Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-25
BY RUTH DEAN
Star Staff Writer

~ stars, rock n roll singers and the Twist But
Isabel Knuth winterfeldt is crazy over horses.
The daughter of the Danish Ambassador, Count
Kield Gustav Knuth Winterfeldt and Countess Knuth
Winterfed Isabel is not only accomplished horse
woman but selftaught authority on horse racing
She's avid reader of turf literature as her National
Cathedral School classmates are collectors of the
latest Chubby Checker and Paul Anka recordings Just
mention horses and her blue eyes light up.
When told she was to be the Danish princess in
the annual Azaea Festival in Norfolk at the end of
April this real-ife countess did not find the news
half thrilling the prospect Of spending her Spring
vacation at Laurel Race Course, working with the
horses. Almost timidy but with great sincerity and
determination she said as she looked forward to start
ing work Friday, Il would like to groom the horses
little if they trust me, and exercise and feed them"
That she is doing and under the expert tuteage
of Trainer Judy johnson.
Isabel is catching on fast to track lingo Her main
duties are serving as pony boy" and "hot walker"
pony boy leads the horse usually green 2year
old onto the track at race time In training the pony
boy rides to the left Of the young horse to pace
him he learns to control his stride and does not
overextend himself
The hot walker walks beside horse Just after
race to cool him off.
Isabel begged her mother to let her take the Laurel
job after family friends said it could be arranged
She was in seventh heaven when her mother, also an
animal lover, gave her consent Her curiosity about
the track was aroused couple of years ago. when she
and her family attended the International Race there
Then, last fall, they visited the stables every day
before the race especially to see the Danish entry
Wonder Boy, who suffering from cold contracted
during his sudden transit from his cold homeland to
a rather warm Washington.
Seeing Wonder Boy must have filled Isabel with
nostalgia for her own pet thoroughbred, Lille Ven
Danish for little friendD her familys 3OOOacre
estate in Denmark All summer long she and Lille Ven
are inseparable pals as she rides him through the
woods and fields surrounding Rosendal, a castle
built in 1910 and located about 20 miles south fCopen
hagen, which has been in the family for many
generations
Il ride Lille Ven everywhere, even to picnics,"
says Isabel with tilt Of her blond head I'VE 60
swimming together at the beach"
The minute Isabel arrives home for the summer
Lille Ven whinnies and up and nuzzles her like
pet dog Some people say dogs have personally
but think horses much and you can ride
them" observed Isabel.
Isabel is proud of the fact Lille Ven won't let any
one on his back but heFn0t even her brothers, Ditlev
Ii, student at St. Adams, and Aksel 81 at present
doing his military service in Denmark
The little countess had some preparation for her
job at Laurel from what she does for Lille Ven. She
cleans his STALL pitches fresh hay into it. feeds him.
grOOms him, and even cleans his hOOves The only
thing don't do" she says, lis shoe him.
1t does not occur to Isabel that these tasks are be-
meath one whose father represents Of the oldest
noble families in Europe and is a descendant Of q
Danish king, Christian v. AS her Swiss-born mother