Brian Flynn
Historic Book of Our Sport
Melanie Smith
Michael Matz
Mary Chapot
Kathy Kusner
Found in L.A. at the Horse Show
Christine Jones
Jimmy Kohn
Frank O’Mera
The U. S. Equestrian Team Book of Riding,
Honey Carven
Francis Rowe
Signed by Hundreds of Hunter-Jumper Legends August Busch, JR
Sally Wheeler
Malcolm Rossoll
Last fall at the LA National Horse Kost Karazissis
Show, I had a chance to sit and spend the Helen Crabtree
afternoons with an elderly photographer
Don Burt
named George Axt. In the 50’s, 60’s,
Gigi Gaston
70’s, 80’s George was a prominent
Linda Hough
photographer across the country and
Hap Hansen
covered all the major horse shows in
Susie Hutchison
the nation. National magazines and
Will Omert, DVM
publications were full of photos taken
by George and he was a favorite when
Buddy Brown
looking for pictures of your horse in the
Bernie Traurig
show ring. George lives in Los Angeles
Melanie Smith
now, and has taken to hanging around the
Michael Matz
food court at the LA shows and sells a Mary Chapot
myriad of old photos. Kathy Kusner
George had promised to bring along
Christine Jones
a book he has had in his possession for
Frank O’Mera
over thirty years, and when he came the
JJ Smith
next day, he brought it. Out of a scruffed
Gene Mische
old paper bag came one of the most
Clyde Kennedy
important relics of our sport….a copy
Ira Schulman
of THE book titled The U. S. Equestrian
Photo © Shelley Allyn
Team Book of Riding.
Christina Schlusmeyer
Every so often along comes a rare find
Bob Freels
by Simon and Schuster. Along the time of
in our industry that truly belongs to all of
that indoor circuit, George made his book
Michael Valincourt
us and specifically, the historic archives
available for riders, owners, trainers to
Joe Fargis
of the United States Equestrian Team or
sign, and obviously they took great delight
Bill Herring
USHJA. The U. S. Equestrian Team Book
in doing that. Red, green, black and blue
Nancy Turrell
of Riding, by Bill Steinkraus, was written
pens scribbled names of the greats of that
Margaret Williams
in 1976 and can still be found in old book
time and so many are still in the top of Diane Grod
stores and on the web through Google.
our sport.
Grame ‘Butch’ Thomas
Most of the copies of the book are fairly
Several signatures are of bright eyed
Eddie Macken
well taken care of and in good shape, and
young riders of that time, just getting
Dennis Murphy
a few might have an autograph or two.
started in their career, and probably
Ian Miller
The average price is about $20.00 when
excited and privileged to be asked to sign
you find one. What sets this particular
Carol Thompson
their names along side of people like Bill
book apart from all the rest still around,
Neil Shapiro
Steinkraus, Francis Rowe, Kathy Kusner,
are the signatures covering various pages
Mary Chapot, Frank O’Mera and so many
Jerry Baker
throughout the book. Page after page of
others.
Fran Steinwedell
signatures scrolled across every blank
When you visit LA next year, ask Larry
Wayne Carroll
page available.
for a chance to see it, it is so worth the time
Walter ‘Jimmy” Lee
Larry Langer bought the book from
to peruse through and look at signatures
Norman Dello Joio
George in order to protect it and make
of the greats in our sport. Patrick Butler
sure it doesn’t get lost as more years go
Here is a PARTIAL list of the signatures,
Ronnie Mutch
along. The book was signed during a trip
and there are at least a few hundred
Joe Darby
by George to the east coast indoor shows
MORE:
Bucky Reynolds
in 1976, the year the book was published
Russ Walther
118
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