Evening star., 1940-08-09
The
SPORTLIGHT
Hitchcock Has Secret
OF Age and Horses
BY GRANTLAND RICE,

SARATOGA, N. Y. Aug. 8 IN. A.
N. AD.-The top horseman of the
world today is in the general direc-
ton of his Both year-high up in
the 70s. He schooled his first steeple-
chaser 81 years ago-and after 81
years he is still many lengths in
front under wraps. He is also one
of the top sportsmen of all time,
one of the most remarkable men
I've ever known in sport.
His name is Thomas Hitchcock,
father of Tommy Hitchcock, jr.,
who will stand as the all-time polo
player until some superman comes
along. And there are no supermen.
Every one has admired the eff
cheney Of Connie Mack, ". and
Lonnie Stage, n. at baseball and
football. But the name of Thomas
Hitchcock belongs In this slender
group of amazing veterans who have
thrown clocks and calendars away
and ignored time completely. They
nave made the years their vassals.
ignoring such puny details as half
centuries.
met Mr. Hitchcock just after one
of his horses had won another
steeplechase.
I wanted to know how he did it.
asked him first. why it was that
he never had the front feet of his
jumpers shod.
This" he said, sis quite simple
matter. A horse gets his drive and
his balance from his hind feet. His
forefeet have tendency to expand
His hoofs will nearly always spread.
Now If you encase these hoofs in an
iron band there can be no expansion.
There can be no give That Is the
reason my jumpers are never shod
to the front.
The trouble most horses have Is
with their hoofs or legs. I have
never had any such trouble"
Horses fought to Jump
For Their Dinners
I asked Mr.. Hitchcock Just what
system he followed to bring about
such an amazing success.
First of ALL" he answered, 81
would say the word is patience
You can't drive horse at barrier
and force him over. Not consistently
I want natural jumpers. Not
synthetic jumpers. So I start them
in this direction when they are less
than year old. I give them minor
jumps to make on their way to eat
jumps of less than foot. I grad
ually increase this height. I get
them to feel that Jump is part
of their lives-something they have
to make before they can eat.
These jumps are made higher
and higher. But there is no force
about it. There is nothing new
about it. 1t is something that be-
longs to their earlier memories
something they handle instinc-
lively"
I asked Mr.. Hitchcock about other
details.
For one thing" he said, "you
must know and love horses. Few
are alike. They have their own
whims and personalities. But to get
them accustomed to people I have
young riders, 10 or II years old. who
ride or play with them as yearlings.
I get them accustomed to the prob
lens they must face later on. I get
them used to other horses which
may be crowding in.
"All this" he said. takes a world
of patience. The horse must be
schooled over and over and over.
What you want him to do must be
made habit that he understands.
THE same thing goes for polo
ponies. I have known experts who
went out for speed. But a polo pony
must be trained and taught to turn
in a split second. Speed, of course,
is factor Bat so Is turning agility.
These are things that take time.
Horses Begin to Reach
Prime Around 6 Years
ITO my mind, a horse doesn't
reach or approach his prime until
he is years old. This applies espe-
cially to jumping and to polo. You
haven't time to teach young horses
what they need to know at these
two sports
Just when did you begin this
schooling work." I asked.
when was at oxford, in 1881"
he said. mo; it was before that.
Probably around 1879. I was little
younger then," he added, than I
am now"
That was 81 years ago. But I
doubt he was younger then.
In seeking our first appointment
was told Mr.. Hitchcock would be
ct the track around $50 or am.
There is so much to do," he said
rather plaintively. "and so little
time in which to do It,"