Changes Suggested For Show Horses

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 22

Changes Suggested For Show Horses

A revision of lighthorse classes at the Christchurch Show would “keep them up-to-date,” in the view of Mrs A. L Dunn, of Fairlie, whose suggestions for such were read to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s general committee meeting yesterday. Mrs Dunn put forward a revision based on division of hacks and hunters into two sections under “the accepted English method”—hacks 14.2 to 15 3 hands, and hunters over 15.3 hands—and as used in Hawke’s Bay. Mrs Dunn also thought that a clerk in a pink coat on a grey horse would lend “an air of control” to the show ring. Her suggested revision would solve the question of unruly classes, and keep the association up-to-date. Clerks on grey horses should be used to usher classes into their rings. Prizewinners could be placed in front of discs bearing the award.

“Then they should be ushered from the ring by the clerk in his pink coat on his grey horse,” said Mrs Dunn. “I have seen this done —and it does lend an air of control to the ring.” Draft Offered Mrs Dunn offered to make a full draft of classes and conditions should her suggestions be excepted—which meantime will be referred to the association’s light horse committee. Chairman’s Comment Asked about the reference In Mrs Dunn’s letter that the Christchurch Show’s lighthorse classes were out of date, Mr T. C. Grigg, chairman of the light-horse committee, said: “Thought has been given to that matter, but we have not regarded the time as yet ripe for a change.” Of Mrs Dunn’s suggested draft of classes, put forward in her letter, Mr Grigg said: “1 would not agree with the limiting of owners and riders of show hunters to members of hunts. I think Mrs Dunn places too much emphasis on .

the light-weight hack, as the heavy-weight hack is the more useful horse in New Zealand conditions.”

Mrs Dunn’s suggested draft of classes is: Hack* Novice hack, 14.2 to 15 hands. Novice hack, 15 to 15.3 hands. Hack under 15 hands. Hack 15 to 15.3 hands. Lady's hack. Paced and mannered hack. "Teen-age” hack (rider under 21.) I Pair of hacks. I Champion hack.

Novice show hunter, lightweight. Novice show hunter, heavyweight. Show hunter, lightweight. Show hunter, heavyweight. [All owners and riders of show hunters to be members of a hunt. Novice show hunters not to have won a first prize in a hack or show-hunter class in saddle.] Working hunter, lightweight (to be jumped.) Working hunter, heavyweight (to be jumped.) Lady’s hunter turnout (horses to have been hunted.) Paced and mannered hunter. Pair of hunters. Young hunter (specified conditions.)