OT: The First Scarlet Knight Horse and The Passing of Scarlet Knight #1

[Source]

So where did the "Scarlet Knights" suggestion come from? The October 3, 1982 Home News reported that at a 27-17 Homecoming victory over William & Mary the day before, "Oscar Huh of Baton Rouge, La. vividly recalled mounting a grey gelding named Duke in 1955 and appearing on the field - after just a few riding lessons - as RU prepared to battle Penn State (on November 12). Yesterday marked the first time he's seen a game on the banks of the Raritan since his graduation from Rutgers College in 1957.

Huh got to be the mascot after writing an essay for a sophomore English composition class suggesting the Scarlet Knight should replace the Chanticleer as the university's rollicking leader on the field. As he sat in his third floor room of his fraternity house pondering what to write, near him lay a book about the Red Baron titled, "The Red Knight of Germany." His decision to spin a sardonic tale about the Red Knight - later changed to match the school color - won him the overwhelming backing of the student body.

"Personally, it's great to see an idea take root and serve the university,' said Huh..." His ride occurred three weeks after student rider Charles Breuel made the first appearance of the Scarlet Knight at a football game.

Oscar Huh died on December 31, 2013. He was born in Hackensack and studied geology at Rutgers.

Scarlet Knight #1 - Oscar Huh 1935-2013

 

[DJ Spanky]

Anyone remember that horse they made for the basketball games at the RAC?

 

[rutgersdave]

Will there be enough money in the budget to get a new horse?

 

[bac2therac]

The current horse did not die

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

hold on, the 1st time the Knight on the Horse rode unto the field was against Penn State? I did not know that.

 

[Source]

"...hold on, the 1st time the Knight on the Horse rode unto the field was against Penn State?..."

The first time the Scarlet Knight rode a horse mascot was at Homecoming in 1955 against Lehigh. Three weeks later Oscar Huh was honored for winning the new contest to change the nickname to Scarlet Knights. They gave him a few horse riding lessons and he appeared in costume at the Penn State game.

 

[Source]

Lord Nelson was followed by Lord Espartero IV who retired at the end of the 2007 season. Has it been one, or several, horses, that have been the mascot for the last seven seasons? What is/are their names?

 

[RUChoppin]

I'm pretty sure it's been one, but I can never remember the name.

 

[LinDan516]

I think after 2007, the horse(s) were Mardi, short for Mardi Gras , (do not know why this name) & then Colonel (as in Col. Henry?) Don't know if it is the same horse, but the handler is/was the same as the one for Lord Espatero . Used to bring the horse into White lot pre game.