34 SIDELINES APRIL 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
of army personnel as instructors, the role of the horse was
expanded signifcantly. The National Defense Act of 1916
provided for the introduction of horses to be used in the cavalry
and horse artillery classes. On July 7th, 1919, a shipment of 100
horses and 20 veteran troopers from the 13th Cavalry arrived at
VMI; two offcers were VMI grads, one becoming a member of the
Olympic Equestrian Teams of 1928 and 1932.
Starting in 1920 everyone but the Rats (freshmen) had to
take equitation classes. Some cadets failed to “appreciate” this
requirement. One wrote, “Prepare to Mount, Prepare to Die. It’s
all the selfsame thing.” Another wrote, “The Cavalrymen have had
it bad. Some seem to have a whim; That if they cannot ride the
horses, Then they will ride the Gim.” (Sick list)
But the program was very successful and as early as graduation
1920, cadets performed mounted gun drills and cavalry exercises
on the parade ground. In 1923 they played polo for the frst time,
followed by cavalry sabre charges and a Garrison Review (parade)
sporting horse artillery and cavalry units. Jumping exercises were
added in 1926. Hunts clubs soon followed.
Yet some inexperienced cadets still learned the hard way. On
one mounted march a cadet left the column and ended up on a
ledge overlooking the road. The instructor sternly asked the cadet
what he was doing up there, to which he answered, “Sir, you will
have to ask this damned horse. Coming up here was his idea, not
mine.”
After World War II the military role of the horse at VMI took
Cadet Thomas E. Williams leading a cavalry charge
on the VMI parade ground in 1947.
A well trained 1938 hunt club member, a handsome
mount and a “ready” pack of hounds strike a portrait
pose as they prepare for the chase.
Cadet rider, Misha Kadick, and his mount show
good form as they participate in a horse show on the
parade ground in the 1930’s, with the cadet barracks
in the background.
a real hit when “horsepower” became an automotive term and
the cavalry and horse artillery went mechanized. Some cadets
continued to use horses for special ceremonies, for polo and
jumping competition, hunt clubs and privileged riding even after
the ROTC horses were removed and sold. Cadets provided their
own mounts. Today the program is sustained by cadets who wish
to keep the tradition alive. They continue to compete in sporting
events like the Virginia Horse Trials (eventing) last fall.
Just before he led his great fanking movement at
Chancellorsville, followed by the accidental wounding that led to
his death, General Jackson told another VMI offcer, “The Institute
will be heard from today.” Be assured that VMI’s equestrian
program will be heard from again.
Black & white photos courtesy of the Virginia Military Institute
Archives, with special thanks to Mary Laura Kludy for her
exceptional assistance. The primary resource for this article was
one great book, “Keydet Grey and Garry Owen: The Horse at
VMI”, by Edward D Henson, Jr., James M. Morgan, Jr. and James
L. Morrison, Jr. These distinguished VMI horsemen compiled
a wealth of information, referenced in detail, for any military
horsemanship student.
About the writer: Fred McWane is a retired I.T. professional who got his math
degree from VMI, served several years in the Army Reserve then went home to
Lynchburg, Virgina, got his MBA and retired in 2010. A former marathoner and
tennis player/instructor, his primary focus is now photography (local grandkids’
sports, horses, nature) and Civil War and Texas history.