THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SPORT
M. LE PRESIDENT'S PINKY
Confronted by a tradition that expects the president of France to take visiting dignitaries on shooting trips, President René Coty confided, "I hunted only once in my life. I shot a crow 40 years ago." Then he puttered off to Marly-le-Roi, favorite preserve of his free-shooting predecessor, Vincent Auriol, for a little instruction (right).
But zounds! Only trophy M. Coty was really interested in was a bandaged right pinky, which was hit by a stray pellet from the gun of another shooter. Madame Coty, who stood bravely by during fusilade, waggled dead pheasant, one of four birds downed by M. Coty.
UP HILL, DOWN DALE
Jostling runners in special junior college division of Mt. San Antonio Invitational cross-country meet puffed over hilly Southern California countryside during largest schoolboy meet in U.S. For this year's running, 824 entrants set off in 13 flights, starting at 9 a.m. and sticking close to a rigid timetable that allowed no more than 15 minutes for the 1.8- and 2.7-mile courses. The junior college field of 128, last and most awesome of the 13 flights, took off at precisely noon. Fourteen minutes later the winner puffed through the finishing chute. Runners-up, well over time limit, straggled in under the disapproving eye of Hilmer Lodge, manager of the meet, while the top placers lined up to accept silver cups and the winner got victory kisses from pretty coeds.
RULE ONE: EYE ON THE BALL
Fighting irishmen collided in an uninhibited battle for the ball during rugged Gaelic football game. Scenes like this are relatively commonplace during rugged Gaelic matches in which a loose ball may be caught with the hands. Man with ball may then run three steps before kicking; but while he has it, the opposition—and overenthusiastic teammates—may punch at ball with fists (above) in effort to jar it loose and set up new play which usually ends in another bone-splintering collision.
Tumbling footballer Lou Mudd Jr. of St. Xavier's high school in Louisville, Ky., went all out in effort to keep ball out of opponent's hands. Action started when Mudd tried to intercept pass intended for Frank Weyer Jr. (71) of Roger Bacon high school in Cincinnati. Collision followed, sending Weyer to turf while Mudd and the ball hovered in midair. Teammate Richard Mueller rushed up to help, but Mudd and ball crashed to earth separately. St. Xavier won anyway, 20-14.
Cringing golfers covered up as wild drive whistled over their heads during exhibition match between American and Australian professionals at Sydney. Tommy Bolt of Houston, (right) clapped hand to head for added protection, while Marty Furgol in front of him (white shoes), top pro in 1954 celebrities tournament, bent in the lee of his countryman. While players ducked as low as possible, some of the spectators turned for better look at the ball as it sailed safely past them and into the distant rough.
AND A SHOW FOR THE HORSES
The most formal sports event in America is New York's National Horse Show. Its first event takes place at 11 o'clock on the first Tuesday morning in November. But the horse show doesn't really begin until about 8:30 that evening when such members of New York society as Mrs. Howard C. Brokaw embark from their limousines at the entrance to Madison Square Garden, gather their furs about their shoulders, their trailing gowns up from the sidewalk and sweep past the crowds of curious bystanders. These ladies, escorted by gentlemen in elegant white tie, formal pink hunting coats or braided military uniforms, fill the horseshoe of boxes above the dirt arena with fin de siècle splendor. On Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 9 p.m., as Mrs. Brokaw and others were seated, Ringmaster Honey Craven, in pink jacket and gold top hat, called forth the Parade of International Jumping Teams, heralding the 66th opening of the National Horse Show and of New York's social season.
Mrs. Howard C. Brokaw, her skirts gathered from the Eighth Avenue sidewalk, arrives at the National Horse Show.
Cocoon coat, other Paris fashions make first New York appearance at horse show, week before Metropolitan Opera opening.
Formal phalanx of horse show officials escort ladies who present trophies to winners, keep show running in its traditional smoothness through eight days and nights, 120 classes. This year 500 horses competed a total of 2,000 times.
White fox, most popular fur at show, is worn by Polly Young with father Colonel Roger A. Young of Trotwood Farm, N.J.
TOP HAT AND TEARS: Competition is keen and Miss Gail Guest eased tension with cry when her three-gaited mare lost.
THIRTEEN PHOTOS
