Horses.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14043, 29 October 1909, Page 7

Horses.

THE DRAUGHT CLASSES

To the practical work-a-day farmer tlio sheep, cattle, and draught horses compriso the- most important section "f the show. Yesterday tho draughts camo up for adjudication, and at an early hour they began to arrive on the show grounds, and take possession of the boxes allotted to them. Trains from the north and south rapidily addvd to the number, and so a busy scene was in progress. Tho attendants got to work on their charges with brush, comb and rubber, and soon all travel stains were- removed. Tho important silky hair was washed with soap and water, and carefully combed out, and ribbons and other decorations added to tho forelocks, manes and tails. Whilo this was going on, a. good many interested spectators gathered and some- good humoured barrack was indulged in. For instance one man informed an Ashburton owner that there nmsfc havo been a drought in bis district last year, "At any rati-," he said,

"your horses have not had too many oats." Another grey beard was silently running his hands down the stallion's leg. Said a bystander, "Dinna be feeling his leg; ye know nothing about it-" Someone who recognised the examiner as a well known breeder of prize stock ejaculated, "He's learning." A groom who was weighting an immenso stallion with ribbons of all colours w;is politely told not to stick tho Boer flag all over his horse, and so tho banter went on. Those of a. more serious turn of mind commented upon tho change which had taken place in the stamp of draught horse during the past few years. Somo old hands, who hailed from the homo of the Clydesdale, regretted that such horses as Strathmoro and Timo 0' Day, had passed possibly for ever and that a. lighter timbered animal had "taken his place. This was evident in Scotland to a greater extent than in New Zealand. Size of body was there, fine silky hair, but the bono was smaller and cleaner, and thero was. moro action. It seems that it is now almost impossible to get the heavier animals even if they are wanted. This in some quarters is looked upon as rather regrettable, because there is always a. tendency to breed lighter, as time goes on, and it would bo a pity if it wore impossible to <*et the heavier type when required. The two types often come in contact in the show ring, and then the judges have to be very careful to stick to the _tviv« which the favoured at the beginning of the day. If they give-' prizes to one stamp in one class, and then to annther in a succeeding class they incur scathing criticism. Sometimes one «—o« the different tickets in the same clnss go to the different stamps :'iid tliis is an unpardonable mistake. Yesterday the Judges kent very closely to one tynr\ and stuck to it so perscvermglv tb->t in the most importantclasses the siire strain came out on to'> almost -ill through. It is a pity that South Cantprhnrv does not spn-m to b" able to hold it° own with districts to the North and Sou+h of it. The -nri"cipnl prizes ve=fordnv we"t +-o Ashb"rto". Crf'=tchurch, and Onmaru. In the st-dliou clashes there were very few lor<d entries. There s>re nnv number of stallions in the district but tbev are evidently pernio" to cor-ine'e !ip-ai" v( . outsiders. Sevral of those tl■•»(-. <]''' c"»inelo were by no means For instance, in th" e"'ire c Mr. W. Mo-*lweo' q Loci, Foyle. IVir. \y,„. g„,l f-rrl's M--rrv Time. l :, and Mr. J. Shaw's Jniiiinv Ej-kine. werp fill" animals, capable of leaving good stock. The class <dew-irds, under Mr T ?.. Trvin." kept flic rings coin a *nl"ndi'"'\ One c-ls>«* was vciireelv out of Hi» ring before ibc next walked in. T bi c "'•> c n'osf iicpssary because several o r H><> nlnscu.K took a M of judgino-. jpul bad Wiere been nnv dc|nv. the d'-au-dil section would net b-'ve been finished till late in the evening.

