36 Olympics Cross Country - Part I

1936 Cross Country Footage (Leni Riefenstahl)

[@sarahtherrien6730]

Wow how different! Its cool that most of the riders were captains or lieutenants in the military, very different from today where most are career horsemen. crazy that they are doing this after already galloping 14 miles or more before this!

[@Satchmoeddie]

+Sarah Therrien Career horsemen? What do you think the cavalry was? When Germany invaded France the top French Generals were all cavalry generals, & the top general insisted on being mounted when he addressed the troops. Tanks & trucks were fairly new back then. Before WWI & trench warfare, & even after WWI cavalry was still the elite part of most armies. These were the creme de la creme of military horsemen. None of that pansy ass safety fences, helmets, & a laid out course inside a stadium.

[@jjeherrera]

Actually it was very demanding. These were excellent horsemen. Unfortunately I gave away the Berlin Olympics book, but I remember well the dressage test was far more advanced than today's.

[@Lottshorse]

What wonderfully brave horses

[@bcgrote]

Wow, having Leni R film the equestrian event would be like getting Spielberg to cover Biathlon! Amazing! I wonder what these horses and riders would think of modern courses? That last jump was extreme, but this year's Rolex had some seriously scary combos! And many of these people probably died within 5-8 years, with their horses.... Military.

[@JosephDungee]

at 4:24... The horse says "This is what you get from making me try to jump this" ROFFFFLLLL I'm dyinnn''' laffing at this video ;D

[@JosephDungee]

This video is funny has heck!! lol the refusals and the throws are insane :D

[@PaintedPicasso]

not just no helmets- no boots or protection for the horse!

[@nalane]

Thomson, American announced at 4:04 was my great uncle. This is the first footage I have ever seen of him and I am so delighted it has been shared! Will try to track down his medals.... Family rumors have them sold by my cousin's step mother & lost forever vs recovered & donated to West Point. Anyone have advice as to solve the mystery?

[@Sonoraman]

Interesting!

[@heide9755]

Great, really great, wonderful riders!

[@louisnealon6811]

Priceless footage. The field was more international than it is today. The loud music must have distracted the horse though!

[@tubeyhamster]

Did riders not get to walk the course in those days? Most of them come into that "difficult jump" much too fast, as though they aren't expecting it.

[@ilovemyjazzy1]

It means you were encouraging the horses :)

[@Squidles4]

At least the fences broke then....

[@mmdehnmm]

I'm so impressed..... these were true war horses.

[@brianatimmerman]

What does it mean when you find yourself "clucking" at a 1936 video...?

[@gramophoneshane]

I'm bettin' the roll on Roamer :) Sorry to hear about Angus Dan.

[@equestrianlifestyle9871]

the riding is suprisinly good

[@sanniepstein1007]

That Danish horse was smart. Don't risk your neck jumping, just step over.

[@Sonoraman]

I ride horses like this every day! :D

[@stefreinhold219]

The sad part is that the German riders - who won 6 gold medals and 1 silver - were highly politicized and abused by the Nazi regime. Remember, the Nazis had only been in power for 3 years at that time. The Cavalry had been in place for HUNDREDS of years. In 1937, the German cavalry published the last edition of their training manual. It is now available in English her horsehaus.com/products/hdv12-german-cavalry-manual-for-training-horse-rider. Also look on Facebook for HDV12book.

[@babydave2662]

Listening to An Ending- Brian Eno with this on mute x) wasn't intentional, but it works

[@ackbarfan5556]

Nishi from Japan would later die at Iwo Jima.

[@kurokind]

Ein guter Film! Vielleicht war Baron Nishi darin?

[@artex6]

The reason they are so small is because they had to go a great distance

[@kurokind]

Sher good!!

[@gottasay4766]

Who needs a helmet?

[@K9TrueNH]

You don't have to cover 14 miles before 2 miles of steeplechase, before cross country. These horses were fit, unlike today's pampered poodles.

[@Bobina261]

kluci šikovní to byli

[@secuono1]

Stupid how the 'riders' need so much assistance getting back in their saddles...wtf is that?