Monday, April 14, 2008

Glenn H. Randall and "Trigger (From Joey Ratliff)


glenn h. randall, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


Last night was Charlton Heston night on TCM. After
Ben Hur was over, they showed a short film of Glenn H.
Randall, Sr. picking and training some of the horses
for the cariot race. It included the training of the
the four whites jumping the wrecked chariot and the
hind leg rears at the starting line, which was
triggered by the whip swinging over their heads like a
liberty act. Mr. Randall also trained Roy Rogers'
"Trigger" and the "Black Stallion". Do you know if Mr.
Randall ever work on a show or was he an exclusive
hollywood horse trainer? Maybe Col. Herriott may know
also. AS a Side note, Glenn Randall, Jr. was the stunt
coordinator for the Indiana Jones movies.

Joey

Posted by Buckles at 4/14/2008 10:50:00 AM

28 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

Joey,
According to Robert Osburn on TCM did you know the horse in the Warner Bros. TECHNICOLOR production of the Adventures of Robin Hood that Olivia de Havilland rides in on is trigger before Roy got him in 1937
It will be on a a few hours and check it out again.
It is a great shame Rebublic used that 2 color True Color and you never saw Trigger in color as he does in Robin Hood.
One beautiful smart horse.
Harry

14 April, 2008 14:54
henry edgar said...

i don't know if mr randall ever toured with a circus, but he worked the roy rogers liberty horses, which he also trained, at the sells and gray-king bros. circus in palisades park and the beatty-cole show in philadephia in 1962.

14 April, 2008 15:31
Anonymous said...

according to Anouck Schmit Glen jr . was SmokeyS friend out in California and had many contactes with show folks . i know for sure he was Wally Ross buddy but knowing those people does not mean he ever tour . my opinion CleanRaul

14 April, 2008 17:48
Anonymous said...

Thanks for the answers, gentlemen. Harry, I will certainly be watching for Trigger next time I catch Robin Hood on. Today I was looking through an old Saddle and Bridle magazine and there was Mr. Randall's name as the original trainer for Mark Miller's Arabian Knights dinner theater in Orlando. Small world.

14 April, 2008 20:04
Anonymous said...

Mr Glenn Randall was great horsetrainer and friend of my fathers. I spent a few months out on his place one winter back when he was training the Black Stallion horses. We had 3 horses which were trained by Mr Randall. I still have one today ( a 33 year old appy)
I am very proud to have known him and to have spent time around him while he was still working horses. He was a great man.
Darlene Williams

14 April, 2008 21:07
Wade G. Burck said...

Darlene,
That Appy isn't Yankee is it?
Wade Burck

14 April, 2008 22:19
Anonymous said...

I believe Yankee died...However, could he be "Big Horse"???.....Jim Zajicek

15 April, 2008 01:47
Anonymous said...

Glenn was a Montana Cowboy, who became a Wrangler around the studios and probably got around Mark Smith [circus trainer around AL G< BARNES among others] and the first trainer of the world famous "KELLOG RANCH OF ARABIAN HORSES" and also Johynny Agee among others. He also had around him for many years a friend and grat circus trainer, Adolph Delbosq. Trainer on Ringling, Cole and owner trainer 0f "Seranado", bell ringing horse. Glenn did get with Roy Rogers, trained and handled the Triggers and trained the eight paqlomino, know as the "Roy Rogers liberty horses". Roy did work thm at one time. Glenn also had around him until his death a non-descript little Mexican horse trainer, by name of Carlos Carrion, who had been a major circus trainer of high school and liberty starting under Rohyda Royal and spending a number oy years on the fine "Downie Bros. Circus" He originated the scene of the Drama horse and Cowboy, and did wild west concert as well as big show training and showing, Jake Mills would bring him on when he needed a horse trainer over the years. I followed him on NMills, but he would always return to Glenn. Glenn told me about his last days.

Now Cliff Vargas induced Glenn to train the eight Andulusian liberty act and he did just that and he and his wife went on the road with Vargas for a few months and finally left for reasons similar to mine with Vargas. We compared notes on that when he was here at "Arabian Nights".

Yes he did indeed train all the wonderful stuff at Arabian Nights and I mean all. The Black Stallion, The Ben Hur Chariot races, the Roman Riding, The Dancing horses of the desert [three magnificent high scgool arabs with fabulous Piaffer and graT hIGH TROT Plus and a magnificent Andalusian in complete High School. He had a cadre of young horse people to assist him, among them Butch Rivers but it was the crowning achievement of Glenn and I don't believe it has been duplicated before or since. They are still riding on Glenns coat tails but its a sad imitation.