The first class to be judged was tliafc for entries with three of their progeny, uod to exceed live years old, not necessarily the property vt the exlubiU>r. The judges wcro instructed to base the award on tho quality of the proogeny only. One entry only came lorward, Mr.. J. Shearer's black imported Jiorso Premier I'ridc, and three of his stock. The Ashburton representative is a handsome animal, with plenty of hair, short in tho back, and well coupled up. He seems however, to move rather awkwardly in tho hind quarters, owing no doubt to his long service on tho roads. His progeny looked well, Ins son Premier Ward the lead, a very worthy son of a good sire. Tho catalogue showed another entry, that of Mr. Wm. Gardiner, Papakura, whose horse .Baron Fyno had sustained a slight wrench and was unable to bo present. Mr. Shearer was given the special ticket, his splendid entry certainly deserving it. Seven horses faced the judge in tho entire class, the one viewed by stallion owner as tho most important of tho day. Tho judges had somewhat of a difficult task before them. Baron's Pride stock was well represented, and were noteworthy for their clean bone, nice silky hair, and plenty of good action. Air. J. Shaw's grey stallion, Johnny Erskino, came in for a good deal of close inspection, and found many admirers among tho onlookers. Mr. James Weir's bay horpc Balgowrie repeated his victory of last year, again annexing tho red ticket. He was in splendid form, being very fat, he moved well and altogether he showed more substance than the rest of his competitors. His feet were in first-class condition, although he had done a lot of travelling on the road. His hocks looked a little puffy to a critical person, but that was only the result of hard work. Tho second award went to Mr James Shearer's Premier Pride (imp.) by BarA's Pride, while the third award was given to Mr. J. Small's Baron Carlton, an imported horse, also by Baron's Pride, a lino active specimen of horso flesh.

j n tlio three j'ear olds three entries were made. They were all well-grown ior their ages, and next year should render a good account of themselves jti any prizo ring. One would liked to have seen some local horses iu this section, but they were all foreign, two from North Canterbury and one from North Otago. The North Otago horse, Mr A. "Weir's Premier, by Balgowrie, by Premier's Pride, bred by Mr James Shearer Ashburton was the winner of the red ticket, the brown horse being much admired for his neat compact appearance. The second and third horses Mr Taylor's iQhristchurch) Gay Garland, and Mr. J. Shearer's Premier Ward, taking second and third place respectively. It must be most gratifying to tho well known Ashburton breeder, M r J. Shearer, to have his horse, Premier Pride, tho solo sire of such a nice little group of three year olds. Tho pec-. end and third horses wcro somewhat larger. Half a dozen two year olds paraded, ono or two wcro rather out of show condition, but on tho wholo they formed a good ring. A couple of the famous Baron Fyno's progeny oamo in for a good deal of favour lrom the ring side, bub the judges thought thero wero two better horses present, and gave the prizes to three particularly well grown, and well got up animals. Mr T. Taylor, Christchurch, with a. Premier's Prido scored the red ticket—another win for Premier Pride.

Tho winner will beat this horse if lie fulfils his promises. Mr A. Douglas of North Otago, took tho other two prizes. A fine ring of fourteen went out for the yearling class. They were a good nil round lot. Some were representor fives of iho rough big boned stamp, whilo others were fine enough for spring cart horses almost. The judges had no easy task to perform, and it look theni a. long time to arrivo at a decision. The colts in showing their paces showed in many instances, very littlo previous schooling. The noise and tho crowd made them afraid to stop out, and as they hardly knew what was expected of them, several fine looking animals exhibited a stiff method of moving. In the class for geldings a couple of entries wero made, the property of Mr. A. G. Kee, of Claremont. Tom and Punch, were line animals fit for borough or County Council work, they were big bay horses with good legs and feet. Tom had previously won prizes at Waimato and Oamaru, and he had the red ticket tied on him again yesterday. He was bred by Mr. George Hunter. There was only one entry each in the threo year old and two year old geldings, both very decent animals. Mr. Shearers' Harry by Balgowrio, was a threo year old, and Mr. Taylor's bay by Union Jack, tho two year old. For the best pair of geldings in regular work, Mr. A. C. Kee's pair, Tom and Punch wore given the red ticket. Mr. Wit-hell as usual gavo special prizes for best walking stallion and marc. Walking is undoubtedly an important pace for the draught horse, the most important in fact, and it is very necessary that it should 'be given a special place in show catalogues. In the stallions, Mr. J. Shearer's Premier's Pride, a freo walker, was given first place, and Mr. J. Small's Baron Carlton the second award. Mr. Davie's mare proved the best walker amongst tho lnarss.

