Bit and Bridleshows the hors

[Music] the muffled rhythm of hoofbeats Echoes In The Quiet byways of the Placid country that surrounds aen South Carolina for on these unpaved highways the horse the Aristocrat of the animal world holds Undisputed sway this tranquil region is the uncontested kingdom of the horse in America seldom are Motorcars used as there is only one paved Road in the area this domain of the horse has been established by many families whose names are recorded in the sports and social histories of America the Hitchcock The milb burs the Boswick and the harman here in the heart of the Deep South they have set up a sanctuary for the horse and their children are raised in the tradition of the hunt and the steeple chase [Music] they learned their lesson well for riding is far more than just exercise or Pastime to them at home and at school they're steeped in the Legends of great Horsemen and the bridal paths are their roads to fame and to the Sunday roic reviewer section they take the jumps like veteran Cavalry Troopers as much at ease in the saddle as the best of the Rough [Music] Riders youngest in a line of famous Horsemen the three-year-old son of Tommy Hitchcock starts his life in the saddle these Sons and Daughters of famous Fox hunting and Polo playing families receive spart and training learning four RS instead of [Music] three in the Aken Colony they're never too young to learn and the routine is helpful for it keeps these youngsters out of doors at the horse capital of the South taking the hurdles is as much a part of a child's daily life as a game of mumbly Peg or Jacks and always they are under the instructor's watchful [Music] eye professional jockeys and exercise boys give steeple chase horses their daily workouts galloping through the Pine Woods to muscle them for racing the blood of thoroughbred race horses pulses through the veins of these chargers they breed for endurance and speed to carry them in the flat but High jumpers were among their ancestors and as the breeders of fine horse flesh say blood will tell [Music] in the paddocks of the estate near Aiken all sorts of horses relax and take time off from being specialty animals hunt and steeple chase horses Polo ponies Trotters High jumpers and proud CH horses Frolic and roll in the dust just like their working cousins who pull plows or milk [Music] but now it's time for the hunt for the thrilling Chase across country from all around the countryside hunting enthusiasts are on their way some are merely Spectators others are to join the chase at the meeting where Grooms will bring their mounts all members of the Ain set are attracted to this oldest of organized sports in America dating from colonial [Music] days this is to be a drag hunt in which the scent of a fox mixed with aned is dragged beside the hunt course in a bag to give the line to the pack in a drag hunt the sport is in the riding not in the kill so it's yikes and T hle The Hunt is underway the dogs give t as they follow the scent of the drag [Music] the end of the chase is near and some of America's Finest mounts and huntr Riders complete one of the really difficult courses in the land it's the end of the trail for man and Beast and the dogs get their reward now for another thrill as proud Trotters and Pacers pull the graceful sulkies the development training and driving of harness horses calls for the most skill and art of all the accomplishments of the horsemen in this haunt of horse lovers women compete with the men on the trotting track in recent years women have been entered in official races and have made excellent showings both here and in the [Music] north patience and expert training are responsible for the development of good harness horses the band just below the horse's eyes prevents his seeing his shadow on the track but let's watch the grace and symmetry of these harness [Music] horses a steady rain and a cool head in competition are needed to hold the horse at this gate for if he breaks and goes into a Gallop he must be pulled back the driver must estimate his speed at the turns with greatest accuracy what too sharp a turn would spill the sulky now here's a slow motion study of the Supple flow of rhythmic muscles the perfectly coordinated gate that marks the Pacer and sets him apart from all other [Music] horses but the crowds are gathered for the aan Saturday Ma with owners and trainers competing and it's anybody's race as they Thunder toward the first turn some of these men who train harness horses for members of the Aken Colony are the cream of race drivers many of them are among the most celebrated oldtimers in the game and they handle their horses with a master Touch with their sensitive hands on the Rings only the Colt break or the well schooled harness horse knows the feel of the trainer's mastery [Applause] [Music] this is the Supreme test of the blue blood hitting the pace that means keeping out in front of never being beaten until the race is run and then to try [Music] again here in aen are of the finest horses in the country the hunters the steeple chase mounts and harness horses here in the greatest Retreat of the horse in America the entire Community pays tribute to the Aristocrat of the animal world [Music] [Applause] [Music]