THE CLYDESDALE SIKES OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 15

THE CLYDESDALE SIKES OF OTA GO.

Clydesdale horse-breeders and owners will doubtless read with interest the criticism of the special correspondent of the Scottish Farmer of the hordes at the Otago A. and P. Association’s last annual horse parade on September 28. The writer says: There was a magnificent display. The judging began at noon, when 23 aged horses passed the judges. After a most leisurely survey, they drew a short loot of 12, all of whch, with the exception of two, were imported horses. These two were sons o! the imported horses Agitator and Baron Graceful. Never was such a group of horses seen before in any show ring m New Zealand, and one could almost imagine being in Scotstoun company. It was interesting* to compare this display with that of a few years ago, when only two imported horses were on the ground—viz., Baron Graceful and Pride of Newton, which were then first and third respectively. On this occasion Baron Graceful was not in tho short lect, and this is proof of the progress which has been made in tho breeding of Clydesdale horses in tho Dominion, and of the enthusiasm which has been put into tho business. The short loot confiisted of tho following:—Mr James Blair’* big dark-coloured horse Newton Chief, bred by Mr John Laing, Denny. , This is a, horso that never gets the attention of judges he deserves. He may be a bit hard of his bones and not in the showform of some of the others, but ho is a big-sized, quality horse, with grand foot and ankles, and altogether a great cart animal. Ho was first and champion at Stirling as a two-year-old. Then there ■was Baron Bold, tho Baron’s Pride horse that was purchased by his present owner, Mr James Patrick, at Mr J. W. clearing sale in March, and good though he always is. ho never looked bettor lie did cn tliis occasion. Mr John CaLnnder’fi thick, blocky horse, Squire Ronald, bv Montravo Ronald, was looking well, but just carrying enough hair. In a month a time he should bo looking bettor when ho lias cleaned down. Mr James Patricks black Silver Crest horse Relief was another. This last horse has thickened considerably since last year, although sti.l a bit in the air. Mr William Gardiner’s Montravo Mac horse Wintorsough* Hero was looking well. Ho stands on short legs, with a grand fore foot, is thick round the heart, and a good top. Did he move closer behind he is just one of the best bred by the late Mr Dunlop, Bara«sie. He was first and champion as a yearling at Lockerbie. Mr Hugh M'Coll’s upstanding, stylish horse. Hiawatha of Australia, was also in tho leet. As his name indicates, ho is by the great chamnion Hiawatha, end out of‘Lady Horatio. Like Baron Bol<J, he was foaled in Australia. Mr J. O’Brien’s quality horse Baron Wigton is a particularly nice animal, and was shown in tho pink of condition. For quality oj bone and hind leg he is bad to beat, and had he a fore foot in keeping with his other qualities -ho would no doubt be great horse. To see him stand he is' like a perfect statue., Mr Andrew Weird now 15-year-old Agitator is a wonderfu horse for his age, and a good illustration of the wearing dualities of the present-da 1 Clydesdale. He is as clean in his legs a( a three-year-old. and goes with great dash* He is by Royal Standard, out of a St, Gatien mare. His son. Agitation, belonging to Mr Gawn, Mosgiel, is about the only colonial-bred horse that is able to hold his own among the more recent imporfa* tions. this being the second occasion in. which he was in the prize list. He is dei soended on his dam’s side from the great; Lord Salisbury, which was purchased at a H. and A. S. Show over 30 years ago the sensational price of somewhere aboul £I6OO. Mr J. O’Brien’s big, flash-coloured black horse Black Knight was looking better than ho d d two years ago. He is quite a brooding looking horse, and baa got p’.entv size and substance to recommend him. Ho was bred by Mr Black, Coatbridge, and in by Hi 11 head Chief, out of a Moneyoorn mare. _ Mr Thomas Carruthers Kid Mannont, a big, strong, whole-coloured brown horse by Marmion. After having

gone over these, they drew a final leot of six, which consisted of Baron Bold, Squire Ronald, Baron Wigbon, Agitation, Black Knight, and Relief, and in this order they wore placed. For first and second places it, was a foregone conclusion, and some would like to have seen Newton Chief occupy third place, although he did not get into the final. Baron Bold also won the Otago Challenge Cup, with Squire Ronald reserve. The three-year-olds as a.class wore disappointing. This was mainly due to the demand from Australia. All the best colts have been bought up for exportation, and if tihe majority of thosa seen here are to become tho future sires, thev will certainly be ■a deterrent to the breed. The first and second horses were home bred, both promising young horses with good feet and legs, and nice short tops, quite different from anything else in the class.v The fi'st is Mr Tom Carruthcrs’s Homeland’s Pride, by Majestic Baron, out of a Look Again mare. He is just over two and a-half years old, a fine dark brown colour, a close mover, and very good at the ground. Ho has every appearance of developing into a good horeo, and will loss nothing in the hands of Tom Carruthems. Tho second colt, and shipmate of the above, is Dunuro Drew, bred' at Dunure Mains, and got by Baron of Buchlyvio out of a Casabianca dam, now the property of Mr James Weir, Papakaio, and is a big, weighty colt, with nice bones and a good foot. Ho might want length of ankles, and goes a bit wide behind. For a time it looked as if he were going to cot no further than third, but at last he seemed to get his place. The third colt was a son of champion Baron Fyvie.