HOLLAND, GEORGE E. (1875-1960) Rider. The son of George F. Holland. Threw his first somersault on horseback when 13. Debuted before the public at 14 on the HollandGormley Circus; next year, 1890, a featured principal rider, John Robinson's. Parents left Robinson's, 1893, but young George remained through 1897. Gollmar Bros.' enticed him away for 2 seasons, then back to Robinson's, 1900. Was advertised as "The World's Greatest Somersaulting Rider," once turning 56 consecutive somersaults. Married, November 1901, to Rose Dockrill, equestrienne daughter of Elise Dockrill, in Savannah, GA. Performed as individuals and as a team; were announced as "Holland and Dockrill, the World's Greatest Riders," and appeared on snow white horses, of which they owned several. Opened with a fast jockey act, Rose did her haute ecole presentation, a carrying act, in which George stood on the horse and lifted Rose to his shoulders, and then George's somersaulting routines. Went into vaudeville, 1920's; continued to perform in their fifties, working for small circuses; final public performance, 1939, St. Louis Police Circus.
SOURCE (facts): "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle: A Biographical Dictionary of the Nineteenth ...", pages 131-132, by William L. Slout.
Source [link]: http://www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansH2.htm
[Written permission solicited.]
SOURCE (facts): "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle: A Biographical Dictionary of the Nineteenth ...", pages 131-132, by William L. Slout.
Source [link]: http://www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansH2.htm
[Written permission solicited.]
HOLLAND, GEORGE E. (1875-1960) Rider. The son of George F. Holland. Threw his first somersault on horseback when 13. Debuted before the public at 14 on the HollandGormley Circus; next year, 1890, a featured principal rider, John Robinson's. Parents left Robinson's, 1893, but young George remained through 1897. Gollmar Bros.' enticed him away for 2 seasons, then back to Robinson's, 1900. Was advertised as "The World's Greatest Somersaulting Rider," once turning 56 consecutive somersaults. Married, November 1901, to Rose Dockrill, equestrienne daughter of Elise Dockrill, in Savannah, GA. Performed as individuals and as a team; were announced as "Holland and Dockrill, the World's Greatest Riders," and appeared on snow white horses, of which they owned several. Opened with a fast jockey act, Rose did her haute ecole presentation, a carrying act, in which George stood on the horse and lifted Rose to his shoulders, and then George's somersaulting routines. Went into vaudeville, 1920's; continued to perform in their fifties, working for small circuses; final public performance, 1939, St. Louis Police Circus.
SOURCE (facts): "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle: A Biographical Dictionary of the Nineteenth ...", pages 131-132, by William L. Slout.
Source [link]: http://www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansH2.htm
[Written permission solicited.]
SOURCE (facts): "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle: A Biographical Dictionary of the Nineteenth ...", pages 131-132, by William L. Slout.
Source [link]: http://www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansH2.htm
[Written permission solicited.]
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