ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7169, 3 October 1888, Page 6

ASHBURTON.

Committee of Management—Messrs M. Stitt, X Millar, Josepu Hunt,, 1). Thornae, P. Williams, and C. «eid. Secretary—Mr J. J. V. Quane.

The annual horse parade under the auspices of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was held at the Show Grounds yesterday afternoon. The entries showed a great falling off, there being only eleven as against twenty last year. Whether it was the alteration of the parade ■ day from Saturday to Tuesday, or the charging of ten shillings entrance fee instead of five shillings, is hard to conjecture; but in view of the large amount of increased business that has recently been transacted in the Ashburton horse market, aud the number of good stallions known to be in the district, it certainly seems strange that so few came forward on what is usually regarded as the opening day of the season. The falling off, too, was In the draughts, a class that had hitherto been strongly represented, both in point of numbers and quality.' Last year there was a round dozen good upstanding and well-bred Clydesdales, but yesterday's prolamine only showed six entries—viz., Young Major, Marquis, Quality Jock, Vanquisher, Conqueror, and Diplomacy, but a seventh, Auchmore (by Lord Salisbury), entered the list on the morning of the parade. The weather was beautifully fine, and the day being an ordinary sale day there was the largest attendance ever seen at any parade held in Ashburton. Great Interest was taken in the horses, and as the seven draught stallions entered the ring they looked an exceedingly useful, well-bred, and good stamp of Clydesdales. The pick of the lot, taken point for point, was Mr McKendry's Diplomacy, by Lord Beaconsfield, dam Pleasant, by Prince Charlie. Diplomacy is a handsome bay, and he has furnished out into an exceedingly well-proportioned horse. He has a splendidfore-end, a good quarter, anda rare set of legs and feet, and his legs are covered with a wealth of good quality hair. He looks a horse full of breeding, has evidently a good constitution, and was brought out in fine condition. Mr John Small's Vanquisher, by Vanquisher, out of a Prince Royal mare, and Mr T. Langley's Conqueror, by Lord Salisbury, dam Scotch Annie, were both brought into the ring in the pink of condition, and they each attracted a lot of favorable comment from horse owners and breeders. It is to be hoped they will be seen competing against each other in the show ring next montn, as there was a pretty eveuly balanced expression of opinion yesterday as to which of the two ought to be placed first. Vanquisher was an exceedingly nice horse last year, but he has grown a lot since, and though only off the grass a fortnight is already looking in rare good fettle. He has already won honors in the show ring and will do so again this season. He took first in the three-year-old class at the Metropolitan Show last year, and will most assuredly take a lot of beating when next he goes into the ring. Conquerer is a handsome, well-pro-portioned horse in every way, with plenty of good bone and substance, and a remarkably active mover. He deservedly won a host of admirers at the parade, and when he comes under the eye of the judges at the coming shows he will reflect credit on his celebrated sire, and be a pride to his present owner. Mr Dan Brick's new purchase, Quality Jock, by Pride of Scotland, dam Bonny Bell by Renfrew Jock, showed off to great advantage. He is a horse with splendid feet and legs, a strong and well-proportioned top, and he movea

with great freedom. He commenced his career in the Ashburton district last Saturday, and Mr Brick deserves every encouragement for having secured to the district an exceedingly useful stamp of draught horse. Young Major was again brought out in splendid condition, and won a lot of favorable comment. Marquis, a big, upstanding, useful style of farm horse, should win a lot of patronage from breeders. Mr R. Gawn's Auchmore, by Lord Salisbury, dam Jess, by Old Champion, was entered on the programme at a late hour, and this well-bred and taking looking sire helped to make up a most creditable ring of Clydesdale stallions, and a lot that would be a credit to any district. Macileathean (by the English Tim Whiflier, dam .Flying Scud, by Fisherman), the well known Liverpool, and Wizard (another King of Clubs) were the only thoroughbreds paraded. They were each looking very tit, and they' are too well known to call for further comment here. Mr Max Friedlander's American trotter Blackwood Abdallah, by Homer, was the only horse shown in the carriage class. Mr Mutton had him in very forward condition, and Blackwood was generally and deservedly admired. A very promising looking chestnut colt, Hercules, by Digby Grand, was entered, but did not come forward. Kingfisher was also absent, though Mr E. Cookson lias the old favorite looking very lit and well. Mr Larry Markey's Johnny Faulkner and Rouser were also conspicuous by their absence, but Larry has them boch ready for their season's travelling. Mr Peter Williams offered the Wizard for sale, but he was passed in. The following is a list of the horses paraded in the several classes : — DRAUGHTS. Mr A. Dawson's Young Major, by Major. Air R. M. Adair's Marquis, by Young Clyde, dam imported. Messrs Brick and Quigley's Quaiity Jock, by Pride of Scotland, dam Bonny Bell, by "Renfrew Jock. Mr John Smalls Vanquisher, by Vanquisher, out of a Prince Koyal mare. Mr T. Laugleys Conqueror, by Lord Salisbury, dam Scotch Anuie. Mr D. McKendry's Diplomacy, by Lord Beaconsfleld, dam Pleasant, by Prince Charlie. Bred by Mr Boag. Mr R. Gawn's Auchmore, by Lord Salisbury, dam Jess, by Old Champion. THOROUGHBREDS. Mr G. Appleton's Macileathean, by Eng lish Tim Whittler, dam Flying Scud, by Fisherman. Mr Win. Kerr's Liverpool, by King of Clubs, dam Idaha. Mr C. Kearn's Wizard, by King of Clubs, dam Charm. CARRIAGE AXD ROADSTERS. Mr Friedlander's Blackwood Abdallah, American-bred horse, by Homer.