HORSES IN HISTORY

HORSES IN HISTORY

Sophie –Colonel Potter’s famous mare

Sophie may have been played by mares and geldings, changed from chestnut to bay, but wshe occupies a special place in the hearts of M*A*S*H lovers writes N. G. Quinlan

In this month’s Horse History, we’re taking a look at the only equine character to appear in one of the best-loved television series of all time… M*A*S*H.

The show began its run in 1972 and ended eleven years and two hundred and fifty-six episodes later in 1983 with a record-breaking movie-length finale that was seen by over one hundred and twenty million viewers in the U.S. alone, making it the most watched television broadcast in American history.

While M*A*S*H gave us many memorable characters, there are few who were more beloved than Colonel Sherman Tecumseh Potter, played by Harry Morgan (1915-2011). The veteran character actor joined the cast at the beginning of Season Four, playing a Regular Army officer who assumes command of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital after the death of the previous commander, Colonel Henry Blake.

In the eighth episode of that season, “Dear Mildred”, the company clerk Walter ‘Radar’ O’Reilly hears of a wounded horse not far from the camp. When it becomes apparent that the animal will be euthanased by a sharpshooter, Radar begs two of the outfit’s surgeons, ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce and B. J. Hunnicutt, to help him rescue the horse. After being operated on, the horse recovers and Radar plans to keep it as a pet; but when he discovers that army regulations prevent this, he decides to give the horse to Colonel Potter as an anniversary present, saying, “At least I’ll get to take care of him.”

The colonel is overwhelmed by Radar’s gift. As he walks behind the horse, he slips in some manure, prompting Major Frank Burns to say, “That’s disgusting!” Colonel Potter, a

lifelong horseman who served in the cavalry during World War One, responds, “Son, to me that’s a tiptoe through the tulips.”

It is interesting to note that during this introductory episode, the horse is referred to as being male. In a later episode, called “The Colonel’s Horse” (Season 5, Episode 13), we hear her called ‘Sophie’ for the first time. Stallion to gelding is one thing… but gelding to mare? Either the scriptwriters changed their minds, or else Sophie was one of Hollywood’s first transgender stars. In fact, Sophie was played by several horses, with different markings and of different genders, sometimes she even swapped from chestnut to bay during an episode.

Sophie was prominently featured in at least ten episodes of “M*A*S*H”, quickly becoming an audience favourite. Once when the colonel was on leave in Tokyo, Sophie became colicky and had to be given a warm water enema… a delicate process in which the entire camp participated. On another occasion, a drunken Texan cowboy took her on a midnight ride, much to the colonel’s disapproval. Corporal Klinger – who was forever attempting to get out of the Army by wearing dresses – even rode her once, while dressed (or ‘undressed’) as Lady Godiva.

In one unforgettable episode, called ‘The Price’ (Season 7, Episode 18), Sophie goes missing from her stable, leaving Colonel Potter distraught. It turns out that she has merely been ‘borrowed’ by an elderly Korean man named Cho Pak, who soon returns her. The man’s daughter explains that in his youth her father was a proud cavalryman in the Korean army. Colonel Potter, sensing

a kindred spirit, says: “This horse means as much to me as any animal I’ve ever owned, but she means more to your father.” He gives Mr. Pak his horse and thereby restores some dignity to the old man.

Radar commends him on his generosity and

In fact, Sophie was played by several horses, with different markings and of different genders...

the colonel tells him, “I’m going to miss that girl. Every once in a while a horseman comes across an animal that’s something special, one that knows you better than you know yourself. Sophie gave me a lot of pleasure and I do believe she liked me.” The next morning, Mr. Pak’s daughter returns Sophie to Colonel Potter, telling him that her father died during the night and that his last hours were among his happiest because of the colonel’s gracious gesture.

Perhaps her most poignant moment was in the series finale “Goodbye, Farewell And Amen”, in which she is played by one of Harry Morgan’s own horses, raised on his ranch in Santa Rosa. The war is over and everyone is preparing to go home to the States. Colonel Potter knows that he cannot take Sophie home with him, and the camp’s chaplain, Father Francis Mulcahy, suggests that she be donated to the local orphanage. The colonel agrees to this plan. The sight of the old cavalryman taking his favourite mount for one last ride is enough to bring a tear to a glass eye. The last word about Sophie must go to Colonel Potter himself. After a sunny afternoon spent riding his mare, the colonel returns to camp and is met by Corporal O’Reilly. “Radar,” he says, “there’s a special feeling you get when you’re alone with your horse. Just the two of you, cut off from the world, with nobody to bother you.”

There isn’t a horseman or horsewoman alive who doesn’t understand that.