HORSES AT EARLY SHOWS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 10 November 1933, Page 2

HORSES AT EARLY SHOWS

“Burnbank” Prize Winners

FOUNDATION STOCK RECALLED Noted South Taranaki Breed ,Some years ago a writer in the I “'Hawera Star” referred to the fine example of material support given to all the A. and P. shows in Hawera by the late Mr. J. D. Mitchell, of Manaia, and Id's sons. ‘ ‘ J.D.,” although at that time an octogenarian, still gave his support and energy to all the shows; in fact, many of the old habitues regarded a gathering incomplete -without “J.D.” and his exhibits. His son David also was an ardent supporter in the Clydesdale section and no jumping competition was complete without “Jim” Mitchell and later on “Alec,” who took the lead in jumping competitions after hi's brother became Captain Mitchell and left to reside in 1 other parts. Among the old settlois prefixed titles and surnames were not 1 used; just “J.D.,” ‘“Dave,” “Jim” ! and “Alee.” , n L One day last Aveek a reporter called ‘ on Mr. Alee Mitchell at his fine ! “.Burnbank” property on the Noxmanby Road, Manaia, and Avas soon m M the fiiidst of a most interesting story lof early 'llaAvera shows, substantiated , by p number of excellent photographs 'of prize stock. Mr. Mitchell’s father s came to the district from the 'South Island in 1881 and established the old I

“Burnbank” homestead on Mitchell Road. As a loA r er of horses, .the Clydesdale breed was his particular fancy and it was not unnatural that he should be found as an exhibitor at the first show with. a fine horse named Blackleg. Mr. Mitchell went back to the South Island soon afterwards and returned with Director, a stallion of high repute, bred by the Hon. Matthew Holmes, which won countless prizes in the 'showring. In 1892 Mr. 'Mitchell attended the Dunedin exhibition and purchased a horse, Glengyle, which won first and champion at Hawera and similar aivards elseAvhere and sired some of Taranaki’s best Clydesdale stock. Knight of the Thistle, another fine horse oivned at “Burnbank,” was imported originally by ’the late Mr. Alec. Alexander, of New Plymouth. The last of (Mr. Mitchell’s importations was Oimyo, which competitors of the day will'have occasion to remember as the equal of any of his predecessors. Although Mr. Alec Mitchell was quite young at the time, he remembers attending some of the first shows and the enormous amount of work entailed in preparing the horses for competition. “‘lt used to take us fully a week to get to the show,” he said, “for the horses had to be walked to Hawera one at a time from Manaia and paddocked. and given all the attention that was necessary prior to and on show day. Mr. Mitchell confided that this treatment had a good deal to do with the winning of prizes and the subsequent sale of the animals at a substantial figure. Shows such as the Egmont fixture meant more to a breeder of horses, sheep or cattle than the mere winning of a championship or a first place. While Mr. Mitchell, senr., was most interested in his 'Clydesdales, Mr. Alec Mitchell, had a bent for riding. _ The best shoivs in New Zealand for jumpers, in his opinion, were Hawera and Palmerston North .and a magnificent collection of silver plafe testifies to his personal success with horses of his own breeding and as a rider over “sticks. ’ At Hawera it was not uncommon for 20 or 30 entrants to take part in the main jumping event. To A\ r in a priz’e in such a field Avas indeed an honour. Among other successful riders were Messrs. H. Hassell, D. Noke, J. Coombes, whose name is associated Avith that of his great mare Duchess, and "Budge Gordon, huntsman of the E'gm'en t-Wanganui Hunt Club, which had its origin in Manaia. Miss Maggie Briggs was a well-known horsewoman of those days and an enquiry revealed the fact that when last heard of she Avas residing in Los Angeles. The “Burnbank” Clydesdale stock was shown successfully each year at Melbourne for 10 or 15 years together Avith some of the lion. J. D. Ormond s, horses from Hawke’s Bay. Money was plentiful and it was not unusual for the Mitchells to return to New Zealand considerably enriched by their sales in the 'Commonwealth. On one occasion a cheque for a fine lot of HaAvke’s Bay horses ran into four figures. “I often wonder whether the older exhibitors enjoy the shows to-day as well as they did thirty or more years ago,” remarked Mr. Mitchell in conclusion. “Everybody knew everyone else; all were breaking in a young district and there was more of a spirit of comradeship about those annual gatherings. No matter how much they cajolled one another on the grounds, all their differences were forgotten as they breasted the hotel bar for a parting measure.”