HORSES AND RIDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 210, 6 September 1927, Page 5

HORSES AND RIDERS.

DOMINION AND AUSTRALIAN. MB. l<. W. NELSON MAKES COMPARISONS. LADY RIDERS AND THEIR WORK. Back from Brisbane. Queensland, where he has been judging the thoroughbred and lightlhorse sections of the Royal Queensland Show, Mr. L. W. Nelson, the well-known New Zealand racing official, makes interesting comparisons between Dominion and Commonwealth standards. He came back to-day by the Ulimaroa, from Sydney, after a seven-weeks' stay in Australia.

"The thoroughbred horses and mares at the Brisbane Show were exceptionally gool," said Mr. Nelson. "The three placed horses had outstanding merit. The winner, Puvoli, was a horse showing plenty of quality and good constitution. In 1923 it put up a great performance in the Melbourne Cup, and was beaten on the post by Bitalli.

"The Show itself was a big success, both with regard to entries and attendance. The average daily attendance was 40,000. Financially, the result was excellent, notwithstanding the extreme situations of some of the pastoralists iu the back country.

Comparisons. "Light horses collectively in Australia are not up to the standard seen at our Dominion premier shows. With one or two exceptions, the Australian horses are disappointing.

"The hunting competitions are good, but the big money being allotted to high jumps is militating against the number of competitors. A notable feature is the number and ability of the lady riders. Some of them showed fine knowledge of their work in handling their mounts. I should say that the lady riders over there would be better than those seen at our New Zealand shows."

Mr. Nelson said that he had never been treated with greater hospitality than he had been on his latest Australian trip. From the Governor to the '-boots" at the hotels, everything had been done for his comfort.

Mr. Nelson is on the Auckland District Committee of the New Zealand Racing Conference.