In the second section of t-ho Draught Horso classes, the mares in foal, or with foal at foot, faced tho judge first. Somo bonny animals were shown. All tho prizes went to Ashburton. Mr. J. Small gaining first place, Mr. T. Taylor second, and Mr. 11. D. Butterick third. Among these mares the first prize .might easily have gone to any of them. Mr. Taylor's May Queen, the second prize winner, has taken many prizes in the show rings of the Dominion. There were two entries in tho brood mare class shown with two of her progeny, and Mr. T. Taylor's Dawn with progeny by Premier's Pr'flo a"d Sir Roger came out on top. Tho fillies were attacked next, and taken all through thev frere as fino a lot as one could wish to see anywhere. Th" classes were well-filled and they all showed good quality. In fact the same remark applies all through the female classes in the draughts. Their nuality and soundness was on the whole, better than that of the stallions. Evidently there is some good stock coming forward in the fillies, showine" that breeders are competent to produce food, sound working animals. The fillies were an exceptionnlly nr , c j 0 l: the judges Imd great difficulty in separating them. Mr T. TVivlor took'' first prize with an especially fine pair of mares in that class and as a natural seanence the same

owner scorer] in tliP three hor« nnd four horse teams. The nrize winvn'nomares then paraded for < - rinm'Mnn honours. Mr T. Taylor's fino bay beast, Jean Armour, Sir Roger—Dawn was adorned with the blue ribbon. Mr. Small's Nancy Bell, by Kelvin, securing reserve champion. The last class was that of champion stallion, and Mr. •T. Weir's Balgowrie, as expected was fiveii tho much coveted ribbon, with Mr. A. AVcir's Premier, reserve champion. THE LIGHT HOUSES, i'nnciuaiiy at> j.u a.m. mo light iii,io«j (..ur Alex, lioylej ciiicK.il I/im; liny, iiccunipaiiieU by l.no cia»s oicimiiiia mm tm-y set to worii without Uuim.v. 'x 110 LuoroiigiiDi'cu stamens citiiiu hi'!>L on tno emu, siiul iiau a. uuzen hires, out vc an entry of seven, i»;<ra<icu tuo ring, tlio missing ono hemg j.ur .11 -in.viio's Uastasnore. 'J he stallions lor mo most part, looked very well, though one or two v ere liaruly-up to snow condition. 'J ins romanc applied to Mr \v. Keen's liauosome JacK, who gained, £h° red ticKet m tins class last year, it also a-pptioci to iUr iViahoney's new purchase xu.-roism, but want or condition could nob iucie tho <j,uahty which this sire snows all over. Mr Kerr's handsome stallion Canme Cinel came under review in tho pink of condition and Ins symmetrical build and lino freo action, earned for liiui a liberal amount of admiration. But tho aristocrat of tho bunch was Messrs Elworthy Bros. Finland —a siro wiio has proved his worth both on tho track and at tho stud. lie never looked better than ho did yesterday and tho judge placed him at tho top of tho class, with>last year's winner second, and Mr It. Mahoney's Nuptial Kite, third. Tho championship ribbon for best thoroughbred stallion on tho ground also went to Finland. In tho class for 2-year-old colt Mr M. Maze, of Pleasant Point, sent forward a very promising bay by Dirk Hammerhand, and scored tho red ticket with it. A pair camo up for adjudication in the class for yearling colt or filly, and Mr J. Howey scored with a pretty chestnut by Deerstalker, Mr g. Trilford talcing second placo with a black filly by Finland. Elworthy Bros., special prizes for the best yearling or 2-yen r-olds- by Finland, fell to a very nice iilly owned by Messrs W. J. Black and Won. Mr E. Butcher, of Fairvicw who earao second, showed a sturdy little dark bay winch gives promise of developing into something really good. It was a ±pssup which of tlie two placed ones should get first honours, Out Mr Black's filly showed the freest action and this gained her an extra point. Mr H. Kerr's special prize of ij'l 2s for yearling colt or lilly by Cannio Oiuel only brought forth one entry, this being a nicely proportioned chestnut belonging to Mr JJ. McLeod, and it was given the prize. Strange to say, tho class for tnoroughbred brood inaro brought no entry. Tho Association offered a special prizo for tho best thoroughbred entire with three of his progeny. Mr Kerr showed Cannie Chiel, but as the siro was accompanied by only one of his progeny, no award was made.

