this is a book about chariot racing

During the 1960s and into the 1970s, the Salt Lake Valley Cutter Association sponsored horse races, including chariot, cutter, and flat racing. My dad, Bob Carter, and brothers Mike and Scott were active in these events, joining a small but hardy contingent of horsemen to compete week after week in this obscure sport. Cold nor snow nor deep mud dissuaded them from competing. Their rugged spirit and love of horses left a lasting impression on the events and on the lives of their friends. This book chronicles these races.

Written, compiled, and designed by Rob Carter

January 3, 1965 1st Phil Nielsen2nd Frank Fletcher

Jimmy Manning accompanies Phil in the chariot for a winning photograph.

January 10, 1965 1st Phil Nielsen and Bob Carter2nd Henry Stanley

Two good horses; two brave warriors.

Be the horses. This is how it is done! Phil at the helm.

January 24, 1965 1st Phil Nielsen 2nd Ron Robinson

February 7, 1965 1st Bob Carter and Phil Nielsen2nd Gary Hall

Where is the other chariot team?

March 21, 1965 1st Bob Carter2nd Vance Withers

March 28, 1965 1st Bob Carter and Phil Nielsen2nd Ike Eldredge

Neck to neck, letting the horses run with loose reins.

Bob Carter crossing the finish line, moving his horses forward in his classic stance.

December 5, 1965 1st Bob Carter2nd Gary Hall

Scott Carter riding shotgun.

December 12, 1965 1st Bob Carter2nd Ron Robinson

Scott Carter backs up his dad in the chariot.

An easy win.

December 19, 1965 1st Bob Carter2nd Glade Linnebaugh

December 26, 1965 1st Bob Carter2nd Frank Fletcher

Phil Nielsen holding a steaming horse. It is a cold December day.

1965 1st Rider and horse unknown2nd Mike Carter on Nikky

“Give it all you’ve got, Mike!

January 10, 1965 1st Darrell Hall2nd Bob Carter

January 2, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd DeRay Hall

January 30, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd Keith Burt

Phil tilts his hat: Howdy pardner!

March 5, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd Phil Nielsen

March 12, 1966 1st Mike Carter on Cazdan2nd (rider unknown) on Tom Tinkey

In stocking feet, Mike grins proudly after an all-out flat race.

March 26, 1966 1st Mike Carter on Seman2nd Al Searle on Dunnskee

Mike did it again a week later.

April 2, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd Lamar Avery

April 2, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd Lamar Avery

Group photo after a four-horse chariot race. Bob Carter and Phil Nielsen are seen in the far right car.

April 9, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd Leo Stanton

December 26, 1966 1st Bob Carter2nd Art Anderson

January 22, 1967 1st Darrell Hall on Rusty2nd Mike Carter on Spot

Too close to call.

February 12, 1967 1st Bob Carter2nd Gale Martin

February 18, 1967 1st Phil Nielsen2nd Max Withers

February 26, 1967 Dead Bob CarterHeat Leo Stanton

December 2, 1967 1st Bob Carter2nd Max Withers

December 30, 1967 1st Bob Carter2nd Stuart Sprouse

February 19, 1967 1st Mike Carter2nd Ike Eldredge

February 26, 1967 Dead Bob CarterHeat Cloyd Peterson

March 5, 1967 1st Phil Nielsen Bob Carter2nd Willie Freeman Max Withers

July 9, 1967 1st Bob Carter Phil Nielsen2nd Willie Freeman, Max Withers

A four-horse chariot race.

“Digging out after a crash.”

January 27, 1968 1st Phil Nielsen2nd Max Withers

February 3, 1968 1st Bob Carter2nd Cal Poulsen

During the C of C Winter Carnival.

ca. 1967Bob Carter and Jimmy Manning steer wrestling, and grinning ear to ear.

February 15, 1970The Horseman, Bob Carter

Mike Carter with Dad and Phil in the bleachers.

Opposite:Spots before our eyes!

Left to right:Herb SmithFlip HarmonDon GrangeJess IorgKen Christensen

Starters, flag men, and pick-up menfor the Salt Lake Valley Cutter Association,1964-1965.

ca. 1965Left to right:Don GrangeMike CarterBob CarterPhil Nielsen

ca. 1965Left to right:Herb SmithMike CarterKen Christensen

This book is dedicated to Scott Averett Carter, February 10, 1955 – August 28, 1996.