HIS HERS & Have Voice, Will Travel:

Show Jumping Hall of Fame Chairman (& Inductee), Peter Doubleday

with L.A. Sokolowski, equinista

His father’s hobby became a career for Peter Doubleday of Southern Pines, NC, “The Voice” to millions of spectators since he began announcing in 1975 at top shows like the Hampton Classic, Lake Placid Horse Shows and Winter Equestrian Fes�val, and such i nterna�onal compe��ons as the FEI World Cup™ Finals (seven �mes), Pan American Games (1999, 2015), 1996 Olympics, and 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. He added show jumping telecasts to his resumé with ESPN, Outdoor Life Network, and Canada’s TSN; managed the Devon, Na�onal, Pennsylvania Na�onal, and Royal Horse Shows; served as a USEF and FEI-rated judge on USEF Jumper and Show Management Commi�ees; coordinated produc�on of Show Jumping World Championships at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, and announced show jumping at the 2018 WEG at Tryon Interna�onal Equestrian Center. In 2011, he was elected chairman of the board of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., to succeed late founder (1987) Gene Mische and in 2019, the “man behind the curtain” himself was inducted, and recognized in March 2022 alongside Olympic veterans and bulwarks of the community at an inaugural Induc�on Gala in Wellington at The Wanderers Club. We coaxed this mellifluous horseman and some�me-celebrity (look for Peter in the movie, Harry and Snowman) from behind the curtain to share his thoughts on the great show jumpers of yesterday and making a difference to the future of the sport.

HERS: What do you remember about your first horse or pony?

HIS: I never had a horse as a kid. But I was first successful in the Juniors with a black horse called Fine & Dandy. He was fairly difficult for me to ride but I will always remember his name. I got my first blue ribbon on him, in a fault-and-out class at summer camp in western New York. It was pouring rain and (ironically) the only one I had to share winning that ribbon with was the announcer.

HERS: What do you like best in a horse?

HIS: That they love what they do. Across all breeds, disciplines, when a horse is great they know it.

HERS: What do you like best in a person?

HIS: True honesty. Not just following along. I love those who aren’t afraid to speak up, speak out, and make a difference.

HERS: What was your first job and how old were you?

HIS: I was six, and delivered newspapers. The next year, I sold peanuts while my dad announced at horse shows. He’d tell me to go out and sell, and remember to bring back the money!

HERS: If you worked outside the horse world what would you be doing?

HIS: I’d be at a golf course, happily running a $100k lawn mower to the exact specifications of the greens-keeper. I love working outdoors.

HERS: Favorite quote?

HIS: Remember how Salada tea bags had sayings? ‘Nothing is obvious to the uninformed.’ It inspired me to learn, as an announcer, how to relate to spectators.

HERS: Who has inspired or mentored you?

HIS: Certainly my dad, who worked in radio and television in Syracuse, and announced for horse shows like Eastern States, Washington International, on the side. I didn’t realize I was going to do what I do. I took over what he had done as a hobby and made it a career. And I was inspired by the ‘big guns’ of sports announcing, like Marv Albert, Jim McKay, Lindsey Nelson.

HERS: You can invite 3 guests (past or present, real or fictional) to dinner.

Who joins you and what’s served?

HIS: I’m a sports and music guy, so I’d be inspired by the first two, and mesmerized by one of my all-time favorite rock singers: Mohammed Ali. Hank Aaron. Stevie Nicks. There’d be pasta, a giant salad, and a lot of beer.

HERS: What does the Show Jumping Hall of Fame mean to you?

HIS: Keeping alive a heritage of great names, like DeNemethy and Steinkraus. Did you know there are young riders with no idea who Rodney [Jenkins] is? The next generation needs to appreciate where we came from. The HOF has been near and dear to me since Jane Clark, Leonard King, and Gene Mische made it happen. I want to keep promoting who’s in there and what they stood for. Our first Hall of Fame Induction Gala (March 2022) was a home run! We (with course designer/2013 HOF inductee Steve Stephens) had blazers made by a company in Knoxville, TN. It got a lot of play and we’re enthusiastic about doing it again. We’re working on a line of trading cards, and exploring the next home where HOF can stay out in front of people. I haven’t stopped wanting to make a difference.

HERS: Where do you see show jumping evolving in the next 10 years?

HIS: Prize money is going to keep going off the charts. More riders will continue to better manage their super star horses, saving them for specific events. Breakaway cups are still the best invention ever. We’ll keep looking to balance courses between keeping horses safe and appealing to audiences. You’ll see better venues and organizations coming out on top. People will follow the money and facility, whether or not it’s recognized. If you build it, they will come.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity that relies solely on contribu�ons for its opera�ons. Please support efforts to preserve American show jumping history and donate online at www.ShowJumpingHallofFame.net. Share His & Her guest sugges�ons with L.A. at latheequinista@gmail.com