to or in 1897.

Exhibits of Light Horses.

179

Nine animals were exhibited in the two classes. The Judges report that with one exception the cobs entered were of the Hackney stamp, and therefore could not possibly be described as "Riding Cobs."

Cleveland Bays and Coach Horses.-Nineteen animals were exhibited in three classes, the best filled being the class for three-year-old stallions (Class 15) which contained ten animals. Messrs. Beckett Bros. obtained the first prize with "a very neat horse." The third prize horse was a good one, but rather over-sized. The two-year-olds (Class 16) numbering five, were "a very level good class," and a third prize was given under Regulation 24, all the exhibits being of high merit. Four mares were exhibited in Class 17, the first and second prize-winners being described as "both very good mares." There were no absentees from any of the three classes, and all the animals sent to the Veterinary Inspectors were passed as sound.

Hackneys. Seven classes were provided, but none of them. were well-filled. The total entries only reached 32, the lowest on record for many years. The animals sent were, however, "distinctly good, especially in the classes for mares." Class 20, for two year-old stallions was the largest, with six exhibits present, including the winner of the Champion Gold Medal, Mr. C. E. Galbraith's Administrator, a chestnut, sired by "Garton Duke of Connaught " out of "Lady Salisbury." The Female Championship went to the same exhibitor's Rosarene by "Rosador," and this animal is the subject of the illustration opposite.

The reserve number for the Male Championship went to Fitz Rose, a three-year-old stallion by Sir Walter Gilbey's "Royal Danegelt," exhibited by the Right Hon. Frederick Wrench. Sir Walter Gilbey took the reserve number for the Female Championship with Merry Sunlight, also sired by "Royal Danegelt."

Ponies. The three classes contained nineteen entries. Class 25, with four stallions, was of fair merit; the mares and foals (Class 26) were a very strong class, and all but one of the eight animals exhibited were noticed by the Judges. Class 27, for mares or geldings, was made up of four very good animals, the first prize winner, Mr. William Foster's Lady Horace, being of "extra merit."

Shetland Ponies. Two excellent classes contained fourteen

animals, eight stallions and six mares. The first prize mare,

Mrs. Wentworth Hope Johnstone's Topaz, is "an animal of unusual merit."

Mountain and Moorland Ponies.-Each of the two classes contained four animals. The winning stallions showed considerable merit. In the classes for both stallions and mares, the animals differed considerably in type.

Fell Ponies. Three special classes for this local type of pony were provided by the Carlisle Local Committee, and eleven animals competed. The Judges report that the animals were more uniform in type than the Mountain and Moorland ponies; but that with the exception of the prize winners they did not exhibit any conspicuous merit. The first prize mare in Class 33, Grey Lady, shown by Mr. William Little, also gained the Champion Silver Medal offered by the Polo and Riding Pony Society. The illustration of this animal opposite to this page will serve to show the best type of a kind of pony that is largely used in the Lake District.

Polo Ponies. The seven classes, all of which were provided by the Polo and Riding Pony Society, attracted an entry of 49, the largest exhibit of these ponies since the Birmingham Meeting, when there were 69. Sir Walter Gilbey's famous bay stallion Rosewater, whose portrait was given in Vol. 62, added to its previous laurels by again winning the Champion Gold Medal in the male classes, this being the sixth consecutive year that this animal has occupied the same position at the "Royal." The reserve number for the Male Championship was awarded to the Keynsham Stud Company for the second prize animal in Class 35, viz. Gownboy, a horse that has improved its position since the Cardiff Show, when it only obtained the reserve number in its class. The Champion Mare was found in the first prize winner in Class 37, Fine Fleur, exhibited by Mr. G. Norris Midwood. A portrait of this animal is given opposite to page 181.

The following remarks were made by the Judges of Polo Ponies:

CLASS 35 (stallions not exceeding 14-2).—Good class and true type. The Gold Medal was won by an ideal thoroughbred stallion.

CLASS 36 (stallions (Eastern sires) not exceeding 14-2).-Fair class. The first three are useful sires.

CLASS 37 (mares between 13-2 and 14-2, with foals at foot or to foal in 1902). Good and true type. Three good mares rejected by the veterinary surgeons. The Gold Medal was won by a typical good and useful mare.