep daily record
, Of the distance covered, the conditio
! Of the roads and Of the weather and c
what happens to the horse. The weigh
and condition Of rider and mount
= the beginning and end Of the journe
T will be recorded. When 1t Is all owe
General Bell will have In the archive
t data Of considerable value.
Nejdran's exploit will probably fin
q Immortality in the book on Arabia
q horses which Mr.. Davenport Is no,
writing and which will make It's al
pearance some time In the fall. II
has sent abroad for the opinion Of SO,
1 A~nI - 80 I 1-~-