SOUTHLAND SUMMER SHOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21828, 15 December 1932, Page 6

SOUTHLAND SUMMER SHOW

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE’S DAY OUTSTANDING HORSE SECTIONS OTAGO EXHIBITORS PROMINENT (Fftok Otm Special RkrotiTEß.) INVERCARGILL, December 13. There can'be no question that, notwithstanding^'the /exceptional catalogue presented Toy the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association each year, the Invercargill Show would have, small hope of achieving t'eal -success without the wholehearted support which is always afforded its fixtures by both town and country people alike. Palmers and stock breeders do their part on the first day of the show-, arid on People’s Day the Southland public' exhibits an enthusiasm with regard to the .Ishow,.which ensures the financial success fOf*’the exhibition. This year was no exception to the rule, and from early morning ar bontinuous stream of people passed through the gates into the spacious show grounds,’ with the result that the attendance' was one 1 of the best in the history{of the society. There was no lack of diversion for the public. Those who were not Specially interested in the remarkable exhibition .of horseflesh which filled the ring all morning had plenty to occupy (.their attention in the trades and machinery and also in the sideshows,'Which .Were more-numerous and varied thhn,; ever. The •.’programme to-day commenced with the. 'v judging of the Clydesdales and thet'JyaripuS, 'light horse sections, a task which was concluded in the. early afternojDhff'hfteit.; which a .highly impressive grapd parade of prize-winning stock was etggecl. ■ , ; The • procession of quality animals-Was watched by a packed grand stand and ringside, and in times of unparalleled depression and uncertainty it must have been a heartening spectacle to see the cream of the district’s flocks and herds assembled together in such a highclass display. At no other show in the Dominion is the public afforded so remarkable and comprehensive a display of provincial live stock resources. No section—horses, cattle, or sheep—is given undue prominence at the Southland Show. All reach a standard of numerical strength which makes this exhibition, unique in the Dominion, and incidentally places the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association in the position of being able to stage in its occasional Royal Shows a more reliable index to primary industry in New Zealand than any other similar organisation. Canterbury, Royal . Shows • inclined too much to sheep displays to be truly representative, and Manawatu exhibitions stress dairying at the expense of sheep breeding, while the 1933 show which is to be held' at Auckland cannot hope to do the sheep industry;, justice at all. Southland, On the other hand, has* lately developed its sto’ck breeding to such an extent that its dairy herds are the equal of any in the Dominion, its sheep breeds are as numerous and varied as those of Canterbury, the stronghold oh sheep breeding,: and, its heavy and light horse breeding activities' equal most and surpass many of those of northern provincial districts; The result is a well-balanced, and impressive annual display of live stock which even North Island visitors are inclined to regard as unsurpassed anywhere in the Dominion.

CLYDESDALE HORSES Otago and Southland have no serious rrv als in the Dominion with respect to the breeding of Clydesdale stock, for while other provinces have been- inclined to, neglect the industry more and more with the development of mechanical transport and power farming, southern horse breeders, have if anything extended their activities, and maintained a steady flow of good quality stock into both local and overseas markets. At the present time the heavy horse breeder is reaping a welcome if not undue reward for his continued faith in the heavy horse inasmuch as there is probably no class of farm stock winch is more readily convertible into hard cash than ordinarily decently bred farm horses.-' Otago breeders, and es well, have beep able to build up a to a lesser extent Southland stud-masters useful export connection with Australia in Clydesdale horses, and it is a tribute to local breeding practice and method that practically every animal exported during the last 12 months has been heard of again at one or other of the State Eoyal Shows in the Gortimonwealth. Southland's Clydesdale resources have this year again been supplemented by a good selection, of Otago stock, and breeders from north -of .the Waipahi Kiver were successful in annexing a fair share of the days honours; ; The Clydesdale section' fu l if 10 e ma y be described as the best that has yet graced the local show ring. The male classes contained a better selection of sires and colts than has been seen at any South Island show this season with the exception of the Otago Show Tahuna Dark. l The average standard of quality was.good, but it becomes more and more noticeable each year that the horse breeding--industry in the Dominion lacks really 'Outstanding sires as they are known in the Lanarkshire home of the Clydesdale. Importations into New Zealand during the past 10 years have been frequent and of a fairly high standard, but the breed 'in this country is not getting the benefit of the best blood available at the Scottish sales and fairs. No doubt this is a result of the high prices asked at Home for the best quality, hardly ever less than four figures, but it may be - f conjectured;,'. that a single sire at 1000;guineas would he a better invests ment fdr/>>New Zealand importers than three- OK four ordinary stallions at a quarter the price. A colt of the stamp and character -of .Munificence, got by the outstanding .sire of' the day. Benefactor', and introduced at heavy cost into South Australia, by Mr Jr Francis, may he expected t,o exert a B wift and beneficial influence pn-the breed ;in that' State at a time when 'the heavy horse, industry in Australia "is., as .in New Zealand, in need of the infusion of the very best new blood obtainable. . The introduction of two or three sires," of similar quality into New Zealand. should .be the-aim of Dominion breeders • also; ..

