SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Saturday, February 16 2013 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Movie Star Tab Hunter: “Tabbed” For Stardom!

By Holly Hugo-Vidal

Tab Hunter – Hollywood movie star and real life horseman.

 

I met my friend, Tab Hunter, about 40 years ago at Cedar Lodge Farm in Stamford, Connecticut, where my husband Victor Hugo-Vidal and I had our show barn. Tab’s warm, friendly personality, endless energy and handsome good looks were irresistible and we immediately became friends and have remained as such ever since.

 

He visited us several times in Stamford and often rode many horses. I remember him being a very good rider. He taught me things back then that I still find helpful. A few years later in Dallas, Texas we were both trying horses at a show. I recognized his unmistakable voice (similar to George Morris’) before I actually saw him. I ran into him again a couple of years ago at a show in Del Mar, when he came down from his home in Santa Barbara to watch the grand prix.

 

Tab Hunter, born in New York City, moved to California as a young child with his mother and has remained out here other than briefly living in the south of France. He has enjoyed a successful movie career, starring in over 40 movies from 1950 to 1996, co-starring with famous actresses such as Natalie Wood, Sophia Loren and Debbie Reynolds. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Recently I caught up with Tab in Santa Barbara and asked him a few questions for my column, starting with the most obvious one regarding his name. It turns out that his real name, Arthur Gelien (which was his mother’s maiden name) didn’t appeal to his agent who said, “We need to tab you something.” Another person in the room said, “Well he rides hunters and jumpers, what about Hunter?” Hunter, being the better choice than jumper, he then became Tab Hunter. At first Tab didn’t like his new name; but his agent insisted that when he saw it on his first paycheck, his opinion would change! He was right!

 

Tab at a signing for his book “Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making Of A Movie Star.”

Tab became involved with horses because his brother, whom he greatly admired, rode. At the age of 11 he participated in group lessons every Saturday at a stable called Dubrouck’s Riding Academy (near Griffith Park). To earn more riding time, he became a stable boy. He did a lot of riding and showing during his time at Dubrouck’s. He enjoyed going to watch top riders at shows, such as Barbara Worth, Clyde Kennedy and Otto Russo to name a few of the all-time greats in those days. Eventually, Tab trained with Clyde Kennedy and Jimmy Williams. He rode hunters and jumpers, but preferred the excitement of the jumpers.

 

Tab, with the help of Arthur Hawkins, Danny Lenehan and Victor, got his judges license and enjoyed judging throughout the country. Tab went back to New York to The Garden (Madison Square Garden) to watch the horse show and was introduced to George Morris who was just out of juniors and riding on the (USET) team. At that time, Tab didn’t know anyone and George agreed to introduce him to people and they became lifelong friends. It was then that George introduced Tab to Victor.

 

Tab decided to board a horse at Cedar Lodge Farm. “Even though I was an actor; I was always more comfortable around horses than in the movie industry!”  Tab said, calling his involvement with horses a “touch of reality!”

 

Tab rode every chance he got. When he was filming in different countries he managed to get away and ride, whether it was foxhunting in England or hacking in Spain. Through George, he met Francisco “Paco” Goyoaga, one of the finest riders of the 50’s who represented Spain in three Olympics. “If you’re a horse lover, you’ve always got friends!”

 

Standing on the ground in Santa Barbara in 1956 is Mousie Brinkman, before she became Jimmy William’s wife. Mousie is holding Battlin Bim and Tab is holding Swizzlestick, the mare Tab rode in three films.

When asked whom he most admired in the horse world, he said, “There are so many, different ones for different reasons! I watched and admired Rodney Jenkins, Barney Ward and Diane Grod when they showed in California. I admired George Morris, Bobby Burke and Cappy Smith! How could you not admire people like that? How could you not admire Humberto Marilas? I watched the Mexican team when they came out here and competed at The Forum in Los Angeles. Then the magnificent hunter riders from out east like Linda Hough and Gene Cunningham and Bobby Burke! Susie (Hutchison) and Hap (Hansen) were just juniors in those days!”

 

In the ‘60s, Tab realized the importance of acquiring a good dressage base. Bert de Nemethy, legendary coach of the USET jumping squad for 25 years, was “a genius”! Tab watched Bert work with George Morris, Frank Chapot  Bill Steinkraus and Mary Chapot in New York at the Uttermeyer estate prior to the headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. Mary Chapot, from California, was “one of the most brilliant riders I had ever seen!” Tab remarked.

 

Tab pointed out that years ago many of the great hunter and jumper riders in California began as Western riders, such as Barbara Worth, Clyde Kennedy, Otto Russo, Jimmy Williams and Don Dodge. The riders in those days were very versatile. “A good rider is a good rider!”