Coming next to tho cobs and ponies, it must be said that these were of a distinctly high order of merit. Almost without exception they were turned out for inspection as fit as good feeding, grooming, and handling could make them. It is doubtful whether such uniform good quality has ever been seen before at a Timaru show, tho ponies being specially good; and it was surprising where they all came from. In the class for pony stallion, only one came forward, but it was a very good one aud well merited tho ticket with which it was decorated. This wns the pretty littlo Lord Antrim owned by Mr W. McMillan. Tho stallion is only 2-years old, and lie shows many good points. A special prize offered ior tho best turned out pony, rider and gear to be taken into consideration, called forth half a dozen competitors, and of those, Miss H. Trilford was awarded tho coveted place. In tho class for pony between 12 and 13.2 hands to bo ridden by a boy or girl not over 13 years of age, Miss 13. Wright was very unfortunate. Out of a class of nine ponies, hers was selected as tho best and she would have got tho red ticket but for the fact that she was herself three years 'too old to be in the saddle. The ponies were a well-mannered lot. and looked lirst-class as they trotted and can-

tered around the ring, their youthful mounts, all of whom appeared quite at home in the saddle. The class for pony between 13.2 and 14.2 was an uneven one, the margin being too wide to ensure anything like uniformity. The limit of 14.2 let in some which are hardly considered ponies in the ordinary acceptation of the term, and the big and well got up polo ponies from the Pareora stables, came in and simply swamped tho ordinary littlo ponies. Both first and second placo went to tho Ehvorthy's whose ponies left no room for any other adjustment of places. As pretty a lot of polo ponies as ever entered a, show ring trotted in when the class for polo ponies was called. Tho height was limited to 1-1.2, and handiness and manners had to be taken into consideration by the judge. There were eleven of them in all, everyone turned out as neat and trim as hands could make them, and the judgo spent threequ irters -of an hour in putting them through their paces and genemly inspecting them. As even as yeas in a pod, they took a lot of separating, 1 ut finallv the decree went forth that the tluiw brothers Ehvorthy had got <-Tst. second and third, respect!/dy Jhe onlookers got somewhat tired of waiting for tho result in this class, but tho iudge was very conscientious and was anxious that no one should suffer an injustice if he could help it. A pony Irottin- race caused great excitement, {Le winner, Master B. Shaw, winning by a short, head, from a bunch of six The ponv jumping was also very intaosting Miss Wright rode well in.this, a!id secured second place the winner ami s^^ri < - n w ii o r ode a Wainiate being Bert Kaan w r g &s&%&»£?%■& minus a saddle. nY era«e lot. A h tST™%> nnVSln the a disparaging mnarkior the average haciviiey at tho lim.ui * how 7s not a horse that any man need bp all ainod of. The idea intended to be conveyed is thai .tho. hucknejs which came under review >£tenk> had nothing to mark thorn as stand ng out better than those which have, been shown hero in recent years. borne oi the voung stock showed signs of having come through a had winter, ine blue ribbon for hackney stallion went to Mr John Withell's imported horse Defender 11. There were three sires trotted into the ring to compete for this honour, and it was interesting to watch how the judge was going to get over the problem 'which the trio set him. One! was a type of the old school, Grand Faulkner, a four-year-old by Gipsy Grand showing much of tho thoroughbred, while the other two were imported hackneys; in other words, it was a contest between English and colonial. If the judge favoured a sire likely to throw long journey horses with plenty of heart, and action coming chiefly from the shoulders he would haveMiad to throw the two imported hackneys out and stick to the colonial, but if he favoured the short distance horso with plenty of kneo as well as shoulder .action, something sharp and nippy, ho would have to stick to them. Ami he did the latter. Tho day oi the long-distance horse has gone, for the motor-car has displaced him, and what is wanted now is a showy horse that will do a short distance quickly, and look well wbile he is doing it. Grand Faulkner, though a. good horse, was therefore dismissed, and Mr Withell's pair—Londesborough and Defender 11. —left in. The judge spent some time in deciding which of the two should have first honours, and his choice finally fell on the latter, though there was very little between them. borne good marcs Tor breeding weight carrying hacks weri- shown, Mr J. -Barry taking first in this class. In (he class for lost hack a Waimate horse c-aibe an easy first, this being Mr F. •)■ White's Victory. Victory, it will be remembered, took first at Tini'aru last year, and was so highly ' thought of by tho judge (.Mr Orhell, of A\aikouaiti) that be bought him at a high figure from Mr Edgar. Mr Orbell won £33 in prize money with him last year, and then sold to Air White. The horse has now standing to his credit 24 first and 0 second tickets, and his present owner recently refused lOOgns for him —a. bid made by a Home buyer. A Christchurch horse, Mrs F. J. Saville's Clarence —a very stylish and well mannered chestnut-—scored in the class for list hack, and Mr A. S. Elworthy's Wizard came first in the 13st class (for horses which h:>d never previously won a prize in this class). There was a nice ring of horses in the class for hidy's hack, and here Clarence scored again, Liberty and Ironbark coming .second and third respectively. CARRIAGE HORSES. As to Luc carnage horses, it must be saui thai, tnose snow n were a very goon lot, tnougii nothing exceptional, in one or two classes m whieii tnero wen' 'inly one or wu entries of poor quality, the judge used a wise discretion in lieciuing to make no award. He expressed t.'.ie opinion that the A. and .I*. Shows would be quite useless if prizes wl-cc given wlierc they an; not merited. Turee carriage stallions entered the lists, and the judge's choice fell on Father O'Flynn, a powerfully built grey sue owned by Mr J. Williams ,of Pleasant Point. In tho class for three-year-old carriage stallion, there was only one competitor, and the judge gave a commended ticket considering- tho animal unworthy of cither a firsu or second. The owner refused to take the ticket offered him, and used some language for which he might very justly have been put olf the ground. Jwo competitors came forward in the class for stallion to be driven in harness, and judged for speed, style, action, and conformation. Mr Hugh Kerr's liruadleaf showed his utility points, and scored a win for his district —Fairlie. The Association's special prize for the best hackney or carriage stallion with three of his progeny was annexed by Mr J. Withell's Defender 11. The sire looked well, but the youngsters were not in show form. There was only the one entry in this class. TRADE TURNOUTS.