The sigecl^ntire’Vclass, to-day attracted three very attractive types, the red ticket going to Mr Robert Lockie’s (Edendale) Scotland’s Superb, a big, upstanding stamp of horse got by Scotland’s Select out of Dunure Toby, who is by the great old sire Baron Buchlyvie. Scotland’s Superb was champion at Gore last week, and secured the championship ribbon today. He moves nicely on a particularly good set of limbs, and has plenty of scale and substance to commend him. The second prize was won by Mr Arch. Wilson (Henley) with Romeo, a good useful sort of sire, by Marengo (imp.) out of an imported mare, Cauldbarn’s Ruby, who is just four years old. His show successes this year include the Wright, Stephenson Perpetual Challenge Cup at the Otago Horse Parade and class awards at both the Taieri and Dunedin Shows. He is well made, shows strong masculine character, and shows his paces well. Messrs M'Kenzie Bros. (Isla Bank) took third place with Balmedie Monarch, got by Bonnie Brydone out of Aorangi Kate, a horse that has appeared to better advantage than he did to-day, especially a year or two ago ? ■. When'he ' won many laurels, for his breejihr, Mr Ji M. Smith, of Kakanui. ■ ( '

The best of a small ring of two-yeay-old colts was: Mr William Chittock’s (Waikaka) Superb, a stylish yourjg sire got by the champion entire outbf Soringfield Lothian, showing signs of ‘developing into a useful horse wlu» he finds slightly more substance and size. The reserve champion entire was selected from the yearlings, and was found m Mr David Jenkins’s (Kelso) Meadow’s Success, an uncommonly promising type of colt, full of quality and exceedingly well made. He moves close and straight at both ends* and carries a fine coat of soft, .silky-hair, and should be heard of again in the,\£ui'ure. He was got by Design out of 'Meadow’s Bloom, anil was bred by Mr Jenkins. Mr Thomas Logan, of Otama, filled second place with a colt by Archaic, a good all-round type of youngster, but by no means outstanding. The breeding qualities of the champion entire were again demonstrated in the yearling class, when an unnamed colt by Scotland’s Superb took the third prize card for Messrs D. M'Callura and Sons (Ryal Bush). This youngster shows great

