PERSONALITIES AND POINTS FROM SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 23692, 15 December 1938, Page 9

PERSONALITIES AND POINTS FROM SHOW

There are few sportsmen in Otago and Southland who do not know Mr T. A. Fahey, of Roslyn Bush. For 30 years Mr Fahey has been associated with the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association as a steward in the competitions sections at the summer show. The name of Fahey could be said to be synonymous with Roslyn Bush and the summer show. Before the Faheys went to Roslyn Bush they were at Myross Bush and year after year the name appeared on the programmes of the summer show. All of the family were sportsmen, and it has been said that had it not been for their activity in the lean days of hunting in Southland the Birchwood Hunt would not occupy the proud position it holds today. Mr T. A. Fahey competed with success at the summer shows. His first success was with the mare Mona, which with the jumper Big Mac, which was owned by Mr J. B. Thomson, of Invercargill. In later years Mr Fahey was associated with the mare Lady Grange and not many years ago rode it over the jumping course. He has been master and huntsman of the Birchwood Hunt several times.

Long Service Director There are several “long service” directors of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and none shows more enthusiasm in his part in the successful conduct of the summer show than Mr W. R. Ronald, a former president who first was elected to the directorate hi 1906. He was in his place yesterday assisting the other stewards in _ the jumping competitions. Hail, rain or snow Mr Ronald is always available in the jumping ring. He has not missed a show for 41 years. Advice To,Riders That riders in the jumping events should look more at the fences than their horses is the opinion of Mr T. A. Fahey, of Roslyn Bush. Mr Fahey was a successful'horseman in his younger days and he thinks that although the present day standard of competition jumping is equal to that of his day the horsemen do not always get the best out of their mounts. “The rider’s hands are the connecting link between his brain and the horse’s brain,” said Mr Fahey, “and if he uses them to show the horse the way to the jump he has done his job. The horse knows his part and does not require any ‘lifting’.” He thought the jumping conditions were greatly improved on what they were L the days of the shows at Queen’s Park. They were easier, mainly because the horse got a good clear' run at the jumps. In the past the jumps were placed at short intervals and horses had to show cleverness in their work.

Marshal of the Parade Mr David Marshall marched at the head of the grand parade yesterday and was entitled to take great pride in the success of this important feature. Many years ago there was a feeling that the most was not made of the parade of stock and Mr Marshall was invited to take charge of it. He quickly appreciated the possibilities and mace arrangements which ensured that the parade would be an arresting spectacle. A veteran sjieep breeder, Mr Marshall is always at the call of agricultural and pastoral associations for the judging of

sheep, dogs, pigs and even root crops at winter shows. His agricultural knowledge is vast and he has given great service to the primary industries of Southland and New Zealand on important organizations, among which was the former Board of Agriculture.

The Standard of Horsemanship “The standard of horsemanship is not nearly as good as it was in the days when the show was held at Queens Park,” said Mr J. W. P. Vickery, a steward of the jumping competitions, when commenting on the jumping events yesterday. He gave as the reason for his claim that the boys and girls of today were bom in a motor age and they did hot have sufficient opportunities to learn horsemanship. “Nearly every boy and girl was a rider 40 years ago,” he said . “They were born in the saddle. Today they are born in motor-cars—that’s the difference. Mr Vickery added that the fostering of riding clubs in Southland would do much to improve the standard. The Press Stewards In constant association with the reporters at the Southland summer, show are Mr James Hargest, M.P., and Mr J. S. Marshall, who act as Press stewards. Their conduct of their duties has made them both extremely popular with the reporters and they cheerfully set out on searches for judges who have failed to make their comments on stock exhibited. Mr Marshall is a director of the association and is keenly interested in the improvement of the livestock industries. His Lincoln sheep had been exhibited at the show for a number of years until this year, when they were noticeably absent. Mr D. H. Cockburn The Lakes district member of the directorate of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr D. H. Cockbum, who was present at the show, is specially interested in the Wakatipu district fat lamb exhibit. The introduction of this section last year was a great success, and its entry again this year was a popular feature. Mr Cockburn, who lives near Queenstown, takes a keen interest in maintaining a close association between the Lakes district and Invercargill. Always in the Ring Mr J. W. P. Vickery, one of the stewards in the jumping competitions is known almost as well as the show itself. Year after year he is to be seen either heralding the entry of jumpers from the saddling paddock to the showring or assisting the judge. His association with the show goes back, i the years when the annual exhibition was staged at Queen’s Park. In those days, he declared yesterday, the horsemanship was something to be admired. Mr Vickery is one of the controllers of the evening entertainments which have become such a feature of the show during the past 10 years. He introduced the special steer pens which are used to release the steers in the evening competitions, and he is ever ready to make suggestions for the improvements of any of the attractions at the shows. A lamb buyer by occupation, Mr Vickery’s services as a judge of . sheep have been freely used by associations in Otago and Southland.

Parliament Well Represented The New Zealand Parliament was well represented at the show. All of .the members ,of the Houseof Representatives and a member of the ; Legislative Council were present. They were: The Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, and member for Wallace, Mr James Hargest, member for Awarua, Mr T. L. Macdonald, member for Mataura, Mr W. M. C. Denham, member for Invercargill and the Hon. T. F. O’Byrne, M.L.C.