16 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Editor’s Note
:
Holly Hugo-Vidal married Victor Hugo-Vidal in
1971 and George Morris (the Chef d’Equipe for the 2012 Olympic
Show Jumping Team) gave her away at her wedding. Holly still
laughs when she thinks about the events that transpired: George
stood in the wrong place during the ceremony, which we didn’t
rehearse, and almost caused the minister to marry us instead of
Victor and me!! We had to start the entire ceremony over after
he asked George who he was. “I’m George Morris,” he explained
indignantly! George is fond of saying, “Holly and I almost got
married!” Holly did marry Victor -- and she shares what it was like
living with the great horseman in this tribute to her late husband.
Victor Hugo-Vidal was a legend in the horse world. Ask anyone
over the age of 30. Anyone under that age surely has read about
his numerous accomplishments. Victor grew up in Connecticut
and was one of the country’s most promising junior riders in the
50s, winning the AHSA Medal fnals and fnishing reserve in the
ASPCA Maclay fnals in 1951.
He then went on to become a leading professional known for
his intense drive for getting the best out of the rider and the horse.
He trained hunters, jumpers and equitation riders to numerous
championships and titles. In the mid ‘60s he became a popular
and infuential judge. He was licensed to judge hunters, jumpers,
equitation, dressage as well as saddle seat.
I have the unique honor of having known the man behind the
accomplishments and the iconic voice. He was a great horseman
and teacher, that goes without saying, however Victor was unique
in many ways. He was brilliant and well educated, graduating from
the University of Connecticut. He was born in Connecticut and
lived there for the majority of his life. He rode at The Ox Ridge
Hunt Club with his buddies, Ronnie Mutch and George Morris
under the tutelage of the legendary Gordon Wright. He moved
to California in the late 70s and joined forces with Mark Mullen
in Huntington Beach. After Mark passed away, Victor remained
in California spending the majority of his time judging and giving
clinics. He was named AHSA Horseman of the Year in 1971 and
California Professional Horseman of the Year in 1991.
Victor had an incredible memory! He remembered everything!
As a judge, he could recall the details of every round. And this
was not just for that day of the show, but for weeks and months
later. If he ran into a rider that had shown in front of him, he could
rattle off a full description of their round, including their number!
One time we were judging a show together and at the conclusion
of the show, three girls approached us (out of show clothes) and
asked him what he thought of their rounds. Without hesitation he
launched into great detail with the frst two girls’ rounds saying, “Oh
yes, you were 278 on a bay mare that had a sticky lead change
from left to right….” He continued on and on much to the delight of
both girls, then turned to me and said, “Hol, why don’t you tell the
third girl what you thought?” Anyone reading this who knew Victor
can hear him saying this in his uniquely identifable voice!
He was famous as well for his voice! He announced the
National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden in New York
City for 26 years. His voice was elegant, loud, or should I say,
it carried for a great distance and always commanded attention
as well as respect. Everything he said seemed to be gospel!
Victor always made it a point to congratulate riders and trainers
for past wins. He even kept up with other disciplines. He would
read The Chronicle and remember all the results from the shows.
He actually tried out for “Jeopardy” once, passing the test but not
quick enough with the clicker. Sometimes this trait was annoying
to me. When I would be training all the kids at a show (while he
was away judging) and he would call me at the end of the day
to fnd out how everyone did, then ask me who won in rings we
weren’t showing in. “Well Hol, who won the fat class in the short
stirrup division?” I’d reply, “Victor, we didn’t have any short stirrup
riders, I wasn’t at that ring!” “Well, you were at the show…..” he’d
say in that sardonic tone of his. It’s funny now.
Victor was a great teacher. He worked just as well with talented
riders as he did with average riders. He would work with anyone
committed to the sport no matter how deep their pockets were or
how naturally gifted they were. He gave riders the tools with which
to succeed. More often than not exceeding their own expectations.
Victor was like a rock. Always there, with the right answer to any
problem. You could always count on him for the best advice! He
was fair and honest as a person as well as a horse show judge.
Victor was a strong infuence in my life and as many people do,
I often hear his voice and wonder what he would say or do in a
certain situation.
Victor died unexpectedly (10 years ago in California). His friend,
Kathy Hobstetter, organized the most incredible celebration of his
life at The Oaks. There were wonderful life-size pictures of Victor
as a child through adulthood, as well as small framed pictures
on the tables along with fowers and little cards with familiar
“Victorisms” on them. Family members and friends spoke about
Victor, some cried while others told great stories that made us
laugh. It was an amazing tribute to a truly amazing man! He left
a mark on many people’s lives and I am honored that I knew him
as I did.
Holly Hugo-Vidal is Sidelines’ California correspondent and writes the “West
Side Story” column. Holly is based at Alicia Saxton’s Oceancrest Farms in Rancho
Santa Fe, California. Holly specializes in hunters and equitation as well as adults.
She is an “R” USEF judge, clinician and an author. Her most recent book is Build
Confdence Over Fences.
Victor Hugo-Vidal,
a popular and
infuential judge
Victor and Holly –
the early days