promise, and should do well seeing he is out of a Myroe Footprint mare. In the stallion and progeny class the champion entire was paraded with Balmedie Monarch, each being accompanied by a couple of their progeny. Scotland’s Superb took the red ticket, but there was* not much to pick and choose between the trio which he headed and that of Balmedie Monarch. The mares and fillies comprised nn outstandingly good section, with very keen competition in nearly all classes. The feature of the display was the large percentage of useful, attractive-looking mares of hi Mi average quality rather than of really*outstanding merit. Only two brood mares were entered, the first prize going to Messrs Fleming Bros.’ (Crookston) Springfield Glndiola, one of the best of the Springfield dams, and a mare that has done much in recent years to build up the high reputation for female quality held by the Crookston breeders. The second prize went to Mr Thomas Logan’s Mossdale Lady Margaret, got by Archaic out of Simon’s Pride, a good roomy mare of quality. There was keen competition in the dry mare class, and a fine field faced the judge. The Winner was Messrs Fleming Bros.’ Springfield Mona, a deep-bosomed mare of great character and. a beautiful mover. Second toher was Mr Robert Kennedy’s (Drummond) Cloverdale Flower, by Barn Mac out of Ruby Douglas, a mare who shows . paces well and displays an especially.good -set of legs, on which she moves beautifully. Messrs Fleming Bros, imported mare . Eden Lady might have found a more prominent place in the class had she moved better, but in showing her paces she went very badly in front. She was placed third, however, just in front of Mr Peter Fisken’s (Edendalc) Silver Creek Lady, by Myroe Footprint out of Pride. One of the best quality females in the show was the three-year-old prizewinner, Mr J. A. Johnston’s (Waikaka) Lady Gladys, by the champion entire Scotland’s Superb out of Myroe Lady Betty, a sweet colt, ahnost perfectly fashioned, with a great grip of the ground and most attractive movement. _ Second prize in the class went to Mr D. Caldwell’s (Edendale) Inglemere Doreen,, a fine, useful filly.,and the third prize card went to Mr Robert Kennedy’s Cloverdale Charm, by Archaic out of Kate Douglas. In the two-year-old filly class there was nothing to equal Messrs Fleming Bros, pair, Springfield Cynthia and Springfield Biddy, both of them high quality fillies of character and substance, excellent movers, and possessors of beautifully silky coats. Cynthia secured the first award, with Biddy a good second. Third in this eXceptionallv good class went to Mr Thomas Logan with a little lady got by Sanguine out of Mplba, a_ stylish filly with very good legs and action. A Fyvie Guardsman filly, out 6f_ Bess, won the red ticket for Mr W. D. Mitchell (Wyndham) in the yearling class. This was Eden Bank Pearl, a filly whicn handled beautifully and exhibited most of those qualities which will make her a valuable dam. Mr Gilbert Buchanans (Thornbury) unnamed filly, by Archaic, was second, and Messrs Stalker Bros. (Drummond) took third prize with an unnamed youngster, by Balmedie Monarch. It is satisfactory to note the tendency in the breeding of Clydesdales at the present to return to weight and substance. Convincing evidence of this was provided to-day in the classes for young stock and working draughts, and breeders wefe given a good lead by the judges, who exhibited a marked partiality for animals of scale and substance with good underpinnings and proper action. The fashion of the tall horse, which for a few years had the effect of producing Clydesdales that were a good deal lighter than the Lanarkshire model, appears to have dipappared in favour of an ideal which embodies the heavy, active horse. The best two-year-old in the bred by Exhibitor class for males or females was found in Mr Logan’s Mossdale Brightest Gem, the beautiful little filly, by Sanguine, who, in addition to taking the special award in this class, also won the Clydesdale Horse Society’s gold medal for the best two-year-old' or yearling. Messrs Fleming Bros’. Gladiola was adjudged the best New Zealand-bred brood mare, Mr Robert Kennedy being second, and Mr P. Fisken third. Gladiola is by Scotland’s Success out of Harveston Rita, and has brought many laurels to the Springfield stud during the course of a long career in the show ring. A good class, although there were only two competitors, was that for four mares or fillies two years old or over. The Crookston breeders took the first prize card with a fine quartet headed by Gladiola, and Mr Thomas Logan followed very close with his collection, headed by the brood mare, Mossdale Lady Margaret. The two lots made a picture of female quality that was very pleasing. There were more competitors in the class for three mares or fillies, but the placings were the same as in the previous class, the Otaraa horses taking second place to the Springfield entries.

The female championships were both won by Messrs Fleming. Bros., the.supreme award going to the two-year-old filly, Springfield Cynthia, got by Scotland’s Success out of Eden Ifady. Cynthia is a delightful specimen of the breed, showing substance without the slightest suspicion of coarseness, really fine in quality. She has a beautiful set of legs and is specially strong in the hind quarters. She moves perfectly, close and straight and easily, and should develop into a good dam. The reserve champion was Springfield Mona, by Ambition out of Gladiola, a well-ribbed, roomy mare of weight and quality. The best type of Clydesdale on the ground, male or female, was Springfield Cynthia, the champion entire, Scotland’s Superb being second and Messrs Fleming Bros, reserve champion mare third. WORKING DRAUGHTS

A high standard of quality was shown in the working draught section, which attracted admiring attention from the ringside during judging, and moved several North Island visitors to expressions of surprise that such a display could be made at a time -when there is an impression abroad .that a horse shortage exists both in the Dominion and in Australia. The geldings were a Very fine lot, and if their numbers can be increased sufficiently by Otago and Southland breeders a lucrative industry should* be built up for a few years at least until supplies of good, well-bred workers -are equal to the demand. At the present time it is estimated that annual foalings are considerably below requirements, and it is probable that even with the ’ increased activity in Otago and Southland that has been lately remarked, there will be an even greater shortage of the right sort of horse. *

