HORSE PARADE AT OHAUPO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2528, 22 September 1888, Page 2

HORSE PARADE AT OHAUPO.

The parade of entire horses at Ohaupo on Tuesday Inst fell very far behind wh t it did a few years ago so far as numbers are concerned, but the quality of the horses, especially of blood stock as represented by Ingomar and Cap-a-pie, left little t.i be desired. Only a few years ago from 13 to 20 entire animals found support from breeders in Waikato. For the last three or four years this number has been gradually diminishing; until on this occasion but eight horses out of ten entered put in an appearance. Some disappointment was experienced in Master Agnes not showing up, as this horse has the reputation of being a sire of unusual bone and substance, and is looked upon as eminently suited to gut stock suitable for thu Indian market. In dealing with the thoroughbred entires, Ingomar takes precedence, his appearance and performances place him in the first rank. His forehand could scarcely be surpassed ; he is possessed of a beautiful head, rein and bhoulder. His companion, Cap-a-pie, is one of thu most ay metrical looking horses to be seen, his tine head and crest denoting his Arab descent. The demand setting in for wellbred horses will in all probability ensure a good season for these horses. Partliennpiuus had not the condition of the preceding horses, and did not show to advantage alongside of them, but he is a well-b .nod horse, and enjoys the reputation of Retting good stock, and, better still, of being a sure foal-getter. The terms for this horse are low, and as he is located at Matamata the extensive districts around will ensure good returns for his proprietors. Merriman, bred by Mr Grice, by Merrylegs, ont of a blood mare, will be classed as a Roadster, but breeders using this class of sire are not likely to pass the old favourite Merrylegs, who is still to the fore again this season in Waikato, after a year or two's sojourn in the Gisborne district, where he enjoys as high a reputation as he does in Waikato. As Mr Hill, one of the proprietors of this horse, has lately returned from Sydney, sfter disposing of a shipment of horses got by Merrylegs, and which command high prices there, it is pretty certain there is a big season before the old horse this year. In cart sires both Lord Raglan and Rantin Robin are bigboned powerful horsos, and when suitably mated, the produce should meet tho demand for lio.ivy di»y work, thu enquiry for such stock in our large contres being always good. Lowdcn Tarn, who has been regularly before tho public for the last few years, has obtained a good record for getting active.horses suitable for general firm purposes, and will have a large number of supporters throughout the distiict. Farmers have, no doubt, realised from the continued enquiry through the auctioneers for draught stock, that there is a scarcity of snitable animals available, and with the improvement in prices of late setting in, they will be encouraged this season to devote considerable attention, as in times past, to this branch of their business, and for which there is every prospect of a profitable return. Many people who look into the question of the horse supply in tho n3ar future, are quite emphatic that draught ntock is bound to rise in price for some years to come, owing to the almost entire cessation frwm breeding during the last few years generally throughout the colony.