HORSE SHOW

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1926, Page 3

HORSE SHOW

TINY GIRL RIDER’S SHY SMILE. LONDON, June 26. A solemn, little girl on u pony was the star attraction of the International Jlorso Show yesterday afternoon, when she rode around the arena at Olympia with a shy smite lor the Prince of "Wales, who smiled back from the royal box.

(She failed to win first prize, in the competition for riding ponies, but her extreme youth—she did not look more than five—rand the air of great authority with which sho managed her mount, quito won tlio hearts of the spectators applauding her from all sides.

Tho spectators were unusually numerous, 'and included many foreign visitors hero for the London season who were eager to get their first glimpse of the Prince of A\ ales on his 32nd birthday. The Prince arrived at 3 o’clock. Hardly had ho taken his seat when the arena was cleared and the gates again thrown open for the annual visit of tho Coaching Club. Those gay vehicles—mere holiday copies ol the hard-working stage coach of other days—came swinging into view to a lively air from the band.' SHINING SPLENDOUR.

There were six of them, all in a state of splendour that would have confounded tho ordinary driver in did Georgian times. Panels and boot shone like mirrors; a> spot of dust on the harness would have loomed as Imge as a clod; the horses themselves bad been groomed and polished until their sides were like satin in matched shades of brown, chestnut and roan. Two of tho coaches represented the \rniy— the exhibitors being the Royla! Army Service Cprps and the Royal Artillery, Woolwich. Of the remainder, four roans were exhibited by Sir Edward Stern, four bay browns by Mr C. ,T. Phillips, and two teams of four chestnuts by Lieut.-Col. A. K. Main, D. R.H.A., 1 and Mr W. W. Theobald respectively. Tho non-coaching observer of this glittering pageant could not pick out one team that appeared to be better than its fellows, but the judges gave first and second prizes to Mr Theobald and Mr Phillips respectively. THE “BABY.” There were 25 girls under 14 riding in the competition for ponies. As they went round and round, first walking, then trotting and cantering in obedience to Lord Lonsdale’s smiling command, they showed admirable skill and were warmly applauded. The baby of the procession, little Enid Edwards, received her “commended” rosette with quaint dignity. She tried vainly to pin it to her pony’s bridle, so calmly pinned it on herself. The judging of jumpers over the course occupied tho remainder of the afternoon and was watched by the Prince with close attention. Next Saturday a thrilling struggle is expected, when the best riders, qualified ns prizewinners in contests already held, compote for the championship trophy—over a stiffened course.