The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-05-10
'KINCFISHER'
TO ENTER RACE
THIS YEAR
Col. TOmpkins' Beautiful
Arab a Contender In
1922 Race

When the prize saddle horses
that will compete in the 1922 En-
durance Ride trot out of the stab
les at Fort Ethan Allen, Burling-
ton, Vermont, at the beginning OF
the annual equine classic next
| October, New England is going to
be more fully represented than
ever before. And Vermont, whose
hill sand valleys have been declar-
ed the most ideal course that has
yet been found for this ride, will
have some of the finest horsef1esh
in the country upholding the laur-
els of the Green Mountain State.
New England felt disappointed
last year when this annual ride,
which was born in the New Eng
land hills and which has attracted
the attention of the horsemen the
world over to such an extent that
similar rides are now being held in
Colorado and in various European
countries, was staged in the
South. But New England horse
men, eager to do their full part for
the improvement of the horsef1esh
of the country as we'll as for the
sport the riders provide, sent their
horses South and cheerfully COW
cred the killing course that had
been laid out. New England hors-
es won that ride, recouping the
laurels that had been wrested from
her the year before by Maj. Stan
ley Koch of Washington, d. c., on
his grade thoroughbred mare Mile
Denise.
This year the Southeners and
many army officers who are inter-
ested in the ride are going to do
their utmost to again carry off the
beautiful silver trophy. the medal
and the cash prize that goes to
the victor. But New England is
determined that the Mounted Ser
vice Cup will stay here through an
other year at least, and so to this
end the training of a considerable
number of horses has already be-
gun.
One magnificent horse that did
not compete last year will again
take the field next Fall. That is
Col. Frank Tompkins' beautiful
Arab charges "Kingfisher," veteran
of the campaign in Mexico a few
years ago and the horse taking
second money in the 1919 ride and
finishing the course in 1920. Both
times "Kingfsher" defeated
"Crabbet," winner of the cup last
year.
In all senses of the word,
"Kingfsher' is a little veteran, and
little" is used advisedly, for he
stands only IA hands 8 inches.
Carrying his present owner, he
crossed the international boundry
line into Mexico on March Is,
1916, in pursuit of Villa and his
band of outlaws.
From March Is to March &c, he
was ridden 219 miles, and from
March 81 to April 18th, 1862 miles,
across the deserts, over the noun
tains, and through the waterless
wastes of Northern Chihuahau,
carrying his rider, food for man
and horse, in addition to the usual
pack an officer must take when
operating in a hostile country far
from the base or line of communi-
cations; load well over 200 lbs.
After marching 219 miles in IL
days on less than half forage, on
March 81 he led a small band of
horsemen in a dash after Villa,
which ended in the fight of Par
raj on April II, covering a distance
of 1862 miles in 13 days. In this
drive he had but little grain, and
that, corn, which he had never be-
fore eaten, no hay, and what dead
grass he could get during the nioht
while tethered to a short chain.
He neootiated the SHOWS of the
mountain passes, he sweated
through the noon day heat of the
lower levels. and he shivered at
niqht from the icy winds of those
hiph attitudes.
speaking OF "klnghSherS per-
formance in Mexico, Col. Tomp-
kinS says:
"He never showed any signs of
fatigue, never lost courage, and
was a constant inspiration to his
rider. He lost but little flesh. al
ways moved with a quick. spr'ngv
step. with head and tail alertlv
raised. animated and watchful. In
battle he was fearless. being quite
content 10 keep on the firing line
without fuss or objection"
From April 22 to June "King-
fisher" was ridden 300 miles, but
under better conditions than he eX-
perienced previous to April u.
He went lame but once. due 70
"A thorn in the frog, but he did
his work just the same. He was