One of the issues at present in Australia is whether or not Prime Minister Abbott might choose to call a double dissolution election. ABC commentator Antony Green had a useful piece on the mechanics involved. My thanks to Don Arthur (
m inclined to agree with Don’s piece on Club Troppo, Humiliation and the dole: a forgotten debate. One of he things that I enjoy about history are its byways.
This photo shows Yarrowitch woman Mrs Esther Stace setting a world record for a sidesaddle jump of 6’ 6” (1.98m). The year is 1915, the place Sydney’s Royal Easter Show.
Yarrowitch lies to the east of Walcha on the Oxley Highway, so a local connection so far as I am concerned. I know nothing about Mrs Stace beyond the apparent fact that she came from Yarrowitch.
I hadn’t realised now recent the modern sidesaddle was. It was invented in the 1830s by Jules Pellier. It was revolutionary, for it allowed women to ride at a gallop and to take part in equestrian events.
By time time Mrs Stace jumped, the sidesaddle era was coming to an end as changing concepts of modesty along with changes in women’s clothing allowed women to ride astride. I wonder if her record was ever beaten?
Update 16 September 2017
A comment from La Chienne Shady Lady provided a partial answer to my question, was Mrs Stace's record ever beaten? This fascinating 2012 piece from Flora Watkins, Side saddle high jump record broken, in Horse & Hound provides a partial answer. As an aside, I didn't know that when William "Will" Thacker (Hugh Grant) in the film Notting Hill said that he was from Horse & Hound I didn't realise that it was a real magazine!
Returning to my point. With the exception of one reported higher jump in the US which does not appear to be properly documented, Mrs Stace's jump is still the highest. But, and it is a big but, the height is challenged because the horse jumped off a springboard. I have no idea whether or not this is true, but it appears to be a major issue in the competitive world of sidesaddle jumping.
Update 10 June 2019
Cheryl Castle was quite cranky on this one. I promised to bring her comment up int main text:
"Hi Jim. There is no debate over Mrs Stace's use of a Springboard. One was NOT USED ! The jump was done at the Royal Show not a circus and a quick question to the R.A.S. would quickly debunk that ridiculous theory. If you knew how horses jump you would know that jumping off a springboard would slow them down as they jump off four legs not two like a human. This crap was made up by some American woman on her blog and is totally unfounded and a scurrilous LIE. Please stop perpetuating it. Horse and Hound UK also based their info on this LIE without ever checking the facts which is just LAZY JOURNALISM. It is easily fact checked!
Cheryl Castle"
8 comments:
Allegedly in Ireland last year. There's debate over whether Esther used a spring board.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/side-saddle-high-jump-record-broken-313716
That's a fascinating piece, La Chienne Shady Lady. My thanks. :)
Hi Jim. There is no debate over Mrs Stace's use of a Springboard. One was NOT USED ! The jump was done at the Royal Show not a circus and a quick question to the R.A.S. would quickly debunk that ridiculous theory. If you knew how horses jump you would know that jumping off a springboard would slow them down as they jump off four legs not two like a human. This crap was made up by some American woman on her blog and is totally unfounded and a scurrilous LIE. Please stop perpetuating it. Horse and Hound UK also based their info on this LIE without ever checking the facts which is just LAZY JOURNALISM. It is easily fact checked!
Cheryl Castle
Thanks, Cheryl. Writing as i do, I am always going to get things wrong. I will bring your comment up in a postscript on the main post.
Thank you for clarification, I couldnt imagine a springboard being used at the royal easter show... Cheers
Springboard. What a viscious nasty rumour for those so impressionable. Imagine the chaos, flurry, fear & aboveall Unco-ordination you would foist on a horse, just conceiving such impractical lunacy. And not even possible.Total nasty jealous rumour from Ireland. And added difficulty, torment, bravery, in 1915 Jump record, had the rails it is said, built by farm people & appear to be Unforgiving of any error by horse & rider, nailed FIXED to vertical post. No room for error!! whereas 2013 record said to be re-set or broken, can see rails are erected sympathetically & may slip out with error. Brick fence had moveable tops that horse Did hoof knock but objects didn't fall. Officials for Record still accepted those pardons & gave new record. Manipulated favourably to gain record. Mrs. Stace or gallant horse Emu Plains had no such favours with their jump. If fence was FIXED like in 1915, with the obvious intimidation & bravery a 6'6" FIXED fence adds, you would likely see NO future attempt at breaking record at all.1915 record would Stand. But as in 2013 the rules were "bent", fences built UNFIXED & knocked by horse, still officials saw no discrepancy & awarded new record. A Farce! Records ahould be ashamed. I wouldn't like to see any horse given a task of Fixed fences for Records but requirement should be horse not qualified to 'knock' fence for Record. Parallel to 1915 conditions horse & rider achieved.2013 record should be abolished.
That's interesting, anon. Some good points.
Actually, this high jump record was broken in 2013 by Irish Rider Susan Oakes her cleared a whopping 6ft 8" side saddle. She has now been initiated into the World Guinness Book of Records for her jump.
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