Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-25
Nation Chief 10 See
Horsemen Compete
AT Fort Myer
Autry, Western Picture
Idol, Thrills Throng
At GoIo Opening
BY ROBERT HENRY.

by hObEhI HENRY.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt and
Movie Cowboy William wild BilD
Boyd will share the spotlight with
field of crack hunters, jumpers and
riders at Fort Myer starting at 8:l5
tonight when the Presidents Birth
day Horse Show rings down the cur
tain in a benefit for infantile pa
ralysis victims. Many other nota-
bles, including cabinet members,
diplomats and society sports folk
also are to attend.
Five classes and two exhibitions
are programmed. Boyd will dis
play few Wild West riding tricks
after the open jumpers, open hunt
ers and "go as you like" equine
events provide the thrills and judg-
ing from the competition last night
blue ribbons will be awarded only
after hard struggles.
Boyd takes over the spot held last
night by Gene Autry, fllndom's
singing cowhand. The more than
1000 at the opening night of
the show waited to cheer Justify
as the popular star of the horse
operas dashed around the ring on
the Presidents horse, Pal O. Mine,
and then changed over to Troop
F's rodeo veteran, Rebecca, which
carried the hollywood hero through
blazing hoop without misstep
In the final feature The kids, es-
pecially, were pop-eyed and seemed
relieved to know that their idol
was not one to use double for such
stunt. A regular Western show
by Troop F. of the Sd Cavalry &C
companied Autry's number.
Service Horses Sparkle.
AS far as the horse crowd is con-
cerned, the go as you like" jump
ing class heads tonights events.
Something new around this section,
this class will test the best in both
horse and rider. Unlike the other
features, the conditions of this one
will be unknown to participants
until the ringmaster calls them for
action. The course is of eight jumps
and the trick is to get over all with
as few faults as possible in the
shortest time. The riders may take
the jumps in whatever course they
choose, but will be eliminated if
they miss jump or take one twice.
Horsemanship, naturally, will play
big part.
Last nights performances indi-
cate the jumping events tonight will
be among a handful of horses,
mostly those owned or ridden by
Fort Myer representatives. The
manner in which Capt. Charles B.
McClelland's Smacko and the United
States Governments Clipped Wings
went last night says they will be
tough to beat. Others that figure
are Capt. Kenneth G. Hoge's Broom
field, the Governments ever-dan-
gerous Sandy and 1t. David Wag-
staff's Enterprise.
All these horses appear close to
top form. or at least more prepared
| than civilian mounts to shine on
Army grounds. The invaders showed
a lack of schooling last night and
thus quickly bowed to the service
mounts. Both jumping classes were
won by Fort Myer horses, which
have had the benefit of more indoor
| practice.
Smacko Scores Decisively.
In the fault and out, Smacko, with
Capt. McClelland up, was one OF five
to go clean, and because his time
was several seconds faster he took
the blue. The big brown horse re-
quired but SO seconds to complete
the nine Jump course and this was
3 seconds faster than required by
Ard Patrick, which took second
under his owner, 1t. Kane. Only
one civilian entry shared in the rib
bons-Elizabeth Lyons Crocus, rid
den by Norman Corbin. He earned
third place over Capt. Hoge's Broom
field. Lisbeth Stieg's Hi-Ho had a
faultless round, but it was much toe
slow, as was U. S. Randle's Randle's
Way, ridden by Frank Christmas.
The open jumpers class drew a
field of 80 rugged winter campaign
ers and again an Army horse pre-
vailed. Clipped Wings, 15-year-
old mare that has won blues in
many of the country's biggest shows
had only half fault over the
sturdy course and this gave her a
slight advantage over 1t. Wagstaff s
rangy mare, Enterprise. Clipped
Wings was ridden by 1t. James
Polk, who rode the veteran to VIC
tory in the individual class in the
New York show last November. Gay
Cockade, owned and ridden by Capt
John Collier, and Sandy. also ridden
by Capt. Collier, were tied with ~
faults for third honors and the for
mer took that position on a coi1,
toss.
While the civilians failed to shine
in the jumping classes they took two
Of the three hunter classes. Aubrey
Fishback rode Mrs. D. N. Lees Red
Fox, formerly owned by Col. George
S. Patton, Fort Myer commandant
to victory in the open hunters and
scored at the direct expense of the
colonel, who rode Konohiki into
second place. Red Fox is entered
in the working hunters tonight and
will be seeking repeat in that
class, having won it last year when
owned and ridden by Col. Patton.
After finishing third to Red Fox,