STRATFORD SHOW

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 December 1926, Page 6

STRATFORD SHOW

POPULAR SECOND DAY. RECORD RECEIPTS. CONCLUDING RESULTS. ' J { " The Stratford A. and P. Association’s show was concluded yesterday, ‘ when, despite the handicap imposed by intermittent showers ol rain, the at- .* tendance reached a record for *the fixture, the gate takings amounting to £423, and the total number of those present being estimated at between 7000 and 8000. Trains from the north and south brought large contingents of visitors, while hundreds of private brought quotas from the near and outlying districts, and residents of Stratford left the town practically deserted to join in the throng, the enthusiasm of which appeared in no way dampened by the inclement weather conditions. Throughout the day knots of spectators round the stock pens and the machinery and other trade exhibits gave evidence of the keen interest displayed in the many sections of the show, while patrons of a wide range of side shows spent halcyon hours in enjoying the entertainment provided. THE GRAND PARADE.

The grand parade, which commenced promptly at 1.15, presented an imposing spectacle as the champions and other prize-winning animals, xo the number of 180, circled the ling and formed in mass before the stand. Pride of place was taken by the cattle section, with Mr. J. O’Shea’s Galatea Rozme Segis, as the North Island Friesian bull champion, leading the way. He was attended by other males of this breed, and a group of 20 cows and heifers led by the North Island champion—the same owner’s Pauline Pietertje Alcartra. In stately procession followed 55 beautiful Jerseys, 23 Ayrshires, a dozen well-proportioned Shorthorns, and a number of grade cattle and school children’s exhibits. A conspicuous figure among the whole was the Shorthorn female champion aijd a former Royal winner—owned by Mr. J. C. Wright, of Normanby—the body ol which was completely covered wit!) prize ribbons. The cattle were followed by the prize-winning thoroughbreds and hunters, gigs, ponies, Clydesdales, and tradesmen’s vehicles, the whole drawing spontaneous manifestations oi appreciation from the big crowd of spectators, while the splendid order maintained by the marshal, Mr. A. Stewart, was 'freely commended. EQUESTRIAN DISPLAY. There was a particularly classy list of entries for the open hunters’ competition, the trophy attached to which event is the fine cup presented by Mr. E P. Symes, of Waverley. Twelve competed, including the great jumpers Gilgai, Osprey, Darnley, Prince Paul, Hineroa (of Eeilding), and several local horses well known over hurdles. Gilgai, the winner, ridden by G. DSmith, put in a practically favultless run and finished with a wonderful water jump. Osprey, which had two wins to his credit, was equally good over the course until at the water, when he swerved and jumped to the side, though well. He was consequently placed second. Sid Mcßae was the rider. Kineroa, a Feilding horse, a beautiful black owned by Mrs. V. Sutton and ridden by G. Smith, also

jumped remarkably well and ran into third place. The placing of lirst and second was the same in the ladies’ hunters competition, Gilgai and Osprey being ridden by Miss Brown (formerly of Hawera), and C. Paterson’s Glen Royal securing third place. Miss Brown' also scored the 'award for riding in the ladies’ event. The pony leaping was really good and competition exceedingly keen. Mr. S. Paterson, of Kapuni, and Mr. C. Kerrisk, of Ohangai, scored places in a good held. STOCK RIDING THRILLS. Popular anticipation ran high in the expectation of excitement and amusement in the steer riding competition. A rough lot of steers had been collected, and the business of preparing them for the arena took considerable time and organisation. The animals were housed in a pen near the ring, with a narrow race running to the ring fence, where a temporary gate was erected. The animals one by one were urged into this race and held there while the rider mounted, and the door being opened—as it might have been in the Colosseum of old —the steed and rider emerged for the struggle. In a few cases the man stuck fast and overcame the struggles of his mount, but in most cases he went over the head of the excited animal or was thrown to the side. The winner, 15. C. Johnson, of Inglewood, who made ' the third entry, showed marked ability to stick to his mount and, despite every effort oil the animal’s part, he rode it down the ring and back into the centre, amid the plaudits of an excited crowd. It was a, great performance, but was marked by an element of luck in the animal given to him. The second prize-taker, A. Harrison (Hawera) also showed fin© ‘■steersmanship,” and went well down the ring before being ‘"released” by means ol a specially vigorous effort. The two who tied for third place, J. Bryant and J. Mannings, of Hawera, both <iitl well. The sixth rider to appear, H. Glentworth (Eltham), did a most unusual thing He was projected half over the steer’s head and remained suspended straight out for several seconds. It was tine gymnastics. In one case the steer’s head appeared over the high gate of the enclosure, and it looked as though the beast was likely to jump right over into the ring before getting his rider. Several other riders did well, but" struck exceedingly difficult beasts, and tlxev gave exhibitions that. for the time they were on, were better than any of the winners. In one case an official narrowly escaped being run down, and haa to lump to save his skin. Unfortunately, there were a few accidents, C. Thompson (New Plymouth) sustaining a bad kick and cut on the forehead, and C. Bailey (Hawera) a wrist injury. Otherwise the proceedings were free from trouble, but it is doubtful if the experiment was all that was expected. Concluding results were as follow: RING EVENTS. Judge: Mr. H. Weall, Te Awamutu. Open hunters’ competition (not less than 12st). —A. Mercer’s (Patea) Gilgai 1. S. Symes’ (Waverley) Osprey 2, Mrs. V. Sutton’s (Feilding) Kineroa 3. G. lv. Smith rode the first and third and S. Mcßae the second. Lady hunters’ competition. —} A. Mercer’s Gilgai 1, S. Symes’ (Waverley) Osprey 2, C. Paterson’s (Kapuni) Glen Royal 3. Miss M. Brown rode the first and second and Mrs. Bekker the third placed horse. Lady rider. —Miss M. Brown (Hawera) I, Mrs. Bekker (Wanganui) 2. Pony leaping competition, for boys under 15 years, ponies 14 hands or un-

der.-D. Collins’ (Stratford) Opossum 1. C. Paterson’s (Kapuni) entry 2, G. Kerrisk’s (Ohangai) Blue Boy 3. Consolation jump.—-Mrs. V. Sutton’s Kineroa 1. Ivon Calcs’ (Waitara) Parekura 2.

Steer buck-jumping.—E. C. Johnson (Inglewood) 1, A. Harrison (Hawera) 2, J. Bryant and J. Mannings (Hawera). equal, 3.