fairbanksTHE ORIGIN OF JUMPS From The Tame To The Tantalizing
by Lisa B. Friel
Show jumping course designer
Bert de Nemethy rewarded cleverness by combining the technical with the
aesthetic. Uniformly milled rails were introduced to construct the
obstacles, each jump having a unique theme. He avoided the use of
bright colors and unnatural elements and included jumps tastefully decorated
with flowers, shrubs and greenery. Cross-country course designer Neil
Ayer creatively related the obstacles to the venue with many of the jumps
reflecting the colorful history of the Fairbanks Ranch. The course
was extensive and rigorous because of the formidable fences and undulating
track.
The first and third of this series
of pictures are recent pictures of the entrance and rear of the Fairbanks
Ranch Clubhouse. The others were made in 1984 and show the back of
the first picture. I saw Cary Grant and Bob Hope enter for a dinner
hosted by the Equestrian Federation and Prince Philip. We were stationed
as security drivers near the entrance after dropping off our passengers.
I was assigned a golf cart for
the first few days in San Diego to inspect the course for Rattlesnakes. It
seems that much of the marsh and swamp that had not yet been developed had
to be cleared for the cross country course. The first three pictures below are made
during those trips.
Jump No. 1
Jump No. 2
Back side of Jump No. 3
Below are pictures made from a
rise just above the stables and staging area for the race. After this
area was cleared the stables were constructed in three days and would remain
only until the event was over then they would be dismantled. The staging
area is just to the right of the stables. This was a secure area and
not open to public access. Some of the pictures are of the tents with
refreshments set up for officials, volunteers, athletes and employees, such
as myself.
The Judges for the 3 day Event
I had driven them from Arcadia to San Diego
Finally the contestants arrive.
Just before the first horse leaves
the staging area
The riders were weighed before and after each ride.
The refreshment tent at staging.
More refreshments
Last but not least the Federation
Equestrian International arrives. Prince Philip and his ensemble.
