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Friday, December 7, 2007

Documentary “A Life of Equestrian Substance: Conversations with Major General Jonathan R. Burton” Huge Hit at USDF Convention

Attendees at this year’s Adequan/USDF Annual Convention got the first look at the just completed documentary on the life of one of America’s leading equestrians. The premiere of “A Life of Equestrian Substance: Conversations with Major General Jonathan R. Burton” was a huge hit. On hand for the premiere was Gen. Burton himself, who received a standing ovation from the audience of dressage enthusiasts who laughed and cried as they watched the nearly hour-long documentary.

A snippet of the documentary was shown later in the evening during the Salute Gala as Gen. Burton was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Also inducted were successful dressage competitor, trainer and Judge Hilda Gurney and the late Edgar Hotz, a well-respected international dressage judge and rider.

The Gen. Burton documentary was produced by Phelps/Hathaway Enterprises, Inc. of DressageDaily.com and HorsesDaily.com. The project was funded in part by The Dressage Foundation and Offield Farms. Melvin Cox, senior producer of SportsQuest International, shot, edited and directed the final version and was on hand for the premiere. The documentary was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Joan Burton, who passed away in February 2007, and the closing segments of the documentary, featuring photos of Mrs. Burton, brought tears to the eyes of many.

Mary Phelps-Hathaway introduced the screening which was attended by approximately 200 people. “This all began with a conversation I had two years ago with “The General” and I wanted to share his stories with others. I had no idea the extent of what this man has done not only for our sport, but for our country. It is my hope this effort will document the important historical value of the USET and how it began.”

The production evolved from conversations with Jimmy Wofford and Mary Phelps to a historical documentary with historical photos, and interviews with several top officials in the equestrian world who know him well, including USEF President David O'Connor, George Morris, Sally Ike, and more. The fildm was scripted by DressageDaily's Lynndee Kemmet, and narrated by Brian O'Connor.
Photo: Melvin Cox, Sportsquest International, Major General Jonathan R Burton, Mary Phelps-Hathaway and James J Hathaway

Following his induction into the Hall of Fame, the 88-year-old Burton had the Salute Gala crowd laughing away as he related stories of his life as a member of the U.S. Military’s Equestrian Team. Burton’s sharp wit was highly entertaining as he told of how the U.S. military “acquired” horses from the Germans during the years that U.S. forces occupied Germany. The American military officers who made up the U.S. teams engaged in international competition used these “captured” horses with much success in international events in the first year’s following World War II. “We were short of horses, especially dressage horses,” Burton said. “The horses were considered captured military material.”

“Of all of the things we have accomplished in our 30 year business in the sport.” said producer Mary Phelps-Hathaway, “I am most proud of this documentary, honoring this man, and I want to thank him, The Dressage Foundation and Karin Offield for their support, as well as everyone else who contributed to this effort.”

At this point we are exploring opportunities to broadcast the program on television. There has been a tremendous response and demand for the DVD, and we are compiling a list. For those interested in this production please send an e-mail to info@horsesdaily.com with Burton Documentary in the subject line and we will keep you informed on the progress of this project.