As usual, prizes were ottered lor tradesmen's turnouts and tiieso elicited jjood competition. Horse, cart, ami harness were taken into consideration, aud a. stipulation was made that the cart and harness must have- been in constant use for at least three months prior to the date of the show. in the class for horses up to 10 cwt. there were five competitors and they were all very creditable. First place fell to the Messrs Hughes and Sirninons, dairymen, who showed a particularly smart turn-out and well deserved their win. K. Bowie and Co. took second aud third, respectively. In the class for horse up to 20 cwt there were only two competitors and of these the one entered by J. Jackson ami Co., wns adjudged the best. In spring dray horse up to 25 cwt. Mr A. J] Greig and the Thuaru Milling Company each showed a useful type of horse, but one was a little better than the other, the scales falling in favour of Mr Groig. In the class for spring dray horse up to 15 cwt. and also in that for farmer's spring cart horseMessrs A. S. aud P. A. Elworthy took first honours with their chestnut gelding Snip who beat the same owner's grey gelding Don in both classes. Don bad previous! v never been beaten. TROOP HORSES. There were two classes for troop horses, and while one filled well, there were only three entries in the other. In the class for troop horse up to 13st., to be ridden by a volunteer in uniform Mr H. 'l'.. Kosendulo was first, Tlio

judge remarked that all • three horses in this class were two inches too high, in his opinion 15.1 was plenty high enough for a troop horse. The douhlo quartette which appeared in'tho class for troop horse to be ridden over fences, made a fine show with their uniformed riders flying the obstacles. First honours went to Captain O. H. Gresson's Rusty who put up a good performance, Sergt.-Major Edgar's Trixie coming second, and Trooper A. J. Black's Flossie, third. COMPETITIONS FOR HUNTERS.' These were timed to start about 3 o'clock, but it was within a. few minutes of 4 o'clock ere the judges took their stand. As Mr Boyle had to catch his train, Messrs Studholme (To Waiinate) and Barker (Winchester) were requested to act as judges, and did so with pleasure. A start was made with the Association's class, £5 for the best jumper on the ground. Victory led the way with Mr L. Parkinson in the saddle, and though he got rather close in to the first hurdle aid the gorse, got through his trials with much credit. Ironbark gave a very good display, but Clarence who followed was more flighty than on the first day, refused the hurdle once but did a very fine second round.' Darky disliked the gorse and was too flash to give a good uisplay. Liberty touched the first timber but otherwise gave an excellent display of foncing. Uncle Tom rapped tiie second hurdle hard, and was otherwise uneven. Dr Bill was again out and at the light hands of Miss B. Connor did two excellent rounds, greeted with cordial applause all round the ring. Wizard did not like the sand which had been spread over the take-off at the second hurdle and played up before he could be got to face the timber. His second round, however, was good. Mr Acton 'Adams could not get his hunter round and after three refusals pulled out. Bloomfield though taking off eomewhat short, did well, and Matai after doing a good first round, almost carried away the hurdle in the second. The judges could not separate Liberty and Dr Bill and sent them another round. Still they could not bo separated, and the pair were sent round