The aged gelding class , was one of the strikingly good displays of the whole horse section. Ten animals faced the judge, but the four awards made were divided between Messrs Allison Bros. (Clarksville) and the New Zealand Express Company, the former winning the first and fourth prizes and the latter second and third. The first prize, winner was a splendid type of worker, with good strong legs, free and correct movement at both ends, and plenty of weight. The other three were similarly substantial and well limbed. The three-year-old gelding class also gave complete satisfaction, and in the first and second prize winners, both of them shown by . Messrs Fleming Bros., the judge remarked exceptional quality, with a special preference . for the red ticket winner. These two geldings wore first and second in their class at Gore and also won the championship and reserve championship for geldings at that show. Messrs D. M’Camim and Sons (Ryal Bush), T. Logan, Allison Bros., the New Zealand Express Company, and J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd. (Invercargill) were the principal exhibitors and prize winners in the various gelding and working /sections, making a particularly fine sfiow' in the two. three and four horse team classes. The New Zealand Express Company’s first prize four-horse team was a picture,.of quality, and Messrs Allison Bros, showed a very fine team of , three. There was a good display of spring carters and town delivery horses, all of which were excellently turned out and in excellent condition. The New Zealand Express Company and Messrs J. E. Watson and Co.' provided the Bulk of the entries and took the majority of the prices. A feature of the whole working section was the excellent condition and bringing out of the entries. LIGHT HORSES Entries in the various light horse sections were well up to the usual high standard seen at this show. Harness horses and ponies were forward in great numbers, and although the types of stock covered a very wide range, sometimes bordering on the very ordinary and mediocre, there was plenty to interest the large gathering which followed the progress of the judging. In the hack and hunter section quality was again very mixed, and the average of the section was rather spoilt by several very poor specimens, which should not have been

included in the catalogue. It was strange also to find in several of the classes for both saddle and harness horses entries lacking in proper show condition. The large number of pony entries indicated the rising popularity of this class of horseflesh. * Years ago the pony held a far more prominent place in the rural community than it enjoys to-day, but, after a period of comparative neglect, it is once more coming back, a fact that is evidenced not alone by the large numbers exhibited at all shows now, but also by the slowly improving quality of the average. In some of the classes to-day there were 14 and 15 entries, and the judge had a busy'morning separating the prize winners. , The championship was won by Miss Marv Allen’s* (Edendale) Rex, a stylish little gelding, exceptionally well brought out, and an attractive mover. The action of Mr A. R. Johnston’s (Waikaka Valley) Nothing Nicer is a delight to watch, but in spite of its exceptional quality it had to concede the supreme award to the Edendale pony. The judge gave Mr Johnston a wolLdeserved reserve championship, however. Miss K. Wood, of Beaumont, who was successful at the Gore Show last week, added fresh laurels to record for the season to-day, - taking second pri?e in a big field -of. cobs with Kewpie and several awards in the harness horse section and the hack classes. Miss Allen won the 14-hand class with Rex, and Mr A. R. Johnston the class for ponies not over 14.2 with Nothing Nicer, Messrs Green and Hedley (Gore) filling second and third places. The placings were Rex first and Nothing Nicer second in the 14-hnnd saddle class, and in the 13-hand class Mr L. Jones (Wemlou) was first with Mr Ken Russell (Burnside) second w-ith Peter Pan, a pony that has been doing exceptionally well at Otago shows tills season. Mr Wiliam Kennedy won the harnesshorse championship with a worthy successor to his celebrated Bingen Brook, who lias now been turned out after a unique show career. To-day’s champion may not be as showy a performer as Bingen Brook, but he promises to develop into a very outstanding type of. horse. .Of the under 15 hands horses, Mr A. Cartwright’s Waianiwai was the pick, Mr W. J.. Roberts’s (Clinton) Ginger Boy being second. Miss K. Wood* won the dogcart class with Rob Roy, an ideal type of harness horse, beautifully mannered and straight-moving. Mr Roberts was second with Danny Boy, and Mr Cartwright third. Mr A. R. Johnston’s Nothing Nicer won the harness championship, with Mr T Crighton’s (Wyndham) ’ Tommy reserve champion. The hacks and hunters were a very mixed lot, but the section included some very fine quality. . The judge (Mr A. Campbell, Milton) said of Mrs J. E. M'Kay’s 15-hnnd hack that she was the finest lady’s hack in Otago and Southland. The hack championship was won by a Dunedin horse, Mr J. R. Brown’s Golden Crust, who-repeated his Gore sue-, cess. The 11-stono hack class included some very good types, but it contained some very bad specimens poor-conditioned horses of the: nondescript- stamp WhiiiTi have no place in'T I 'show'Ting! Mf W. Hastie’s showy hack. Dandy, took the red ticket, with Mr A. Cartwright’s Luscume second and Mrs J. E. M'Kay’s Trixie third. Miss K. Wood scored a welldeserved success in the 13-stone hack class with Jock, a very attractive type of hunter, Mr Cartwright being second and Mr W. J. Roberts (Clinton) third. The best of the 15-stone hacks was Mr J. R. Brown’s Golden Crust, who won the championship. He is a striking type of horse

