ASHBURTON A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3558, 19 September 1916, Page 5

ASHBURTON A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

The annual horse parade under the auspices of the Ashburton A. and i. Association took place on the showgrounds to-day. The weather was fine, and there was a fairly good at-, tendance of fanners. i The entries this year totalled 2b, as against 30 last year. .In. the aged draughts' class the entries totalled lb, the same number having been entered last year. Iv tho draught colt class eio-ht entries were received this year, as against nine last! year. Last year two thoroughbreds were entered, but this year no competitors came forward. In the miscellaneous class, comprised of trotters, carriage horses, etc., three, entries were received, and a similar number last year. This year one pony was entered. There were no entries m pomes last year 1. The Association also . included a class €his year for a stallion suitable for breeding military retfounts, but no competitors came for- ■' The falling-off of two entries was more than compensated for by the general all-round quality of the horses paraded to-day. Breeders expressed the opinion that the quality of tho horses generally exceeded anything seen at many of the previous excellent .parades held on; Ashburton showgrounds. The entries in local and district horses showed iv slight falhng<iflf as .compared with .previous parades, although outside breeders -were well represented It is hardly necessary to state that all the horses were shown in the pink of condition, and their fine quality was a source of favourable comment from all quarters. After many ■ years of careful breeding and a very large amount of importation, the Ashburton breeders have been successful in set.ting a standard of draughts which would be haref'to outrival in any district in .New Zealand. The introduction of veterinary examinations has also accomplished a great deal in regard to the soundness of horses shown at * Annual horse parades. All the horses paraded to-day had firsts to be examined by a veterinary surgeon, and ifc is• gratifying to note that not ai "Single horse failed in soumlneess. I