O'NEILL'S BOCKJUMPERS AND CIRCUS.

NZ Truth, Issue 75, 24 November 1906, Page 2

O'NEILL'S BOCKJUMPERS AND CIRCUS.

O'Neill's Buckjumper.s and Trick Ponies are having an unprecedented run at the Exhibition Buildings m Cliristchurch. On Friday night last the police threatened a prosecution if any more people were admitted, as the arena was crowded to. overflowing. The doors had to "be closed and the clamoring crowd roared because, they were refused admittance. Every evening crowds of people fill the. show to overflowing and O'Neill's unique entertainment delights hundreds of visitors. The standing offer of £5 to anyone who can stick to any one of thair buckjumpers for one minute m an English saddle tempts many .a first-class rider to try for the prize. For the first week 58 men endeavor-, ed to ride the horses irt an ordinary; knee-pad rough riding saddle, and not one succeeded m sticking . to the horse more than six seconds. Horses are being continually brought into Christchurch by owne>rs,' who say that they are unrideable, and the O'Neill's, together with Alec Reid, who is engaged by the management as a rider, have always succeeded m riding them to the greatest, surprise of their owners. Mr E. O'Neill announces every evening that. any of their riders will guarantee to ride any horse that was ever foaled that anyone cares: to bring to Christchurch. They will also buy buckjumpers that are pronounced unrideable. One evening a beautiful shaped and high mettled roan horse that had come from the North Tsfand with' a remarkable reputation for bucking, • succeeded m getting rid of four riders m succession, and it seemed to a casual onlooker that it would be impossible to sit for even one second on its back. Such evidently was the thought of an English tourist and he offered from his seat m the arena a five-pound note to anyone, including the O'Neills and anyone m their employ, wi dould ride the horse. Mr E. O'Neill elected Mr S. O'Neill and Mr Alick Held for the attempt, and as both were very anxi-

ous for the fiver they drew lots as to which should mount the roan. Alick Reid was successful m drawing the winning number and at once got into the saddle and, amidst tremendous applause, rode the horse to a standstill. Since that night no fivers have been forthcoming. The Buckjump show is without doubt the most amusing and most instructive of all the side shows. His Excellency the Governor and suite, Sir Joseph Ward and a large party were amongst the audience one evening, and, expressed themselves delighted with the entertainment. The trick ponies, Silver Prince and Charmer, are also making a name for themselves as buck jumpers. It is very amusing to see a man about 12 or 14 stone endeavoring to sit upon Silver Prince's back. No one yet has succeeded m • riding him for more than 10 seconds. A new feature Mr O'Neil introduced last week was both ponies were driven into the arena m double harness, and at a word of command both ponies sat down like big ,dogs, stooped down, got their backs below the traces, swung round and faced Mr O'Neill, who was sitting m the trap. This, seems an impossible feat and must be seen to be believed. A flick of the whip and both ponies are into their places again,

Last week a wire was received from the Oamaru Agricultural and Pastoral Society, asking Mr O'Neillto sendf a rider down to compete m. a buckjumping competition, to 1» . held under their auspices at Oamaru, with the result that Alick Reid was sent south and succeeded m winning the competition. Visitors to Christchurch should on no account miss seeing the O'Neill's unique and enjoyable entertainment. .......