[HOME MOVIE HORSE SHOW, VASSAR COLLEGE, RHINEBECK NEW YORK]

This b&w home movie dates to 1928, and was shot by a New York family called the Flagler's. It features a number of equestrian jumping competitions, including one at Vassar College, as well as scenes around the family’s home in Dutchess County. The area has a rich equestrian history born through necessity for trade and transportation later evolving into recreation, sport and a means to preserve rural life values. It showcases the style of late 1920’s jumping competitions using ‘high leap’ and ‘wide leap’ obstacles. Horse shows were considered a social event lulling New York’s elite society in their finest attire. The Flager’s were a prominent and wealthy family with strong ties to the horse show community especially in Millbrook and Washington Hollow. 1928 marked the start of the economic decline that would lead into the Great Depression. This film shows a wealthier side of American life. Scenes around the home provide a dive into the family’s personal life highlighting a closeness among kin as they ride around their private grounds and play with the family dog. It captures the rural beauty of Upper New York’s Hudson Valley region and the comfort of a New York horseback ride in the drab of winter. Note: Vassar College still has a thriving equestrian team.

00:00 A female rider in front of a barn and truck (:09). Horses hang their heads over stall windows (:12). It transitions to the jumping competition (:44) as a horse balks at a jump. Riders move around the arena and bystanders hang on the fence (:52). A succession of riders head for the obstacles (1:52); some balk and others knock through the jump (1:58). Stunt riders jump through hoops lit in flames (2:09). Man, horse and sulky prepare for the harness races (3:02). Young riders on ponies (3:27), harness racers (5:38) and another round on the jumping course follow (6:10). A winner takes a trophy (6:32). Harness racers trot the arena perimeter (6:41). Stunt riders perform tricks (8:37). Scenes of comfort around the family’s residence features shots of the Flaglers riding in an open field (9:20). A woman in thick furs approaches the family car indicating it is likely winter (9:42). A young boy in a winter cap and jacket plays with the family dog (9:48). A group rides past barn structures (10:05) and a cluster of vintage cars (10:39). A horse balks over a wooden obstacle (10:56). A man in a fedora addresses the camera in front of another course (11:28) prior to another horse show (11:30). Locals watch from atop a barn near a U.S. flag (12:53). At the time it bore only 46 stars. Close shots pass over faces of some of the attendees (12:59) highlighting fashion of the era. Contestants take to the course (13:50). Guests on the ground enjoy cake (14:40). Back shots watch a stream of riders going over jumps (14:59). A rider takes to the automobile obstacle; likely a Ford model (15:08). A driver takes the automobile off the course (15:13). Vintage cars fill the lot (15:17) and crowds fill the grounds. Contestants go over jumps in pairs (15:20). It concludes with riders passing the stands (16:06) and close images of the spectators (16:12).