FINE DISPLAY OF CLYDESDALES

Southland Times, Issue 23692, 15 December 1938, Page 8

FINE DISPLAY OF CLYDESDALES

Influence Of Sires From Overseas GOOD ENTRIES IN OTHER * CLASSES Horses were the feature of the show yesterday and entries were well ahead of those of last year, while the quality was favourably commented on by the judges in all sections. Clydesdales occupied. pride of place and entries in this section were well up on last year’s figures. The judging was watched by a big crowd of interested spectators, and competition in most classes was keen. All the exhibits _ were well turned out, from the dignified and sturdy draughts to the lighter saddle and harness classes with their smart accoutrements and newly-painted sulkies, and the horses themselves behaved as ' though they were aware that important issues were at stake. Of recent years the Clydesdale in Southland has beeri improved greatly, largely as a result of the consistent importation of well-known strains from Scotland. So steady has this improvement been that the southern province now rivals the Taieri Plains as one of the foremost heavy horse-breeding districts in New Zealand. The display at this year’s show does nothing to detract in any way from that reputation. Nothing that Southland breeders have done to raise the standard of Clydesdale breeding in the South Island has been of greater 'importance or had more far-reaching effects than the improvement of the weight and substance in the heavy horse. Canterbury, North Otago and to a lesser extent Otago were tending towards a lighter type of Clydesdale which might easily have developed into a poor wearer. Southland breeders, however, have _ always insisted on size and the result is to be found in the very high average which exists.today among the working horses in the south. ' This year, as for the past several years at the Invercargill show, the influence of imported sires on local stock has been very noticeable. Less than a decade ago the standard of New Zealand Clydesdales was in danger of deterioration through an almost complete cessation of the importation of new blood, but at the present time there are more than half a dozen proved sires in Southland leaving stock whose worth is demonstrated by the prominence which they achieve in the prize lists of shows throughout the province. The resumption of importations undoubtedly saved New Zealand standards and in this the industry in Southland took a prominent part. CLYDESDALES Southland is looked on as the home of Clydesdales, and the display offered yesterday substantiated that claim to the full. The judge, Mr H. E. Cook, of Christchurch, said that the male classes were not as strong numerically as one would have liked to have seen. In his opinion the aged stallion, Mr G. Wisely’s Netherton Mac, was well ahead of anything else in the section. “If one had to be critical,” he added, “I would like to see him with perhaps slightly broader and sharper bone and a little sweeter in the feather. Otherwise he was a good, big commercial horse.” The reserve champion was Mr Andrew Grant’s Strathore Streamline, which was Royal champion at Hamilton this year. The three-year-olds were a fair class only, not measuring up to the standard of the aged horses. The two-year-olds were not strong numerically and were led by a big sappy colt, Mr Allan Grant’s Allandale Dunlop. He was perhaps a little overgrown, and the formation of his hock was not all that could be desired. He would, however, furnish into a good useful horse.

The yearling colts were stronger in number, and the leader, also backward

in condition, was of the hard boned, leashy legged type, and a wearer. „ “For some unaccountable reason, the judge continued, “the females of the Dominion are, in my opinion, superior to the males, and this was in strong evidence again today. The winners of the female sections in their respective classes were outstanding beasts. The dry mares were led by an exceptionally good specimen of the breed, Logan Bros.’ Mossdale Lady Crest. She was a little weak in the forefoot perhaps, but had a good top to her foot, and handled nicely. With hard, flinty bones, a nice straight silky feather, she was up to size and a good mover, being awarded the championship. “The three-year-old fillies were a good lot, both in quality and in numbers, and the leader, Mr Andrew Grant’s Allandale Stella, was of the low set blocky type, possibly a little heavy in the front, but set on good feet, with hard bones, and a wearer. “The two-year-olds were small in numbers, but Mr D. Coubrough’s Lady Myra was a big sappy mare, a little plain on top perhaps, but standing on a magnificent pair of feet, with a good, top to her foot, good bones and feather, and a good mover. This mare should win many more prizes, especially when she is matured.”

The yearling filly class was outstanding, and in the judge’s opinion the first four beasts would have been to the fore in any show in the Dominion this season. The winner, Mr J. McCallum’s Moretta, was perhaps a little tall and narrow in get uo, but set on a good solid foot, with ankles nicely, set and bones and feather such as were rarely found in the show ring in the Dominion. She was a very true and close mover, and was destined, barring accidents, to win many more red tickets. As evidence of her quality she was awarded reserve champion honours. The second prize filly, Mr H. Kirk’s Miss Crest, which was awarded the Clydesdale Horse Society’s medal,, was also worthy of mention, and was unfortunate in meeting one of such quality on the day. She possessed a good foot and ctood Well, and was also good in the bone and feather, but was not of the same quality as the winner. She was a good mover and was destined to win some prizes. Generally speaking the horses were exceptionally well brought out and were a credit to the exhibitors.

TROTTERS AND PACERS The trotters and pacers, never a very strong class numerically, were nevertheless represented by some exceptionally fine animals. Jamieson Bros, and Marshall’s (Winton) filly in the filly or colt one-year-old class earned the highest praise from the judge, Mr G. Maze, of Balclutha, who described it as the best animal of its class he had ever seen, thoroughly deserving the championship. With beautiful feet, hocks and joints, it was an outstanding animal. Mr T. McGilvray’s (Otapiri) champion in the two-year-old filly, colt or gelding class—a colt—was also an animal that was hard to beat. Both these animals were by Royal Silk. Mr L. Dawson’s (Mossburn) reserve champion was a well-grown colt, but was not of just the same quality as the other horses.

HARNESS AND SADDLE HORSES The saddle horses were quite a good section, but a number of horses were in their wrong class, said the judge, Mr D. W. Westenra, of Dunsandel. For instance, list horses were found competing in the 15st class, and naturally could not be considered. There were some excellently mannered horses, but there were also several green ones. The champion, Mr H. R. Williams’s Free Lance was a 13 hands horse, and was run very close for his place by the reserve champion Lucy Glitters, also owned by Mr Williams. The reserve champion had beaten the champion at other shows, but on this occasion the judge decided in favour of Free Lance after he and his assistant had ridden both horses. The champion was a better horse to ride. He possessed excellent manners, pace and conformation’ and was hard to find fault with. The reserve champion was a younger horse and would probably prove the better! animal when mature. Both horses were really outstanding, and Lucy Glitters won the champion thoroughbred award. The harness horses attracted a num-

ber of good animals, but there were too many with a mixed gait. Christie Bros.’ exhibit was outstanding, and caught the eye at once.

WORKING DRAUGHTS

The judge, Mr J. Wylie, of Rangiora, said that the working draughts and trades displays contained some very good beasts and the class for geldings, four year old or more, was the best of the lot, and included some outstanding animals. Allison Bros.’ Bob was a nice three year old, but was a little backward. Entries were small, but the quality was good. The tradesmen’s turnouts were a credit to the exhibitors and compared well with last year’s exhibits.