Show Perils

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 101, 2 May 1935, Page 3

Show Perils

WOMEN AND HORSES. (TEW ZEALANDER’S HEAT FOLLOWED BY INJURY. Everybody in. Now Zealand who takes an interest in horses and riding will regret Jo learn that Miss Vera MacMillan met with another accident this year at the Royal Show (states a Sydney message). Miss MacMillan, who comes from Tauranga, has been riding horses since she was four and hunters since she was nine years old, and while quite young she often rode bare-backed to |the Cambridge hunts. Her prowess as a horsewoman is widely known in her own country, and she has given ample proof of it here. Riding at the Royal Show in 1926 she fractured her spine, and though she complete disablement, the accident has kept her out of the ring for Jhe past nine years. This Easter, however, she appeared again in tho licld, and, siding with all her old courage and skill, she put up a performance that is unprecedented in Sydney. Sho won the Lawrence and Hanson water jump with a leap of 29ft, and as this is the very first timo in the histoiy of tho Royal Show that any water jump event has been won by a woman, it was really a great achievement. Many competent judges said that Miss MacMillan was the best horsewoman on tho ground—'high praiso indeed in a community Where many of the woman, like the men, Tide almost before they can walk. Spine Not Injured. Everybody hoped that Miss MacMillan would go on to further successes. But] unfortunately on Easter Monday, when sho was riding at a jump, her horse fell, and Miss MacMillan struck the rails heavily. At first she seemed unable to move, and it was feared that her hack was seriously injured again. After a time, she was able to walk slowly off the ground. But tho shock was evidently severe, and after spending an uncomfortable night sho was taken to hospital next day. There an X-ray examination disclosed that the spine was not injured, but Miss MacMillan has been ordered complete rest for the time, and any further Tiding just now is out of the question. This Easter Show has had its full Share of spills and mishaps, with men as well as women as their victims. On (Tuesday, J. Clayton, a well-known rider, fell at a water jump, and his horse Wua so severely hurt that it had to bo destroyed. Clayton himself was taken Jo hospital, suffering from concussion, but is now pronounced out of danger. Ho was luckier than a good many men and women who have attempted to win fame on the Show Grounds. There is a patient in Canterbury Hospital just now who is never likely to fdrget tCe Royal Show of 1935. Mis 3 Eva Smith, of Hillston, had entered for several competitions this year, as she is an expert; horsewoman, and specialises in riding buckjumpers. The Monday before tho show opened she was practising on a fractious horse at Camposa when it reared and fell over backward on her.

Keen Competition. She was fortunate to escape with her life, but the accident deprived her of one of the great opportunities of her career. She had issued a challenge to Miss Alice Goodenough, the woman "rough rider” in the visiting American rodeo team, and they were to consist baxa-back, saddle and steer-riding events together, Now, of course, this is impossible, but Miss Smith, who has been in hospital twice before from serious falls* is' hoping against hope that she will recover before Miss Goodenough goes back to America. That large section of the Australian public Which takes an enthusiastic interest in horses and riding had hoped to see several of our girl champions in action against Miss Goodenough, who certainly has a remarkable record. Unfortunately Miss Violet Skuthorpe —who, according to her father, Lance

Skuthorpe, the veteran champion of Australian rough-riders, is a better rider than ho is himself —was unable- to compete. The show offcials refused to offer a money prize for this event, and Violet, who is.only 16 and depends for her living on professional engagements, had to stand aside. Her place was taken by a lady rider from Queensland, much to disappointment of Sydney “ring-fans.” These competitions' are always immensely popular, but the glamour of success cannot hide the fact that they aro at least as dangerous and often as tragic for women as men.