 

When asked about his most memorable moments with horses, again Tab said “Different ones for different reasons.” On his 80th birthday his partner, Allan, surprised him not only with a party with a lot of horse people but by bringing back the mare he had bred and previously donated to the all-girls school in Chatham Hall, Virginia. Not only was the party a surprise but turning around and seeing his mare “Harlow” standing there was overwhelming! “I totally lost it!” Tab said. He rides her daily and takes great care of her.

 

Tab rode horses in several films; the first was “The Burning Hills” with Natalie Wood, “They Came to Cordura” with Gary Cooper and Rita Hayward as well as in “Gunman’s Walk” with Van Heflin. The mare he used was too hot for the show ring but loved being in the movies! “She was cut out for the movies; she thought she was Marilyn Monroe!” Tab laughingly said.

 

Diane Grod, mounted, with Tab in the background. In front is George Morris, Tiffany Traurig (Bernie’s wife at that time) and J.J. Smith.

Currently, Tab spends his days walking his dogs (Whippets) on the beach and then going to the barn and either riding his mare on the trail or doing flatwork and gymnastics in the ring! Tab loves this and said he is the happiest when he can ride and be around horses and would have chosen to be a professional had he not thought he’d make a better living acting.

 

I was so inspired by Tab’s never ending enthusiasm for life, his love of people and animals and the fact that at age 81, he not only rides, but jumps! Well, too, I might add! As the writer of the West Side Story column for Sidelines, there is one tidbit I want to point out: Tab had the leading role as Tony in the stage production of West Side Story (in Meadowbrook, New Jersey.) He was in numerous stage productions, but I singled this one out for obvious reasons!

Tab jumping a 6′ puissance wall at The Forum on The Coach.

Tab on Harlow, his current Dutch Warmblood Pinto mare. At age 81, Tab not only rides, but jumps!

Tab on Lonesome Road, a 17 hand Buckskin Quarter Horse, in Sacramento, California on the cross-country course.

Tab in his early movie days.

 

Holly Hugo-Vidal is Sidelines’ California correspondent and writes the “West Side Story” column. Holly is located 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 Confidence Over Fences.”

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: "The Burning Hills", Along for The Ride, Cedar Lodge Farm, Connecticut, george morris, Gunman's Walk, Holly Hugo-Vidal, Hollywood movie star, sidelines-magazine, Stamford, Tab Hunter, Tab Hunter Confidential, The Making of a Movie Star, Victor Hugo-Vidal, West Side Story

What you can read next

Scott Stewart’s Balanced Life: The Top Hunter Trainer Shares About His Early Days in Summer Stock to Spending Life in the Ring
Mavis Spencer: From Hollywood to the Grand Prix Ring: The US Equestrian Ambassador Shares About Her Life Long Love for Horses and Her Belief that Hard Work and Dedication Are the Keys to Success
Derek Petersen: From Africa to the Promised Land

7 Comments to “ Movie Star Tab Hunter: “Tabbed” For Stardom!”

  1. kathy seffron says :
    February 19, 2013 at 10:20 am

    That was just terrific reading all that real stuff about ac actor I watch as a kid. I love horse also and have owned a few..Thanks

  2. Maryann Harvey says :
    February 19, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    Still handsome! Great article.

  3. diana says :
    February 19, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    i remember as a very young horse crazy kid meeting Tab Hunter at one of Eggie Mills evening schooling shows in Middleburg, Va! I will never forget meeting such a kind man, excellent rider and a movie star too!

  4. Cat Czyr says :
    February 22, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    What an awesome article….. Pictures were great to see also.. Thanks for the information..

  5. Joan Ahrens says :
    July 11, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Tab and I have been email “horse” buddies for quite a few years now. Would love to meet one day as he was one of my teen heart throbs! So, you know how old I am too! Always gracious with his responses to my horse photos as we both love the colored ones, my APHA cross with warmblood, Sempatico M. now a young eventer in Georgia. Thanks Tab.

  6. Sharon's says :
    July 11, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    I once saw Tab Hunter and Barbra Worth at a show in Sacramento, Ca. I was a teenage and was so excited to see both thwm

  7. CJ says :
    July 11, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    Thank you. This was a great story to tell. I never knew Tab Hunter rode horses before. Thank you Holly. I thought a lot of Victor as a horseman and a person. God bless

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • TRIANGLE FARMS HORSE SHOWS
    H/J Rated ‘A’ and ‘C’ Shows Hunt Horse Complex, Raleigh, NC www.trianglefarms.com

    [Read more]

  • C. M. HADFIELD’S SADDLERY
    Specializing in English Bridlework and Clothing - Mon - Fri 9 - 5 300 Business Park Way, Suite B-100 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 800-854-RIDE 561-793-2947 hadfields@aol.com www.hadfields.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Returns for 170th Year on June 5-11
  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!