THE GYMKHANA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 65, 25 March 1913, Page 8

THE GYMKHANA.

STRATFORD A. AMD P. ASSOCIATION.

A SUCCESSFUL DAY. The Gymkhana has come to stay. A year ago the Stratford A. and P. Association wished to make certain improvements which could not be effected out of ordinary revenue, and the first Gymkhana was the financier which came to the Association’s rescue. -Recognising chat Stratford possesses no Easter Monday attraction, and having in mind the general’ success of the innovation, the Asso-,

ciation’s officers decided to make the

Gymkhana an annual affair. \esterday’s function proclaimed the fact that the Committee had decided wisely. From every point of view, Gymkaana No. 2 was a capital affai, well organised, capably managed, and productive of a maximum of enjoyment to those who wisely decided to spend Easter Monday in Stratford, and on the Showgrounds. One outstanding feature of the Gymkhana is the proot; it affords of the loyalty and devotion j of the officers of the Association to the interests of their Society. There is an immense amount of work attached to running the event, but the executive and general committees have gone about their work with en-, thusiasm, and devoted their attentions to the Gymkhana as whole-heartedly

as they do to the annual show. Though it rained early in the morning, and blew r hard throughout the day, Easter Monday' was still a very fair day. The heavy fall of snow on the Mountain, chilled the western wind, and made the grand-stands a hospitable shelter. So far as tire j day’s programme was concerned, thej principal events of the day were the horse jumping. Entries were ninner-; ous, and tho public were treated to ai really fine exhibition from such wellknown riders as Mr A. Cliff, “Tim”'| Jones, and Miss Maggie Briggs, of| Inaha, as well as Miss Abbott, whose! skill as a horsewoman is recognised alii over Taranaki. The cycling events | proved unsatisfactory from the point of view of most of tne competitors, but the spectators enjoyed them immensely. Tho Borough’s read ioiler did its best with the track —a very poor best. The conditions, however, seemed to suit young Richmond, who walked away with all the red tickets. Some of the “also starteds” found their steads more uncertain than the buckjumpers, and at least one very neat somersault was .recorded. The trotting events went off well, the main feature of these events being the reluctance of the horses to trot. The grey mare, with hardly a “break” to its discredit, was the mainstay of tho team, and had hard luck in not securing the big money. There was a formidable entry for the poster competition, but only two faced the starter, and Mr R. 'Beckett, painter and paperhanger, secured the first prize, with Masters and Son, of grocery fame, a good second. The buckjumping was eagerly watched, but only one fail was witnessed. But the piece de resistance was the tug-of-war. After the Mounteds had eclipsed the “B” Company’s team, the Executive came t > light with a rattling good team, and too “dogs of war” had to tatio second place. Various competitions uere instituted, an innovation being the shooting gallery, worthily controlled by Mr P. Budd. Mr E. A. Osmond tept the guessing competition going at a lively pace, while Mr Campbell Jackson “boosted” the chain-stepping event. The President cf the Association (Mr J. D. Healy) kept a watchful eye on things during the day, as did Mr W. P. Kirkwood (ex-president). Messrs. A. Stewart and IT. Good were the judges, and Mr R. Dingle got through a lot of work as steward in charge of the holding paddock, Messrs Twiss and Cameron assisting. Other officials were:—D. J. Malone, L. Wane (bicycling events); E. B. Stohr (timekeeper); J. B. Richards, "VV. H. Young (gates). Excellent music was supplied by the Stratford Municipal Band, under Bandmaster Marshall. Mention should also he made of the catering, which was in tho capable hands of Mrs Brooking. The results were as follows :—-

One Mile Bicycle Handicap.—B. Richmond (150yds), 1; S. L. Tanker (60yds), 2; L. Connelly (150yds), 3. R. Tapp (140yds), C. Hull (150yds), and T. E. Speck (150yds) and E. A. Tonmley (150yds) also started. Speck and Townley fell. Won hy 15 yards, with 40 yards separating second and third. Time, 2min 53 2-ssec. Pony Jumping (under 14 hands).— J. 1). Mitchell’s “Princess” 1, E. Mason’s “Rockefeller” 2, Four staited. Best Lady Driver.—Mrs C. Craddock I, Miss Ethel Abbott 2. Six competed. Two Mile Bicycle Handicap.—B. Richmond (200yds) 1, S. L. Parker (120yds) 2. P. Hill (100yds), L. Connelly, and T. E. Speck (200yds) also started. Won easily by eighty yards. Ball and Bucket (Ball thrown to galloping rider, who catches ball and drops it in bucket, while galloping).-

A. Cliff 1. Five Miles Bicycle Handicap.—l 3 llirhmnnd (120 yd d) 1, E. Towidey (2 K' yds) 2. S. Ij. Parker (120yds), 1,. Connolly 1290yds), T. E. Speck (100yds) also started. Won ny twenty yards. One Mile Trotting Everts.—C. Bredow’s hay in. Mona, 1; (1. Thompson’s g m Fern root, 2. Fifteen started. Mona led at the half-mile, hut closely nm hy the grey, who finished four lengths hack. Maiden Hunters’ Competition,—W 11. Boulton’s (Now Plymouth), Drudg-

cry, 1; C. H. Pollard’s Lady Shot, j 2; J. Rentoul’s John D.H., tb I Fancy Poster Race (handicap).— | R. Beckett (painter and paperhang er), 1; Masters and Son (merchants) Ladies’ Leaping Competition.—J. Robertson’s (Inaha), Dougald, 1; X I ’atarson’s (Kapuni), Xgacre, 2; J. O’Donnell’s (inaha) Grey Star, 3. Miss Maggie Briggs rode the winning horse in fine style. Miss E. Abbott, who was the niy other lady rider was also well applauded for her excellent riding. One and a half mile trotting event. —W. Simson’s dim Gothic, i; C. Bredow’s bay m Mona, 2; A. J., Riely’s Tom Boy, 3. All started. Won by half a dozen j

' lengths. Hunters’ Competition (open); earnhorse to carry not Jess than 12,st over such jumps as stewards shall decide. — ; J. Robertson’s (Inaha), Dougald, 1: I X. Paterson’s (Kapuni), Haere, 2. j Pony Trotting Events (distance foui ; times round oval. Pony to be ridden by boy under 11 years of age).—E. D. Jones’ Dolly 1, W. T. Bailey’s Jill 2. Leaping Competition (steeplechase style).—J. Robertson’s Dougald 1, J. O’Donnell’s Grey Star 2. Buck-jumping Events.—Brooks 1. C. Crowley also competed. Tug-of-War.—Mounteds heat “H” Company.