Trick riding

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Cossack Drag or Death Drag.
Roman riding
Stunt riding at the King of the Ranges competition day, Murrurundi, NSW

Trick riding refers to the act of performing

horseback riding
, such as the rider standing upright on the back of a galloping horse, using a specially designed saddle with a reinforced steel horn, and specialized kossak loops for hands and feet. The horse is likewise galloping free. Trick riding is not to be confused with
Federation Equestre Internationale
(FEI).

Horse riding stunts have been performed in many films, such as Roman racing in the 1925 Hollywood silent movie "The Calgary Stampede" where cowboy actor Hoot Gibson rides to the championship in the Roman race, and the iconic film "Ben Hur," as well as in equestrian events such as Equitana and the official opening of the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, rodeos, and much more.[1]

Albert SEATON - The Cossacks published in 1972.

Trick riding has been called the most daredevil of horsemanship, where gymnastic skills of strength and balance are needed. Using a special stunt saddle, the rider performs physically demanding stunts such as the classic standing hippodrome, the shoulder stand, the tail drag, and the suicide drag, and other stunts all while hanging to the side of the saddle, or standing on the saddle, or twirling on the saddle horn or swinging under the belly of the galloping horse from one side to another.

Up to the mid 1930's, trick riding was a popular rodeo contest, with prize money and world champions declared. World titles were declared at the biggest rodeos in Winnipeg, Chicago, New York and London, England.

Champions had to have the best balance, poise and style, plus the most difficult stunts.

"Suicide" Ted Elder, who was called "Suicide" because of his daring stunts such as the "suicide drag," was one of the best of these early day performers winning seven world championships during his career.

Vera Mcginnis, Florence LaDue, and Tad Lucas are some famous female trick riders.

Dick Griffith,

Earl Bascom
and Weldon Bascom were famous rodeo bull riders, as well as accomplished trick riders.

Trick riders such as Shirley Lucas and Sharon Lucas became famous horse stunt women doubling for many movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Lana Turner, and many more. In films, stunt riders have included Hank Durnew and Ken Maynard (1895–1973).[2]

Trick riding is still prevalent today, both in the film world and in rodeo. Tad Griffith, who is a 3rd generation trick rider and at his prime was considered the greatest trick rider in the world, has taught actors how to trick ride for films like Keanu Reeves in John Wick 3, Alden Ehrenreich in Hail Caesar, and has performed trick riding in movies like The Mask of Zorro. His sons, Gattlin Griffith, Callder Griffith, Arrden Griffith, and Garrison Griffith, have all continued trick riding, on-screen and in the arena.

One type of trick riding is known as "Roman riding", and is usually performed as entertainment in rodeos, circuses and horse shows. In Roman riding, the rider stands atop a pair of horses, tethered together, with one foot on each horse.[3][4]

"Roman standing racing" has been popular since the early days of rodeo, as a contest with prize money, where riders and horsemen race around a dirt track for the championship.

"Roman running jump" is a specialty act, an exciting event where the rider and horses jump, at full gallop, over a convertible automobile or other barrier. Ted Elder used this act only adding to the excitement by adding flames which the horse and rider jumped through.

The Canadian Trick Riding Hall of Fame was established to honor and preserve the history of Canadian trick riding.

References

  1. ^ Northern Daily Leader, "Inland icon opens", Simon Chamberlain, p.4, 23 February 2009
  2. ^ William H. Young, Nancy K. Young The Great Depression in America: A Cultural Encyclopedia - Volume 2 - Page 476 - 2007 "... ultimately ran from 1930 until 1951. It then went on to more years on television. The credit for the first person to sing cowboy tunes in a sound movie probably belongs to Ken Maynard (1895-1973). A famous trick rider for stunts that he did.
  3. ^ "The Texas Trick Riders Present Roman Riding". Texas Trick Riders. Roman Riding. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Shawn Brackett". Roman Riding Sensation. webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 25 October 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2017.

External links