HARNESS HORSES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3661, 24 October 1912, Page 5

HARNESS HORSES

In the harness horses division judging was continued. In class 48, best single harness horse. 15 hands and under 15.2, Air L. H. Coon’s br g Dick. aged, by Victor, lowered the colors of Air J. Rigney’s-cr g Tasman, who the day previous had scored easilv. The judge remarked that the winner was by far the easiest horse to drive on the day's showing. Mr F. B. Barker's g g Nobbv. who looked in splendid condition, easily accounted for the opposition in Class 49, best single harness horse. 15.2 hands or over, although Afr. Geo. Witters’ blk g Smiler seemed to be above the ordinary. Tile judge pronounced the winner to be a very stylish horse. There were nine entries in tne competition for the best pony driven by a lady, and the first prize was awarded to C. A. Sherrifi’s b g C'ockie, aged. D. G. S. MacDonald’s cr in Princess, acred, being second, and C. Tientsin's Ladvbird third. The winner is an old_,-prize-v,-inner, and his victory did not create a surprise. For the best light sprin" cart horse honors went to Air H. Alar tin’s b g Prince, and for the best heavy spring cart horse the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' F. AI. Co s b g Nugget was placed first, also securing third"prize with their b g Chance. The same company were also awarded nrst and second prizes for the best lorry turn-out with one horse, and again were successful in the class for tne best lorrv turn-out with two horses, securing the whole of the prizes,_ although they met with no opposition. In (lass 55. best carrier’s turn-out, sin Me horse, the Gisborne Sheepfarmers~ F AI Go’s Nugget. 8 years (bred bv Air F Halid was placed first-, and_ id the best trade mien's turn-out Mr H. Alartin's b g prince was awarded, fir'd prize the other five competitors also making very creditable displays I r , these classes the judge remarked s iron "I v on the indifferent manner in which several of the competitors had attended to their horses’ foot, saying that if was very often blemishes oi this kind that lost a competitor first place The judge also stated tnat the hordes in the light spring cart class were too heavy. For the best entire calculated to improve the breed ot carriage and coaching horses. Jli '' - Pilcher, of Waerenga-a-bika, secured tirst prize with his fine b h Imperial Prince. 7 rears, by Prince ImperialPrincess (bred by S. Pritchard, Ashburton). Air J. Greentree s b c Lord Roth being second. The winner is a magnificent stamp ot the thoroughbred entire, and the other four com--netitors wort* also of a higii order ot merit. The judging of Air F. A aughan crave o-eneral satisfaction, and the Association are exceedingly fortunate m securing that gentleman’s services in the competition for harness horses. Air Vaughan informed us that ins task had been a comparatively easy one, and he was greatly struck with the splendid class of animal exhibited in each class. He certainly is of opinion that the Association should institute a class in itself for light . carriage stallions. The judge was ably assisted in his duties by Messes J- RMurphy. H. Smith, and F. Shernff (stewards).

draught horses

The heavy horse classes, generally speaking, were of a commendable type, and there were some really brilliant specimens among the entrants. The judge (Mr. M. F. Donovan) found it-'neeessary to make the very closest inspection in almost every case," owing to the evenness of the competitors. “The horses, in fact, remarked the judge to a “Times” reporter “were superior to those 1 had before me at Hawke’s Bay.’’ .The liveliest interest was evinced in the judging of t-lie horses from as eoxTvas 9 a?mand the decisions met with approval, the careful adjudicating of Mr. M. F. Donovan being such as to give competitors full confidence in him.

The most disappointing feature was that the classes for younger sorts were not very liberally competed in, even as compared to last year s show, and although authorities were sanguine of the possibilities of Poverty Bay in the matter of breeding draught horses, it seems that sufficient attention is not being paid to this class of horse. There ~ were only three

yearling colts in the class, and the chestnut Punch, bred by the exhibitor (Mr. C. Gray) was ■placed after brief consideration. Six entries were catalogued in the class for yearling fillies and geldings, and Mr.'ls. M. Hutchinson’s bay gelding, by Lincoln Stamp—Beryl, was chosen for first place, with Mr. Geo. Witters’ blue filly (111 months), by King Edward —Blue Bell, .second. The two-year-old fillies and colts were a good krt, but the three-year-old classes were poorly competed in. There were five mares, to foal this season, or with foal at foot, and the class was a strong one, the winner and champion mare being Mr. J. McKenzie's brown mare Blass (6 years), by Gallant Prince —Blairgowrie, and bred by .the exhibitor. She was an excellently-styled mare, of fine quality, and the’selection was a popular one. The dry mares did not merit special comment, and; the teams of working horses were rather a, ragged lot. and weak in numbers. The class for the best entire, any age, attracted eleven competitors, and provided a fine exhibition. The winner and also the champion was ilr. W. J. Jones’ bay horse Highland Lad (8 years), which the judge described as “a horse possessing great quality and substance. Of a decidedly superior quality.” The judge in his remarks added: ‘ Some of the younger classes were very poor, and not brought up to Show form. There were faults from the breeding.” In the thoroughbred stallion class there were five entries, and all ■with the exception of Multifid paraded. The prize was awarded to Gazeley, who looked extremely well. He also secured the championship, Battleaxe being placed second. The class as a whole was extremely good, and this -district is well catered for in this respect. Battleaxe was also awarded pride of place for the best entire calculated to improve the breed of weight-carriers. He is a good stamp of a stallion, and should sire serviceable stock.