Harry Chamberlin
Encyclopedia
Harry Dwight Chamberlin (1887 – September 29, 1944) was a medal-winning equestrian
in eventing
and show jumping
. He was also a Brigadier General
in the US Army.
, and went on to great accomplishments in various equestrian sports. Chamberlin was in active military duty in France during World War I, when he served with the 161 Brigade. It was during this time that he competed internationally for the first time, riding in the 1919 Inter-Allied Games
held in Paris (the 1916 Olympics were cancelled due to the war), before returning home.
Chamberlin was assigned to Fort Riley's
Horsemanship Department and went on to compete at the 1920 Olympic Games with his mount Nigra. He was then sent to Europe to train for two years, the first year at the French Cavalry School in Saumur
, and the second at the Italian Cavalry School in Tor di Quinto. While in Italy, he was introduced to the forward seat, which he brought back to the United States and which now dominates the hunter
and jumper
scene.
Chamberlin was then sent to Fort Bliss
in Texas. In 1927, he returned to train the 1928 Olympic Team
, which he captained in both eventing and jumping. During this time he taught his teammates the forward seat, which was renamed by them as the "Chamberlin Seat." At the Olympics, the event team was eliminated when one of their riders missed an obstacle, despite having had the best cross-country rounds of the day. Chamberlin finished 21st individually in the event competition on Benny Grimes. In the jumping competition, Chamberlin competed again on Nigra, finishing 18th individually, and the American team placed 8th (out of 16 nations).
He later went on to compete at the 1932 Olympic Games
, again riding on the event and jumping teams. He finished 4th individually on the ex-racehorse Pleasant Smiles, despite a fall on cross-country, and the team was able to clinch the first gold medal the American equestrian team had seen. In the jumping competition, Chamberlin rode the Thoroughbred
Show Girl over a notoriously difficult course, and went away with the individual silver medal. A disqulification of another team member meant the Americans did not win the gold team medal as well.
Chamberlin commanded the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from 1939 to 1941, and the 4th Cavalry Brigade
from 1941 to 1942. He eventually served as commander of Fort Ord
from 1943 until his death in 1944.
Chamberlin is perhaps best known for his teaching and training ability, with Lieutenant Earl Thomson citing him as teaching him how to ride. He was inducted into the US Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1990.
player, where he won the national 12 goal championship (1925), and 20 goal championship (1926). While at West Point, he was also known to be very good at non-equestrian sports, including boxing, football, and track.
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
in eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
and show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
. He was also a Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in the US Army.
Biography
Henry had never ridden a horse before attending West Point, from which he gradutated in 1910. However, he learned to ride incredibly well while at West Point under General Guy V. HenryGuy Henry (equestrian)
Major General Guy Vernor Henry, Jr. was an American horse rider who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Biography:Guy V. Henry, Jr. was born into the military life...
, and went on to great accomplishments in various equestrian sports. Chamberlin was in active military duty in France during World War I, when he served with the 161 Brigade. It was during this time that he competed internationally for the first time, riding in the 1919 Inter-Allied Games
Inter-Allied Games
The Inter-Allied Games was a one-off multi-sport event held from June 22nd - July 6th 1919 at the newly constructed Pershing Stadium just outside Paris, France following the end of the First World War. The forum for the games, Pershing Stadium, had been built near the Bois de Vincennes by the U.S....
held in Paris (the 1916 Olympics were cancelled due to the war), before returning home.
Chamberlin was assigned to Fort Riley's
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
Horsemanship Department and went on to compete at the 1920 Olympic Games with his mount Nigra. He was then sent to Europe to train for two years, the first year at the French Cavalry School in Saumur
Saumur
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc...
, and the second at the Italian Cavalry School in Tor di Quinto. While in Italy, he was introduced to the forward seat, which he brought back to the United States and which now dominates the hunter
Show hunter
The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences. The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes...
and jumper
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
scene.
Chamberlin was then sent to Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
in Texas. In 1927, he returned to train the 1928 Olympic Team
Equestrian at the 1928 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 1928 Summer Olympics included Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions. The competitions were held from August 8, 1928 to August 12, 1928.-Medal summary:...
, which he captained in both eventing and jumping. During this time he taught his teammates the forward seat, which was renamed by them as the "Chamberlin Seat." At the Olympics, the event team was eliminated when one of their riders missed an obstacle, despite having had the best cross-country rounds of the day. Chamberlin finished 21st individually in the event competition on Benny Grimes. In the jumping competition, Chamberlin competed again on Nigra, finishing 18th individually, and the American team placed 8th (out of 16 nations).
He later went on to compete at the 1932 Olympic Games
Equestrian at the 1932 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Games included Dressage , Eventing , and Show Jumping . The competitions were held from August 10, 1932 to August 14, 1932....
, again riding on the event and jumping teams. He finished 4th individually on the ex-racehorse Pleasant Smiles, despite a fall on cross-country, and the team was able to clinch the first gold medal the American equestrian team had seen. In the jumping competition, Chamberlin rode the Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
Show Girl over a notoriously difficult course, and went away with the individual silver medal. A disqulification of another team member meant the Americans did not win the gold team medal as well.
Chamberlin commanded the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from 1939 to 1941, and the 4th Cavalry Brigade
4th Cavalry Brigade (United States)
The 4th Cavalry Brigade is an AC/RC unit based at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The unit is responsible for training selected United States Army Reserve & National Guard units that are based East of the Mississippi River. The brigade was originally formed as an element of the 2nd Cavalry Division but was...
from 1941 to 1942. He eventually served as commander of Fort Ord
Fort Ord
Fort Ord was a U.S. Army post on Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed in September 1994. Fort Ord was one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California...
from 1943 until his death in 1944.
Chamberlin is perhaps best known for his teaching and training ability, with Lieutenant Earl Thomson citing him as teaching him how to ride. He was inducted into the US Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1990.
Other sports
Chamberlin was also a very accomplished poloPolo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
player, where he won the national 12 goal championship (1925), and 20 goal championship (1926). While at West Point, he was also known to be very good at non-equestrian sports, including boxing, football, and track.