Several crosscountry horse races, with wild mustang mounts, took place in the American West between 1880 and 1893. Frank T. Hopkins (pictured) claimed to have won a horse race between Texas and Vermont in 1886. However, historians in both states find no record of the race. (Library of Congress)
continued By age 20, Hopkins was supposedly the fastest cavalry rider alive. He acquired two nicknames, or so he claimed—Laramie Kid and Long Rider.
Hopkins later claimed close encounters with Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and—last but not least—Billy the Kid.
Shortly after his 21st birthday, Hopkins learned about an upcoming endurance race sponsored by a gambler named Buffalo Jones.
The race, which supposedly included high rollers like Jones betting on the outcome, was scheduled to leave Galveston, Texas, located on the Gulf of Mexico, all the way north to inland New England—destination: Rutland, Vt.
The winner of the race would receive a prize of $3,000, a staggering amount of money in those days.
By Hopkins’ own account, he left Wyoming for Texas with an unbroken 800-pound horse named Joe.
Arriving in Galveston, Hopkins entered his name in the upcoming race. Joe was “a dark buckskin with black tips, mane, and tail,” according to Hopkins.
So, by Hopkins telling, on Sept. 6, 1886, 56 riders gathered at the starting line at Old Ferry Point on Galveston Island.
Hopkins was joined by a ragtag gang of cowpokes, ex-cavalry men, American Indians, and military dispatch riders.
At the sound of a pistol, the riders started off on the long, rough overland ride to Vermont. How much of this Texas-to-Vermont race story is true will probably never be known.
Supposedly, race sponsor Buffalo Jones personally financed Hopkins’ ride.
Only one horse per rider was permitted in the race; and a day’s journey could not exceed 10 hours in length.
Judges along the route kept a tally of the riders. Each rider carried a card and presented it to the judges along the way north.
Aside from Hopkins’ personal account of the event, there is no other mention of the race in either Texas or Vermont archives.
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