Glenn also produced a marvelous wild west show at Great America Theme Park in New Jersey, with cowboys, indians, attracking the stage, An Annie Oakly character and six young Mexican Vaqueros on Glenn trained quarter horses did a fantastic exhibition on horseback of rope spinning with the horses laying down on cue while nthey continued their brope manipulations. It was incredible. Glenn was in his eighties when at Arabian Nights. He had trained an eight horse liberty act for the Peterson Family of Rodeo fame of 8 small sorrelk quarter horses. He presented them at Arabian Nights and then sold them to Bob Commerford who in turn got them booked with Rinfgling in Japaqn and thats the last I heard of them. Glenn was quite a guy and his wife, Lynn and his son and daUGHTER-IN-LAW were fine horse people as well.

15 April, 2008 17:44
Anonymous said...

There is a just-issued book, "An Illustrated History of Trigger: The Lives and Legend of Roy Rogers’ Palomino" by Leo Pando
with a foreword by Corky Randall that also includes are a biography of Glenn Randall. I've not seen the book, only a review, but its published by McFarland in Jefferson, NC. Randall (1908-1992), incidentally, trained horses for Ben Hur on which Johnny Pugh also worked. Sons Glenn, Jr., has worked as a movie stunt coordinator while Corky has continued to do movie work with animals.
And for Johnny and Buckles, how about a photo series on Rhoda Royal?
Dick Flint
Baltimore

15 April, 2008 20:03
GaryHill said...

Col. Herriott, it was Great Adventure, in NJ were the Randalls performed. Glenn, his brother Corky and sister-in-law Pinky all performed there. Glenn did the breakaway chariot to perfection! I used to get away from my elephants and rhinos to see their shows but never had the time to get to know them well. We were all featured in a GA Club Bulletin that was published for members back in 75. I still have my copy.

15 April, 2008 22:12
Anonymous said...

There are horse trainers and there are horse trainers. Glen Randall Sr is in my opinion the greatest horse trainer of all time. I have studied the works of the finest European horsemen, dating back two and three hundred years. The passion that Glenn had in the building of a horse or as some old timers say "making most of a horse" is legion. His ability to transform a simple masse into an animal that will strike anxiety into the hearts of people will never be forgotten. The simple fact is that late Glenn Randall Sr will go down in history as the finest horsemen of all time. At least in my books. In my sixth book, I talk about working with Glenn in Canada, when he came on tour. For two years my job which was assisting him with all the Palominos, Vic, the black horse that did a lot of the Fury stunts, along with a White horse that also worked at liberty with Vic in one set. I used to almost daily ride Vic with all Palominos abreast on various tracks where we performed across Canada. When the jockeys who were galloping horses would see me enter the track with all horses abreast going for a little exercise around the track, they would use the most profound language I had ever heard, they were very rude to say the least. The palominos were well disciplined and never gave me any problem. I did have a lounge whip and each horse knew his name. All I had to do was call his name and shake the whip a little if any horse got a little rambunctious, or out of hand. Vic, the horse I was riding also worked at Liberty with the White horse, they had an act of their own. The main event of all shows we went to was with one particular horse that would bring the house down with movements, I have never seen repeated. I have schooled horses all my life, here in Canada, USA, and Europe. I have never seem any horsemen in my travels perform like Glenn would with this horse. i cannot remember his horses name, but I took notes of all the movements and the preparation that went into a lesson. Glenn used to help me with anything I asked. He could do the highest level of Dressage with such beautiful extension in all forward and lateral movements. The horse was as some people say a high school horse that was very very clever.
Movements such as a Passage on two tracks, something which is very difficult in it's own right. To do a well executed Passage is nice, but to do it on Two Tracks is exceptional. Besides the clever moves such as the Spanish Walk, trot, Canter on three legs ext,ext, were part of the performance.
The grand finale was when Glenn would canter his horse on stage (sometimes in front of thousands of people) and do the most difficult of all movements. It was a canter backwards.The horse would canter in a very high degree of collection and slowly canter the horse down to where he was cantering on the spot. He then shifted his weight slightly backwards, so the equalibrium was tilted and sent to the back of the horse. The horse was so perfectly balanced, that he cantered backwards. This horse had to have very strong hocks to do this movement, as the whole weight of the horse was on his hocks. Anyway, Glenn brought the house down with applauds. I have written several books, and Glenn is one of my three mentors, who I owe so much to. Glenn invited me to work for him full time in the industry, but I had other things to do such as ride saddle broncs and hunt Big Game in Northern Canada.
After spending forty five years schooling horses,I must say there has never been and probably never will see another horseman like Glenn Randall Sr.