together. Mr H. Elworthy gave his fair companon a lead at hurdles and gorse, but both flew the sod wall together, an incident that called forth great applause. As Liberty had shaped best the award went to him, much to the; evident disappointment of many who would so much have liked to see the lady repeat her victory of last year. In a contest like this, however, the prize is for the best, and the sexes as at the ballot'box meet on equal terms. The Maiden Class followed, for Messrs Elworthy Bros, guineas, £5 5s and £3 3s, and drew the biggest entry of the hunters' competitions. It must be truly said that the contest was really good, and it is a credit to the district to find so many really safe and clever fencers in South : Canterbury. Darky made play but was again too rash at his fences, but Mac did a first rate two rounds. Uncle Tom followed, and in the hands'• of an accomplished horseman like Mr L. Parkinson did exceedingly well. Waimba,' was awkward and shirked the hurdle; Trixie almost fell at the gorse but was otherwise very good. Bat disliked the crowd and Rusty. ; was indifferent. Restless was in the same .class but Donation on the whole did very fair -trials. Both Hybrid' and All Black had to have the whip put on them at the jumps, which, of course, rather discounted their chances; .and AIL Black besides bustling his fences would have none of the sod wall. Jaclf was uneven but was going well when ho unseated his rider at the wall, and Wizard again disliked the. sand spread very much and did not do .himself justice The first prize was once awarded to Uncle Tom, but Mac and Trixie had to go mother .round to deride second honours, Trixie winning. This event closed the so far as the majority of spectators was concerned, the Show of 1909;- ° MILITARY EVENTS. Eleven non-conmussioned omcers ana troopers took part in the- liescue; Kace, over the nights of hurdles, pick up dummy and return to starting .poinu over wo more hurdles, i'lio neats woro run in three and one two. and very close work was shown. There was no accident of moment, two troopers becoming unseated; and one; horse tailing. The semi-final, and final, were under fire, the part of fire being close to the dummies. The horses took no notice of the reports, and were well under control the whole time. A very keen competition resulted as follows: — Trooper H. H. Brosnahan, £2 2s, 1; Trooper Geaney, £l, 2. . In the Lloyd-Lindsay Competition there were five competing sections — Studholme (Sergt.-Major Goldstone), C.Y.C. (Sergt.-Acton Adams), S.C.M.R, (Sergt. Hurdley), S.C.M.R. No. 2 (Sergt-Major Edgar), and Ashburton Mounted Rifles. The Studholme men had hard luck as one of their horses fell at the first jump. The Ashburton men were equally unfortunate for one of their horses ran off at the first hurdle. The C.Y.C. gave, a very failperformance, marred somewhat by one of their horses bolting. The S.C.M.R. No. 1 gave a very good all round performance, and the S.C.M.R. No. .2 also did well. Colonel Chaffey, of Christchurch, and Captain Northcote, were the judges, and they awarded the palm to the. Christchurch team, Colonel Chaffey stating that the. 'performance, taken "as a wholej.was ;'ohb of. the- best he had seen ona show ground. The uniformity of the C.Y/.'G;'-in jumping, and their time, had won the a competition for them, he-added. '•• Best Four of Mounted Rifles. — C.Y.C. (Sergt. Acton-Adams), 1; Studholme Mounted Rifles, 2.

Lloyd LindsavC.Y.C. 93 pts 1, S.C. M.R. (Sergt.-Major Edc;ar 82 pts 2, S.M.R.R. (Sergt. Hurdley) 77 pts 3.