European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 19, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse At left a rider loses his balance after keeping his grip on the Goose for a second too Long. Doctor Quot Ludo Kouwenberg and two assistants tend to a fallen rider. Which turned out to be Only hot mulled red wine. The festival spawned a Large supporting cast including one fellow in a policeman s outfit who seemed to be wringing fines out of pedestrians for no reason in particular. The Quot policeman Quot Tony Corryne said the fines a the equivalent of about 50 cents in belgian francs a would help defray the Cost of a party for All the contestants and their friends a which included the greater part of the population in the five City area. Only his friends really had to pay the Fine Tony explained. Nevertheless Tony seemed to have a lot of friends. As the Start of the contest approached people from each participating town joined in a colourful procession that passed through the streets of Zandvliet and ended at the town Square the site of the Quot Goose floats pulled by John Deere tractors carried the proud members of the five Goose Riding clubs who waved to the onlookers and tossed Candy to the children. Brightly costumed marching bands followed cheerfully. A veterinarian killed the 20-Pound Goose. It was placed in Strong netting and then was Hung head Down from a horizontal wooden pole about 15 feet off the ground. Several thousand people of All Ages gathered outside the crowd barriers that enclosed the Sandy improvised horse track. The crowd gave warm greetings to All the Goose riders but the biggest ovation went to the Hometown favorite de Backer last year s Champion. De Backer his charcoal Grey thoroughbred decorated with a Garland of red and White roses wore a Black velvet Cape and a brass and bejewelled emperor s Crown As he Rode a few practice laps. Once the actual contest began it soon became Clear that a Winner would t emerge quickly. About 45 minutes after the Start the festival s master Cutter a Man named Maurice Schneider used his pocket knife to loosen the netting that held the Goose. Once in a while someone fell off his horse for the fun of it and received Quot medical attention Quot from a doctor and two nurses. They painted his face gave him something to drink wrapped his head in Gauze and sent him off laughing. The crowd yelled encouragement to some riders and laughed derisively when a rider missed the Goose altogether. After several hours on the unusually warm Day the riders and horses visibly perspire. The master Cutter had several times loosened the netting. The crowd was restless. On his final run de Backer sat Forward in his Saddle staring in Complete concentration. And then he made for the Goose. The crowd which had been pulling for him All Day suddenly erupted in screams and shouts and swarmed around his horse. His fellow club members carried him away on their shoulders. Stanny had won in the clutch. Above two Young spectators Wear the colors of the Zandvliet Goose Riding team. At left Maurice Schneider prepares to Cut away some of the netting around the Goose s photos by Jim Derheim april 19, 1990 stripes Magazine 7
