BUCKJUMPING EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 18 April 1907, Page 2

BUCKJUMPING EXHIBITION.

Despite the rather cold night the. crowd staved interested and amused to | the last at AVednesday's buckjumping exhibition opposite the railway station, and everyone came away fully satisfied with the'performance. There was no ■elaborate gear or trappings, the horses being ridden without these and without ,biH and they were thus given every chance of bucking to their heart's delight. Despite their most strenuous . elVoris. thev were unable to shift the riders of the troupe, and it really seemed that they were imnvo-rablc. The lighting arrangements were not of the best; but there was a big ring in which the animals bucked and curveted and reared in vain. The methods adopted were not of the savage order, and there was no suspicion of "cruelty, i'erhaps the most lively performances were given by two bullocks, which bucked like a house alive.- A local man, "Mr 1!. Hart, mounted one of them, hoping to earn the cash (ill'ered to anyone who could sit on the beast for a minute. In about two seconds the ox was riderless. Harry Cray successfully sat the bullocks, without'saddle or bridle, during a couple of minutes' display of genuine bucking, nue of the beasts rushing madly about in its ell'orts (o rid itself of its load. Percy Ingley managed the horse Starlight in a good bucking bout, and Frank Kin", riding Skyrocket, had a busy time, the animal leaping into the air with startling rapidity. Then came Dingo, a fresh young beast, nervous and trembling. After much preparation, Harry Cray mounted. The bandage was removed from Dingo's eyes. He snorted, pawed the grownd, then leapt forward, sideways, and upwards, all apparently at once, but he could not dislodge the rider. The flank-rope made him still more active, and this time he bucked right under the ring-rope, Cray clearing himself cleverly. Loud cheering followed this act, which was the liveliest, equestrian feat of the evening. The management ohVied a prize of £2 to anyone who would ride the next Horse, Hastings "Bob, a staunch bay. .Mr. Black. the ring-master, undertook to put 'dim through his puces, but Hob wouldn't buck, although he fell once, bolted once and the rider cleverly leapt from the saddle when he started to buck. Kate Kelly, Acrobat, and 'Posnm also gave a good exhibition, but the riders eame oil' best at any turn. The Harrison Band played before the performance. The company appear again to-night. Those who know horseflesh, ami know horsemanship, or who want to see horsemanship, should ii;tend without fail. Kivsh horses, including some local youngsters and a noted bad brute of Jlr T. Hook's, will be taken in hand. The merit of last night's show should ensure a crowded tent 10-night.