HUNTER CLASSES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2315, 25 March 1930, Page 3

HUNTER CLASSES

ELEVEN STONE OR THIRTEEN. QUESTION OF ELIGIBILITY. Should an eleven-stone hunter be eligible to compete in the class for thirteen-stone hunters? This was the conundrum propounded by- a competition through the secretary, Mr F. Banks, at the last meeting of the executive of the Matamata A. and P. Association, states the Matamata ( Record. The statement made to the secretary was that au 11-stonc hunter could enter for the 13-stonc class, but the 13stone hunter could not -enter in the llstone class. Both were eligible for the championship, therefore the 13-stonc hunter was penalised. At first blush it appeared that opinion favoured the complaint, but then the "horsey" men got to work, but their explanations for a start only tangled things somewhat and the discussion become more involved. During much cross-talk the chairman was heard frequently to remark that it was a question for the judge, who, if he knew his job,'would throw an 11stone hunter out of a 13-stone class, Mr C. G. Payze stated that to his recollection the same horse had never won both classes at Matamata. • Mr Stevens: Thou there is no complaint. After the secretary had refused to divulge the name of the competitor propounding the conundrum, despite the cajolery of being told the meeting was "in committee, 7 ' he pointed out that in his opinion there was something in the complaint. Referring to the award book he drew members' attention to the fact that El Arish had taken first prize in the 11-stonc class and second prize in the 13-stone class. Discussion then started all over again for a short period; and one member stated the rider might make the difference. This was countered by another member, who stated in that case the 11stone horse should be in the 13-stone class and that class only. "I don ; t know a 7-stone hore from a 21-stone horse," he concluded, "but it appears wrong to me." Again those with a knowledge of horse-flesh raised their voices loud enough for the chairman's opinion to - be supported, and the matter was dropped as being one for the judge only. It seemed, however, from the discussion, that members agreed that the statement, which the secretary said was not in the nature of a complaint, was justified.