Alexander Mackay-Smith, Editor of the Chronicle of the Horse from 1952-1976. Image via the USEA Hall of Fame.
The Chronicle staff have recently been raiding the attic archives, revisiting history in celebration of the magazine’s 75th anniversary, and nestled in this week’s article, “The Chronicle Over The Decades: 1950s,” was a rather epic account by former editor Alexander Mackay-Smith of the 1954 selection trials, held Nashville, Tenn., for both the 1955 Pan American Games and 1956 Olympics.
Jeb Wofford, older brother of Jimmy, had recently been released from the hospital after a bout with dysentery, and had ridden the homebred Benny Grimes to third place after dressage. But temperatures reached 105 degrees on endurance day, and after Jeb collapsed on his first mount, his prospects of completion on Benny were questionable:
“By the time he came to the 22nd jump, the solider talking over the intercom commented that Wofford was talking to himself and didn’t look as though he knew what was going on. The same comment was heard in increasing volume as he negotiated the remaining 9 obstacles.
“When he emerged from the woods for the final Phase, .82 miles on the flat, Wofford blacked out completely and fell over Benny Grimes’ neck, which he clasped with both arms. But the little horse seemed to sense that it was up to him…”
Check out “Benny Beats the Heat” to find out whether they finished, and thanks to the Chronicle for sharing this awesome insight into our sport’s history.
