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Colonel Harry D. Chamberlin (1887-1944)

Jim Wofford compared the work of Colonel Harry D. Chamberlin in the equestrian community to that of Mozart and was quoted saying, “We are the beneficiaries of Col. Chamberlin’s genius, and horses around the world live far more comfortable and productive lives because of his work.”

Chamberlin, who competed in both eventing and show jumping, was a graduate of American, French, and Italian cavalry schools for advanced equitation. He competed in the Olympic Games of 1920, 1928, and 1932, in addition to countless national and international competitions. Highlights of his career include earning a Team Gold medal for the Military, which are the roots from which the current-day form of eventing originated from, and an Individual Silver Medal for the Prix des Nations in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.

In addition to his accomplishments in the saddle, Chamberlin is remembered for his talents as an author. His books “Riding and Schooling Horses” (1932) and “Training Hunters, Jumpers and Hacks” (1937) are still influential in the education of equestrians across disciplines today. Chamberlin spearheaded the movement to revolutionize the sport of eventing and that of equestrian sport in the U.S. through his horsemanship foundations which were based upon French and Italian principles.