General Chamberlin: America’s Equestrian Genius A biography of Harry Dwight Chamberlin by Warren Matha

Product Description

The US Cavalry’s Greatest Horseman and The Evolution of American Horsemanship.

A biography of Harry Dwight Chamberlin, Brigadier General of Cavalry, United States Army

Filled with equestrian insights, Harry Chamberlin’s biography is the story of a preeminent equestrian theorist and teacher, an adoring father and husband, a brilliant military officer, and a genius in the saddle.

His career spans 34 years of accomplishment. He trains the 1st Cavalry Division to become “the best-trained division in the Army” and one of its most decorated combat divisions during World War II. He earns the highest respect of generals and sergeants.

At the Olympics of 1932, the US Cavalry’s greatest horseman, Major Harry Chamberlin faces a problem: His prized jumper goes lame. Rather than scratch, Chamberlin mounts a gray mare on which he has never competed before, rides into the stadium as 105,000 spectators look on and surmounts the most difficult jumping course in Olympic history. His performance astounds to this day.

A horseman of uncanny abilities, Chamberlin devises a unique combination of techniques to ride and train. His system enables novice riders to begin on a solid foundation and seasoned Olympians to further hone their skills. He combines French, Italian, German, and American methods to fashion a revolutionary new riding “seat” which remains the standard for equestrians the world over today.

“Beyond his horsemanship, in an era that produced the greatest crop of outstanding soldiers in America’s history, Harry Chamberlin was a soldier’s soldier…He represents the model military professional…” – Historian Lt. Col. Louis DiMarco, Ph.D.

Years earlier, the Commandant of the famous Italian Cavalry School at Tor di Quinto, says of Chamberlin: “the pupil has surpassed his master.”
Years later, George H. Morris calls Chamberlin the “founding father of equestrian sport in the United States.”

James Wofford ranks him “second only to Caprilli in international influence” and writes: “Chamberlin is to horsemanship as Mozart is to music.”

About the author
Warren C. Matha retired from structured finance consulting in 2005. He inherited his lifetime love of horses, history, and cavalry from his father who served as an instructor in the horsemanship department at Ft. Riley and rode border patrol with the horse-mounted 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division.

His father insisted, as a prerequisite to buying a horse, that he study, at age 14, the US Cavalry’s manual Horsemanship and Horsemastership as the source of all equestrian wisdom. He studied basic dressage with Thomas Poulin, spent 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week, for 5 months on a longing line under the critical eye of Sharon Poulin, the wife of Bronze Team medalist Michael Poulin. He spent extended time in Europe to observe the training protocols of the riding schools at Saumur, Warendorf, and Vienna. George H. Morris’ discussion in The American Jumping Style regarding the contributions of American cavalry officers to show jumping inspired him to write the Chamberlin biography and its companion volume, The Chamberlin Reader as a continuation of Mr. Morris’ fine work. He has ridden horses, off and on, for 60 years.

376 pages, hardcover