Re: RC: RE: V2B Vienna-Budapest from an historical perspective

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated Sun, 24 Jun 2001 12:30:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net> writes:

<< Came across an interesting comment regarding the AERC/FEI discussion; <<<<In
1950, endurance riding was recognized as an equine sport by the Federation
Équestre Internationale (FEI)>>>>

Considering this bit of information you could suppose that the FEI
definitely pre-dated the AERC by more than a decade!>>

Not a surprise, since mounted events other than endurance have been part of the international scene since long before 1950...  The surprise is the bit about them recognizing endurance.

<< Now, does any one have
any information regarding this? Where were the competitions being held back
in 1950.>>

Well, I've never delved into the military records, but here is a quote from a piece written by Albert W. Harris, printed in the 1944 July/August issue of "US Remount Magazine" and reprinted as the introduction to the Arabian Stud Books:

[regarding Arabian horses]  "They have won most of the endurance and 100-mile trail rides in which they have been participants.  In the various 300-mile rides for the United States Mounted Service Cup the Arab entries made the best record.  In 1921 there were seventeen starters, carrying 245 pounds each, for sixty miles a day, for five days.  It so happened that year that just one registered Arabian competed, the Arabian gelding Crabbet, but he won it easily.  In the 100-mile trail rides held in the West during the last few years the result has been the same...."

OK, endurance was clearly an established form of competition in the military.  A great many cavalry traditions survived as sport in Europe as well, and looking at Tom Sites' post, endurance was thriving as a military event in the early part of the century in Austria and Hungary.  Could very well be that that is why FEI recognized it as a sport clear back in 1950.

<<Considering that it is well defined in the FEI General Regulations as
follows:

<<<<4.1. To be considered for proposal to the General Assembly as an added
FEI discipline and to be governed by these
General Regulations the activity in question must be practiced by a minimum
of thirty NFs from at least four geographical
groups with a total participation of a minimum of ten thousand
competitors.>>>>

I would pose several questions the would be of interest; since it requires
thirty NF's, exactly who were these NF's practicing endurance competition
prior to and in 1950. In addition the requirement is for a minimum of ten
thousand competitors. Where were these competitors competing?  Was the
United States one of the thirty NF's? If so, who was competing then?>>

I would add one more question to this--was this rule in effect in 1950?  Or perhaps were the "rules" for recognizing a sport less stringent at that time?

Heidi