Clydesdale judge encouraged by breed standard

Press, 10 November 1983, Page 24

Clydesdale judge encouraged by breed standard

The judge of . the Clydesdale section, Mr A. J. Martin, of Whakatane, was most impressed with the “beautiful turnout” of broodmares presented yesterday. Mr Martin said it was “very encouraging for the breed,” and added that the younger female stock has “quite a future to it.” The champion broodmare, Messrs L. R. Dalzell and J. E. Coldstream’s Fay, “had the. capacity of a true Clydesadale, clean, well grown and developed with a good shoulder and plenty of strength” On the whole, stock was well presented, with the champion male a very clean moving, nicely coupled, colt, with potential. Mr Martin stressed the importance of good clean feet and legs in order to produce the right action, and urged breeders to keep feet short, rathei- than long and flat as he had seen in some cases.

It was also important to maintain .the size of the

breed, as weight and scope was vital to handle the hard work required of Clydesdales. Both the number and quality of in hand ponies shown was disappointingly low, according to the judge, Mr D. W. Wallace, of Outram.

In some classes there were fewer than three entries, ' which Mr Wallace said was “almost unheard of’ for Canterbury shows. He said it was a reflection of the hard economic times and added that “transport costs must have a bearing.” The ’ champion and reserve were outstanding ponies, and also filled the same places in the two-year-old class. Mr Wallace also said the broodmare class, one of the larger sections, was of a good standard. •The Welsh ponies exhibited were of a “lovely standard,” according to the judge, Miss L. Moore, of Morrjnsville. The turnout was excep-

tionally high, and over all those shown were true to the breed. The champion young stock entries were high, and the champion a “very nice colt.” Although there were fewer entries in the stallion class than Miss Moore had hoped, the future of the breed looked good. Mr E. W. Wilson, of Wyndham, who judged the Arab section, described the standard over all as “very good” The yearling purebred class was particularly strong, in both entries and standards, and there was little to separate the placed horses.

The standard of presentation was high, and the horses shown were a good representation of the breed, he said.

The number of entries was “a little disappointing,” but the quality m general was impressive, Mr Wilson said/ .