and a good, consistent performer. He would have won the best-paced and mannered class 1 on his paces, but his manners require a little polishing. Miss K. Wood was second in the 15-stone class with Rob Roy, and Mr W. J. M'Laren third with Gigha. The 15-hand lady’s hack class was won by Mrs M'Kay’g Trixie, which aroused the judge to such unhsually enthusiastic comment. Trixie is .a beantifully-mannered mare of quality and character, and a mre mover. Mr W. Hastie’s Dandy was a good second, and* Miss K. Wood’s Jock third. Mr. W. Swale’s Honeymine was given a fourth prize. Mrs M'Kay’s .winner in this class- was ridden.: very creditably by Miss Quelch, of* Druihmond. The lady’s hack (under 15 hands) class was won by Mr F. H. Bennett’s (Rosedale) Doctor, with Mr J. Price second and Miss K. Wood’s Kewpie third. Miss Statham was the best lady rider. The best-paced and best-mannered hack; class was won by .Mr AV. Hastie’s DaridyiV who added to his other .gains the; reserVe championship. Miss it.;, Wood was . second and Mr F. H. Bennetts third.

The usual small entry of trotters and pacers was included, in the catalogue, the championship going to Mr W. T. Mpore’s 'Winton) Dolly, by Logan Son out of Four Chimes, and the reservo championship to Mr D. T. Wilson’s (Invercargill) Miss Adonis, by Adonis out of Misfortune Messrs T. S. Muirhead (Waimatnkul and J. Croebie (Lumsden) were also placed THE COMPETITIONS The programme of competitions and ring events which the association offers light horse owners and riders is a highly attractive and varied one, and comprises one of the most popular features of the second day’s catalogue. Otago riders and horses repeated some of their successes at the Gore Show Inst week, and gave a very pood account of themselves. The standard ol jumping and riding was perhaps not up to the level of that of some previous thews, but the performances of the various competitors gave every satisfaction to a large gallery which filled the stand and thronged, the ringside. A very attractive young hunter' owned and ridden by Mr T. White,, of Dunedin, won the maiden event; repeating hie success of a week■ago at Gore, with two- Southland horses—. Mr W. J. M'Laren’s Gigha and Mr A. Wayte’s (Otamita) Saygo—second and third respectively. Messrs J. R. Brown ami W Hastie, both of Dunedin, com-) pmed ui this class, but were unplaced* The standard of performance in the event was not high, there being a lot of baulking. but Mr White's round was a very good one. The 11-stone jumper class went to Gigha, with Mr J. Langford’s (South Hillend) Lady Chicken second and F. J. Fahey’s entry third. In the Indy’s jumping , event Miss Reid rode _ the three winners, Mr M'Laren’s Gingha gaining another first, with his Tally ITo second and Mr W. Hastie’s Dandy third. Miss Reid was deserving of the special' congratulations tendered to her by the judge for her outstanding horsemanship in this event. Mrs W. E. Hazlett, riding Mr L. C. Hazlett’s (Dunedin) Greenstone, took a nasty fall in this event, but although she was badly shaken, but soon recovered. Mr W. Hastie’s Dandy, ridden by Mr H. Hastie, won the wire jump in brilliant fashion, going a round in which he did not put a foot wrong, and putting up a perform-

ance 1 that stood out above any other, Mr M'EareriV TallyeHo,. ridden by the owner, was..secohd v and Mr L. C. Hazlett’s.Greenstc ne, with Mi* H. Abernathy,’ of Dunedin, up, was third. Tally Ho Tapped the first fence, and Greeritsone also touched, as he (wag going over. - The Jumping Championship for hunters and jumpers proved to be the keenest contest of its kind for many years. A good class of horse was entered, and the majority of them showed that they had a good knowledge of what w*as required of thorn. Several of the horses wiiich competed in the open events on the first day showed that they had benefited by their experience, with the result that practically every competitor completed the rounds without a serious mistake, After a keen contest, the winner turned up in Mr W. J. M'Laren’s Gigha, a well-mannered hunter, who appears to relish hunting and jumping. This success was well received by the large crowd.' The event for lady riders also provided a good (contest, and the result saw Mr W. Hastie’s Dandy, a young black gelding, beat Gigha for first money. Strangely enough, Dandy, who is a dashing type of hunter, w*ent better for his female pilot t fin n when competing in the championship, and this evidently impressed the judge, who took into account manners ;and pace. Miss ..Reid (Dunedin) was again to' the fore, and’ achieved the .distinction of riding all the placed horses in each event for lady riders on both days. Miss Statham, another Dunedin rider, also proved to be a good; horsewoman. She was .not so’ fottunnte as Miss Reid in her choice of mounts, . The minor events attracted a great deal of interest.