30 December, 2008 08:53
Wade G. Burck said...

Chris,
Could you give us a list of titles of your books and are they still available? They sound most interesting. Thank you.
Wade Burck

30 December, 2008 11:03
Anonymous said...

I agree that Glen Randal was an amazing horse trainer and he accomplished much and fabulously in his lifetime but the "greatest trainer of all time"? I certainly would have a different opinion and I was around Glen when he had a stable in the valley and watched the training when he had Albert Ostermaier over to help. I do however think that he was unsurpassed in the movie horse business. Bravo.

30 December, 2008 12:20
Anonymous said...

Hi Wade
If you click on my name at the top of my message about Glenn , my site will come up and you can view my books. The new one Buckaroo's and Broncs is due out March 1st, 2009.
There is a whole chapter on my three mentors. Glenn Randall is one.
I hope this will work for you.
Cheers
Chris

30 December, 2008 13:45
Anonymous said...

Dear Miss Rossi
With all due respect, may I say just this. I base my case and stand firm on the fact that Glenn Randall who I truly admired, schooled horses in so many different fields. He was able to achieve results with lightness of hand, that I have never seen before or after. His horse ( I wish I could remember his name), freely gave him his all, in all the most difficult High school movements. There are many horse trainers that can and have accomplished great deeds. But, have they accomplished as much in such a wide variety of fields?
I am madam, and remain your humble and obedient servant.
Chris kind

30 December, 2008 14:28
Anonymous said...

Chris, I would love to see videos of this horse you described as I never knew about him. I did of course see the black stalliona few times. Do you know if there is any video available?

30 December, 2008 18:58
Anonymous said...

Dear Mrs Rossi
I have learned through my colleagues who I am writing to. And, after doing some research, must admire your passion and accomplishments in the art of building a High School Horse.
First may I say, I do not have any video or such of this magnificent horse that Glenn rode?
I can, in detail, tell you everything about him thou. My memory unfortunately will not allow me to remember his name, which would help immensely. We had on board all the Palominos, (which did the circus act) Vic and the White horse (that worked at Liberty) who also worked in an Ajax commercial and, of course, Glenn’s high school horse.
Possibly the Calgary Exebition and Stampede (which was a very large show) might have an old video of the performances in front of twenty some odd thousand people. I reiterate, he brought the house down with his daily performance. Calgarian’s appreciate good horsemanship and this was at its finest. I will call Winston Bruce today( he was the General Manager for the Stampede) and see if he can render some light.
It is apparent that your passion and that of Glenn’s are equal; I truly admire any person, who has dedicated their life to the pursuit and the making of a finished horse.
Bravo to you.
May I also say just this. That Glenn Randall’s involvement with the Palominos, which some might consider circus, or the art of working horses at Liberty, in the industry was nothing more than kid’s play for him. Where Glenn shined, with horsemen, was in his ability to achieve as I have said before the most difficult of High School movements, with such ease. The extensions in the Passage, Phiaff, Spanish Walk, Spanish Trot, Canter on three legs, and the Canter backwards, is memorable to say the least. It has been forty years, and it is implanted in my memory. I do regret not taking Glenn up on his offer to join him. Unfortunately, other things were on the plate.
I will do my very best to see if any video exists in Canada for you.
Until then, a very happy New Year to you and your family.
Chris Kind.

01 January, 2009 15:05
Anonymous said...

Chis would very much look forward to hearing more and if there is video available. Thank you for your time and effort, it's a shame not to be able to revisit great performances.

