What you might not know about the American author
Film star Gary Cooper, on horseback, tees off on the first hole at the national celebrities golf tournament held at the Congressional Country Club. The actor was capitalizing on his recent success in 'High Noon' (1952).
A young Jacqueline Bouvier rides horseback as her dad, John, walks at her side. She would later become Jacqueline Kennedy after marrying John F. Kennedy on September 12, 1953.
Charlie Chaplin swaps his bowler hat for a riding hat in this 1931 snap of the "Little Tramp" on horseback.
Actor Tom Mix visits with a group of school children during the filming of 'Destry Rides Again' (1932). Mix was Hollywood's first Western star.
One of Hollywood's great leading men at the time, Clark Gable takes to the saddle in 1939, the same year he made 'Gone with the Wind.'
King George VI with Princess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret at Windsor Great Park, England, in 1938. Elizabeth ascended the throne as Queen Elizabeth II after her father's death in 1952.
The American actor and the future 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan enjoys a horse ride during his 1949 visit to London.
Actress Grace Kelly rides side saddle in New York's Central Park during a 1956 visit to the Big Apple. She became Princess Grace of Monaco in April of that year.
Mallet in hand, Steve McQueen zeroes in on the ball during a country club polo practice match before filming a scene for 'The Thomas Crown Affair' (1968).
An accomplished horseman, Charles, Prince of Wales is seen here way back in April 1967, cheered by a crowd during a polo match.
More city slicker than cowboy, Elvis Presley was nonetheless competent in the saddle and was often seen out horse riding with friends and family on the grounds of his Memphis home, Graceland. This photograph is from 1968.
Three Beatles–Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon–driving a horse and carriage during a rare break away from screaming fans in New York's Central Park. Bandmate George Harrison was recovering from a sore throat at their hotel when this February 1964 snapshot was taken.
Linda McCartney, atop her Appoloosa horse, poses with husband Paul in this 1979 image. The pair often rode together in the countryside surrounding their Sussex farmhouse.
The "Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry with Champion the Wonder Horse. The original Champion, seen here with Autry in the early 1940s, appeared in his films from 1935 to 1942.
Bianca Jagger making her notorious entrance astride a white horse during her birthday celebrations at Studio 54 in New York in May 1977.
Legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy take a break from filming the hilarious silent classic 'Wrong Again' (1929) to admire their co-star, a horse, standing on a piano.
A teenaged Elizabeth Taylor with her stabled movie horse "The Pie," in a publicity still issued for the film 'National Velvet' (1944).
This portrait of a cute-looking Marlon Brando as a child on a pony dates back to 1932. Forty years later, another horse would become the subject of a notorious scene in 'The Godfather.'
American actor and singer Roy Rogers with his horse, Trigger. The original Trigger was, in fact, called Golden Cloud and passed away in 1965, after a long and distinguished career during which he learned 150 trick cues and could walk 15 m (50 ft) on his hind legs.
American-born French entertainer Josephine Baker on her horse on the grounds of her home, Château des Milandes, in the 1940s.
Olivia Newton-John films her first music video on horseback for her 1975 pop single 'Follow Me,' from the album 'Have You Never Been Mellow.'
The Canadian-American actress loved horses. In 1950, she purchased an 11-room ranch house on five-and-a-half acres above Beverly Hills, which included a large stable facility.
Apparently too lazy to dismount, Shirley MacLaine takes a telephone call on horseback on the set of the Western 'The Sheepman' (1957).
Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida rides naked on horseback for a publicity photo for her 1965 film 'Strange Bedfellows.'
British actress Charlotte Rampling, known for here appearance in several controversial movies, including Visconti's 'The Damned' (1969) and the erotic psychological drama 'The Night Porter,' is seen here in the 1970s escaping the limelight in the countryside on horseback.
Swashbuckling actor Errol Flynn and his son, Sean, enjoy a ride around his estate grounds. Sean Flynn later became a photojournalist and was captured by Communist guerrillas in Cambodia in 1970. He was never seen again and was declared legally dead in 1984.
Italian-born actor and heartthrob Rudolph Valentino on horseback in front of the entrance gate to Valhalla, New York.
One of the last photographs taken of William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody towards the end of his Wild West Show days, late 19th or early 20th century. He was one of the most colorful characters of the American Old West and an early entertainment celebrity.
See also: How wild was the Wild West, really?
For many celebrities, jumping on horseback and taking a ride is their way of relaxing and enjoying downtime away from the lights and cameras. Indeed for some, horses have been a way of life since childhood. Others have used horses in sport, for ceremonial purposes, or for novel publicity stills to promote a movie or a TV program. And hey, a few of these beautiful and powerful animals have become celebrities in their own right!
Click through the following gallery and giddy-up with this throwback look at stars in the saddle.
Vintage celebrity horseback moments
In the saddle with the stars
CELEBRITY Horses
For many celebrities, jumping on horseback and taking a ride is their way of relaxing and enjoying downtime away from the lights and cameras. Indeed for some, horses have been a way of life since childhood. Others have used horses in sport, for ceremonial purposes, or for novel publicity stills to promote a movie or a TV program. And hey, a few of these beautiful and powerful animals have become celebrities in their own right!
Click through the following gallery and giddy-up with this throwback look at stars in the saddle.