Woman's book on trotting

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32634, 16 June 1971, Page 6

Woman ' s book on trotting

A book about the early history of trotting in Ashburton County, and the introduction of the standardbred horse, has been written by Mrs E. McQuilkin, of Ashburton.

The book, “Early Days of Trotting in the Ashburton County,” involved about two years of research and writing by Mrs McQuilkin, who was approached by the Ashburton Trotting Club to record the history of the sport in the district, and the role of the trotting club in its establishment.

Mrs McQuilkin had previously written a series of articles, 10 years' ago, on the development of trotting in the district

COMPANY’S FIRST The book, which is now being distributed to booksellers in Ashburton and other New Zealand centres and will be on sale this week, is the first to be printed and published by the Bruce Printing Company, of Ashburton. The limited first edition has been printed on quality paper and is of 125 pages. It contains 29 photographs of the early era of trotting. The book’s jacket has been designed by Mr R. J. Me-

Dowell, a well-known Ashburton artist, and features a trotting horse in action. Mrs McQuilkin has had a long association with trotting in the district, and has been involved in the breeding and training side of thd sport. Besides her interest in trotting, Mrs McQuilkin, is a foundation member and secretary of the Ashburton Historical Society. She has given many years of service to the Ashburton community in various fields, and was awarded the M.B.E. for her work in 1963. RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN To gather material for the 1 book, Mrs McQuilkin Visited 1 libraries in Christchurch and ' Wellington, as well as un- i dertaking considerable re- ’ search locally. She-said the i book dealt particularly with 1 the introduction of the stan- i bard-bred horse from the i United States to New Zea-

land and the Ashburton County, and the important ’ part played by early Ashbur- ! ton landowners in the devel- < opment of this new type of t racing horse. t, . i In a preface to her book, j Mrs McQuilkin says that the t Ashburton Trotting Club was I one of the pioneer clubs in j New Zealand, and for 801 years the Ashburton district t has bred and raced mtay of ii the best horses in New Zealand. v “Every effort has been a

• made to record by illustrai tion, by breeding records, and by racing and personal i notes the part played by the earlier racing enthusiasts in i their : overwhelmingly succesful establishment of the : sport,” she says. ■ Mrs. McQuilkin said yesterday that she had received many inquiries from trotting interests in othei parts of New Zealand regarding her book. She described ft book on Ip a foreword to the book, Mr A. J. Mason, of Ashbur ton, who also has a close association with trotting, says that the book gives an interesting and colourful account of the unique rise of trotting in ,- th* Ashburton County, which has become a veritable stronghold ofi the sport in New Zealand, with a record of achievement second to none.

DEDICATION The book is dedicated to Mrs W. T. Lowe, of Hinds, who at 90 years of age is still a successful owner and breeder of trotting horses. She is the mother of W. E, Lowe, a leading trotting breeder, owner, trainer, and driver; H. H. Lowe, a leading owner, breeder, and trainer; and I. Lowe, who has also retained the family interest in breeding trotting horses. Four daughters are also well known in trotting circles as owners and breeders.