01 January, 2009 18:15
Anonymous said...

Dear Mrs.Rossi
As you probably gather, my life has been immersed with horses and in particular the horse that was schooled for war. I have studied the schooling of such, dating back several hundred years. The importance of his schooling would serve a charger well in battle.
On one occasion in Winnipeg, Manitoba I believe it was 1967 or 1968, I was discussing with Glenn, while sitting on a bale of hay, the purpose of these movements and how they originated. His answer was that several of the movements were taught in the school many years ago, far far away, to help the mounted horsemen while in battle. (A horse was taught to use every means possible to inflict as much damage). The very next day, while returning from the arena after schooling his High School horse, he asked me to stand in a location and then he asked me to extend my hand, holding a pack of cigarettes at the tip of my fingers. Glenn positioned his horse and applied the aid. His horses right leg extended fully in the flash of an eye, taking the pack of cigarettes out of my grasp. He did it with such precision that I could not believe my eyes. Then he said “That is why particular movements were taught and perfected several hundred years ago.” My lesson from Glenn, was, that many of the High school movements were actually perfected and used in battle. My Grandfather was in many of the British Battles, earned the crossed swords and rode a fine mount. After many years of searching through archives all over the world, it all makes sense.
So there you have it. You have also inadvertently schooled and prepared your horses for war.
I enjoy communicating with you.
Chris

01 January, 2009 23:17
Anonymous said...

Dear Mrs. Rossi
I met Winston Bruce today. He informed me that several years ago, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede emptied a room full of tapes that dated back many years. He told me that only a very few were kept. You might contact the board in Calgary to see what they have in their possession the years of interest would have been 1967/1968.
Sorry, but that is all I can do.
Yours truly.

03 January, 2009 19:56
Anonymous said...

I have been reading all the fantastic stuff about Glenn and no one seems to know about the fantastic work he did here in Australia in the 1980's. Glenn came out to train horses for us at El Caballo Blanco in Catherine Fields, which is on the outskirts of Sydney. El Caballo was owned by an Australian Man who had seen the fabulous Andalusian Stallions of Spain when he attended the Horse of the Year competition in England. Ray bought pure Spanish bred stallions & mares and set up a Stud in Western Australia. Some years later he set up a show the facility in Sydney and needed more fully trained horses for the show than we were able to train in the traditional Spanish method.
Glenn and one of his nieces came out and trained up 20 young horses. He lived with us and taught us as much about training as he did about the love of horses.
Glenn always said you can teach any horse to do any trick! just some will do them a lot better than others.
Glenn lived and worked with us and he is, as Chris Kind has said, The best Horse Trainer ever.
JD from DownUnder

12 March, 2009 08:21
Anonymous said...

Sadly, Glen Randall Sr's. son, Corky Randall died recently.

24 April, 2009 14:18
Chris Kind said...

It was sad to hear that Corky Randall passed away. The Randall's success in the horse industry is legion.

13 May, 2009 12:35
Ellen said...

Glen Randall, Sr., was born in a little town outside of Scottsbluff, Nebraska and was training horses by the time he was 9. As a teenager, he was training cavalry horses at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. I think that's where he first got noticed. I have photos of him training a white horse which I think was in Ben Hur. They are pretty candid shots and unpublished. Found them in my grandfather's stuff who was also cavalry up until 1941 and a family friend.

10 April, 2012 17:14
Unknown said...

I trained under Glen Randall as a very young child, when he had a facility at (I think) Whitsett and Sherman Way. I remember Adlophe, Corky, and Pinky. There was also a riding instructor named Don Beale. All very, very talented and committed horsemen, completely in tune with the gifts of each animal. Recently, I was watching a scene from "The Horse With The Flying Tail" and I believe the scene was shot in the stable are of Glen's old facility when I rode. Anybody seen this scene? Melissa B

07 June, 2019 18:35
Unknown said...

I was at Great Adventure in the 70's and remember when the horses were bought to become Chariot horses.
I was a vet tech and remember them standing in paddocks, snow on the ground and most of them had no protection from the elements. My thumb was sore from administering antibiotics..
They lived and came to be trained to pull the chariots by Glenn Randall. I have trained horses for over 50 years and would say his method was circus.
I saw one of the Peterson's horses become lame fighting his "training".
High strung horses such as thoroughbreds cannot be trained using these methods. A learning experience I will never forget.

24 June, 2021 19:42
Unknown said...

Aubrey Cartwright was in charge of the horses at Great Adventure then. He was a great man, remember he had a son Allen who rode there also.

24 June, 2021 21:05
Unknown said...

The mighty Gang Ranch. She's downhill and in the safe. Buckaroos and Broncs. Bighorns and stone sheep.

15 April, 2022 12:58

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