Light Horse Events A Major Feature Of Show

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29972, 6 November 1962, Page 21

Light Horse Events A Major Feature Of Show

The growth of the light horse and pony sections at the show has been almost phenomenal. At the early shows the draught horses were the main feature of the show and light horse events developed very slowly. As the tractor replaced the draught horse there was a marked rise in the field of riding sports and today the Clydesdale classes have diminished to a token display of historic interest. By 1867 the show classes for horses included hackneys and a boy's pony riding class and by 1870 a leaping match was established. This was in effect a high jump with the bar starting at four feet. Ponies were well represented in 1871 and a class for cobs began. The first class for hunters was instituted in 1874 with the horses to be ridden over a four foot jump. There was only one entry and no award was made. In 1876 the hunter class drew seven entries and the Christchurch Hunt Club awarded 10 guineas as the prize for the best hunter. With the shift to Addington the association's new trotting track came into use at the 1887 show with two classes for trotting horses shown in harness. The following year a three-mile trot was held and in 1889 there were classes for polo ponies, hunters, the leaping match and a wire jump for Which the Christchurch Hunt Club presented a prize of 10 guineas. With the building of the grand stand in 1895 the need was obvious for more activity in the show ring in front of the stand and jumping and riding events were extended in 1897. In 1900 the hunter classes had grown considerably and “The Press” reported: “The good old English sport is very much alive in Canterbury." Although competitions were being held in front of the stand since 1897 the judging of the saddle classes did not take place there until 1902. The horse section continued to grow, and by the 60th jubilee show in 1923 the classes were filling much of the three days of the show Several well-known names appear in the 1923 prize list. B. C. Rutherford's Harkaway was the best heavy-weight I hunter, Mrs Bethell's Skilful the light-weight hunter, and ! the Renown Challenge Cup i for open hunter was won by i Miss D. Mowat’s Elaine. D. I W. Westenra’s Surprise won ! the Gillanders Cup and Miss i I. Rutherford’s Rock Ahoy i was champion hack. John 1 Selby was the best boy rider | under 15 and Mary Wells the I with this year's record figure i of 1600. 1 Today the light horse | events are of as high a standard as anywhere in the country and there is a wide range

of events. There are 14 classes for hunters and jumping competitions for horses, two pony competitions, three action classes for harness horses, cobs and ponies, 13 harness pony classes and four for horses, 33 saddle pony classes in two groups and 15 pony riding classes, 11 saddle horse classes and six for trotters and pacers.

One of the most popular features of the show in recent years was the Hawke’s Bay equestrian quadrille which performed at the 1960 show demonstrating the pre-

cision training and control which can be achieved in the field of riding sports. best girl rider under 15. H. S. Kyle won the pony entire class under 14 hands, and H. M. Jarden the under 12 hands class and J. Watson showed the best polo pony. In the draught classes L. W. Storry showed the champion stallion and D. G. Wright the champion mare. The prize for best artillery horse was won by N.Z. Breweries. Horse numbers have continued to grow. There were 710 entries in 1933. 1069 in 1948, and a record 1531 in the 1955 Royal Show. Last year there were 1475, compared