Evening star., 1936-01-05
BY REN PEARSE.

ficials and ranking Army officers will
gather next Friday and Saturday to
see the resumption of the military
pageant in the new riding hall at Fort
Myer. Va.
Not held in 1884 because Of the de-
struction of the old hall by fire. the
affair. staged annually since 1922 to
raise funds for recrestional and charit-
able activities at the garrison, PROM
ises this year to eclipse previous shows
in colorful costuming and the list OF
events.
The theme of this years pageant.
heretofore known es the society circus,
will be The Winning of the West. y
Costumes Of the Mexican War period.
Western cowboys. Spanish vaQue-os
and pioneers who crossed the plains
IN covered wagons will give a colorful
atmosphere to what rellearsals indicate
viii be brilliant display of horse
manship
For several weeks the new $4,000
hiding hall at Fort Mye-. home Of the
second squadron Of the 3rd Cavalry
and the first battalion OF the 10Th
Field Artillery. both of which have
won many battle streamers for their
regimental colors. has echoed TO sharp
commands and the thud OF horses
hoofs as scores Of riders practiced the
difncult movements which mark the
show as an outstanding event in
equestrian circles.
Season of Rides to Begin.
The pageant will also inaugurate
the season of Friday rides started many
wears ago in the old riding hall for
the enjoyment of the officers and troops
of the post. but which later attracted
the interest of civilians within a con-
siderable radius.
To the Friday rides, in fact, can be
traced the origin of the present-day
pageant. In 1922, it was decided to
have a grand finale to the Friday ride
season in the form of society circus.
and at the same time to raise funds
for the posts recreation activities and
for welfare work among distressed
families Of enlisted personnel OF the
post. Largely through the efforts OF
Col. w. r. Rivers, then commanding
officer of the post and later inspector
general of the Army, the first affair was
a success and led to its becoming an
annual event.
While the first show was in the
nature of a circus, several debutantes
of that season were invited to par
ticipate in the musical ride, includ-
ing Dorothy Mondell.. daughter of the
then majority leader of the House,
and Nina Gore Auchincloss, daugh-
ter Of Senator Thomas P. Gore of
Oklahoma
Compared to the exhibitions of the
past few years, the earlier circuses
were unpretentious. In many cases,
girls who volunteered to participate
in the events had to be taught to
ride first, a difficulty unknown today
with the increased popularity Of
equestrian sports. Gradually the
shows began to have a unified theme
running through the program. In 1888
the vogue for technocracy was re-
flected in the circus program, in
which the horse-versusm machine
theme was developed.
The show annually has attracted
folk high in society. governmental and
diplomatic circles. During the Hoover
administration the President and his
family attended. In 1884 both Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt attended, and
the colorful uniforms of the diplomatic
corps, ambassadors and ministers
were sprinkled through the boxes.
New Halls Advantages.
The new hall, red brick struc-
ture 127 by 265 feet, covers a ring
100 by 200 feet, giving the riders
ample space to display their skill.
The seating capacity is 1900. A pub
lie address system makes it possible
to keep the audience informed as to
the progress and announcement of
events. A soundproof radio studio
facilitates broadcasting. A heating
system keeps the spectators comfort
able despite weather conditions out
side:
A pageant of brilliant costumes will
greet the eye Of the spectators at the
opening of the show. Parading
around the huge ring will be De Soto,
in shining breastplate and helmet,
and his men, four Spanish soldiers in
slashed red and yellow doublets:
squad Of HessianS headed by a Brit
ish officer in costumes of the period;
a gun and ammunition train of the
Revolutionary War period, and q
group Of mounted rifles" the regi-
ment which later became the 3rd
Cavalry. in authentic reproductions of
the early uniforms. Indians, cowboys
and cavalry Of the Indian War period
will complete the array.
The program itself will provide
spectators with many thrills. In. one
event, Troop E. costumed as Spanish
vaqueros in red and yellow, and car
Iying lances with pennants of the
same colors, will stage drill to music,
exemplifying the precision of men and
horses in all gaits and movements,
which proved smash hit recently in
Madison Square Garden In New York
City.
Another feature will be the drill