|
|
Presidential Horsemen Sunday was the
official birthday of George Washington, our first military commander,
first president and, according to some contemporaries, the top equestrian of his day. Thomas Jefferson called Washington the best horseman he had ever seen. Whether leading soldiers in battle, traveling
across the country or galloping across field and furrow engaged in his favorite sport -- fox hunting -- Washington was the
consumate equestrian. In fact, according to historians, his death from pneumonia was caused by his penchant for fox hunting.
His last hunt was on a blustery, rainy day in December, 1799. He died a few weeks later. Other presidents were also good horsemen. Andrew Jackson was famous for his white charger during the War of 1812.
Abraham Lincoln spent 25 years riding horses across the Illinois prairie on the court circuit before he was elected president.
Dwight Eisenhower grew up in horse country and rode some at West Point. But the president who came closest to Washington's
equestrian ability was Ulysses S. Grant. He is credited with being the first cadet to jump a seven-foot fence while at West
Point. But, as with so much else that he did for this
country, Washington was the first great horseman. That doesn't make him the best president, but his many other contributions
to this nation do, as far as I'm concerned.    This painting may be of Washington and his horse Blueskin, which was with him throughout the Revolutionary war. Although he is usually pictured with a gray, historical documents indicate his favorite horse during the war was actually a sorrel named Nelson, who was less agitated by the sound of musket and cannon fire. Both horses were present at Mount Vernon in 1785 -- both apparently in their 20s -- when a visitor described his tour of Washington's stables.Enter content here
Riding the Gunnison On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, my friend Alan and I hauled our ponies down toward Delta and went for a ride on the trail used for the annual equestrian poker ride, which parallels U.S. Highway 50 and heads south to the cliffs overlooking the Gunnison River. That's me on Turk,
looking to the right, and Alan on Rita, looking to the left 
Enter content here Enter content here
 Feb. 12, 2009 Horse Plates sponsored by State Senator Jim Isgar, and State Representative Marcia Looper, provides Colorado horse enthusiasts a new license plate with a horse logo. Ritter said, “This bill creates a spe- cial license plate that acknowledges the unique contribution the horse industry makes to our economy and our cul- ture. Fees generated by the sale of this license plate will benefit the Colorado Horse Authority and the Colorado horse industry. The Colorado horse industry accounts for more than $440 million in economic activity.” The Colorado horse industry has a total economic impact of $1.6 billion across the state. The state has more than 256,000 horses owned by some 55,000 owners across the state, accounting for more than 20,000 related jobs. Support the Horse Plate Certificate The special plates bear the image of a horse and the words, “Support the Horse.” Proceeds from the sale of the plates will benefit the Colorado Horse Industry by education and other programs of value to the horse industry in the state. Plates will be available starting January 1, 2009. |
Enter supporting content here
