February 5, 1949 was a special day in the equestrian world when Chilean Army officer Captain Alberto Larraguibel Morales and the Thoroughbred stallion Huaso set the world high jump record at 2.47 metres (8ft 1in). Incredibly, that record still stands, 74 years later!
The venue where the fabulous pair jumped their way into the record books was the Chilean Army Riding School in San Isidro de Quillota. Now over 100 years old, it will be the competition venue hosting the equestrian disciplines for this year’s Pan American Games.
The record-breaking fence is still onsite, and so is Huaso, in the form of a statue commemorating the horse that jumped himself and his rider into history.
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