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"Frank Hopkins"

True Story of Hidalgo

"Greatest endurance rider in American history, or is he a fraud?"

His legend was cemented when he rode his horse Hidalgo to victory.

Frank Hopkins (aka the Laramie Kid)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Frank Hopkins (1865?-1951) was a cowboy from the United States. He was known by his stories about his own exploits, and was an activist for the preservation of the Spanish Mustang.

Hopkins made a number of disputed claims, including claims of being a famous distance/endurance horse racer, winning over 400 races, and the details of his account of a legendary horse race which supposedly took place in Arabia in 1890. This story was adapted into the 2004 film Hidalgo, which received generally positive reviews. However, some argue that most of Hopkins' claims as depicted in the film, including the existence of any such race in the first place, are tall tales or hoaxes.

According to the film, the descendants of the horse Hidalgo, for which the movie was named, live among the herd of Spanish Mustangs on Blackjack Mountain in Oklahoma.

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The True Story of Hidalgo DVD

He rode into history, but many experts question the legend and exploits of Frank T. Hopkins.

• Explore the truth behind the tales that have become legend.
• Learn the details of a recent investigation into Hopkins's exploits
• Narrated by J.V. Martin.

To some, he is the greatest endurance rider in American history. To others, he is a fraud.

In the late 19th century, Frank T. Hopkins won over 400 long distance races in America. He was friends with Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Billy the Kid and Geronimo. And his legend was cemented when he rode his horse Hidalgo to victory in a 3,000-mile Arabian race.

Much of what is known about Hopkins comes from his own writings. But in 2003, The Long Riders Guild, an equestrian organization dedicated to endurance events, launched an investigation into Hopkins' life. They believe there is no proof to support many of his claims. Was he a champion rider, a con artist, or something in between? J.V. Martin narrates this stranger-than-fiction story.

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Websites about Frank Hopkins / Hidalgo:

• Tribute site by the scriptwriter
• The Long Riders Guild

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According to The History Channel's "The True Story of Hidalgo":

• Frank Hopkins claimed he was born in 1865. However, when he married, he listed his birthdate as 1886--making him around 3-years old when the Arabian race was held.
• There are no records indicating Frank Hopkins was born or resided in Fort Laramie.
• Frank Hopkins' name can't be found in the U.S. Calvary records where he claims to have served.
• No records exist of Frank Hopkins working with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
• The Arabian horse race, Oceans of Fire, which he rode Hidalgo to victory had supposedly been a yearly event for 1,000 years. However, there is nothing to indicate there ever was an Oceans of Fire race at any time.
• No proof can be found anywhere that Frank Hopkins ever participated in any horse races.

Before his death, Frank Hopkins wrote down stories of his exploits and claimed they were true. After his death, Mrs. Hopkins claimed all evidence of his adventures were lost. Letters were later found from Mrs. Hopkins that discredited her husband even more.

Regardless of any facts (or lack of), you should definately watch and enjoy the movie "Hidalgo" for pure entertainment.

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The Laramie Kid Hoax - The Long Riders Guild has a great series of articles that fully debunk the claims of Frank Hopkins. Hopkins claimed to have been one of the great horse riders of all time, including among his accomplishments winning a 3,000 mile horse race across Arabia on a mustang named 'Hidalgo.' The Long Riders Guild demonstrates none of Hopkins' claims were true. There's no evidence that he won any races at all or ever participated in any races.

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While some groups try to debunk the exploits of Frank Hopkins, others point out some flaws in their presentations and defend Frank Hopkins. It is pointed out by some that many events and activities were not well documented during this time period. Finding personal records in journals, newspapers, employment records or libraries will often come up empty. This would have been especially true for horse races or challenges held by nomadic tribes who kept records, if any, private and hidden.

If Hidalgo is based on a true story from Frank Hopkins own account, it is no doubt exaggerated, as people tend to stretch the truth when writing about themselves. And in comparison to the OK Coral, it is viewed as a significant historic event, which was only documented by one person-Wyatt Earp.

According to John Fusco, "it should be noted that the Hopkins' debunkers tried to claim that Hopkins knew nothing about horses and that there is no photographic evidence of him horseback. These claims have been proven false as there is now a wealth of accumulated articles and essays by Hopkins that prove that he was an exemplary horseman and knowledgeable distance rider. Recently, an elderly couple came forward to contest the claims against Hopkins and to adamantly state that they rode with him in the past, and that he was the accomplished distance rider that he was celebrated as in the 30's, 40's, and 50's. This couple, respected thoroughbred breeders, also verified the photos of Hopkins that this group tried to debunk, and also produced more photos of Hopkins on horseback (this couple took the photos themselves).

Even more recently, a ranching family diary from the early 1900's has been located in Wyoming, which contains many references to Hopkins as a great distance rider as well as reference to the Arabian race of 1891 (not 1890 as believed). The family is currently having the diary published."

This information is available on the website founded by John Fusco as a tribute to Hopkins - www.FrankHopkins.com.