Xenophon Press LLC General Chamberlin: America's Equestrian Genius

Filled with equestrian insights, Harry Chamberlin's biography is the story of a preeminent equestrian theorist and teacher, an adoring father and husband, a brilliant military officer and a genius in the saddle. His career spans 34 years of accomplishment. He trains the 1st Cavalry Division to become "the best-trained division in the Army" and one of its most decorated combat divisions during World War II. He earns the highest respect of generals and sergeants.  At the Olympics of 1932, the US Cavalry's greatest horseman, Major Harry Chamberlin faces a problem: His prized jumper goes lame. Rather than scratch, Chamberlin mounts a gray mare on which he has never competed before, rides into the stadium as 105,000 spectators look on, and surmounts the most difficult jumping course in Olympic history. His performance astounds to this day.   A horseman of uncanny abilities, Chamberlin devises a unique combination of techniques to ride and train. His system enables novice riders to begin on a solid foundation and seasoned Olympians to further hone their skills. He combines French, Italian, German, and American methods to fashion a revolutionary new riding "seat" which remains the standard for many equestrians around the globe today.  About the Author Warren C. Matha retired from structured finance consulting in 2005. He inherited his lifetime love of horses, history, and cavalry from his father who served as an instructor in the horsemanship department at Ft. Riley and rode border patrol with the horse-mounted 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division. His father insisted, as a prerequisite to buying a horse, that he study, at age 14, the US Cavalry's manual Horsemanship and Horsemastership as the source of all equestrian wisdom. He studied basic dressage with Thomas Poulin; he spent 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week, for 5 months on a longing line under the critical eye of Sharon Poulin, the wife of the Bronze Team medalist Michael Poulin. He spent an extended time in Europe to observe the training protocols of the riding schools at Saumur, Warendorf, and Vienna. George H. Morris' discussion in The American Jumping Style regarding the contributions of American cavalry officers to show jumping inspired him to write the Chamberlin biography and its companion volume as a continuation of Mr. Morris' fine work. He has ridden horses, off and on, for 60 years.