THE CLYDESDALE BREED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 17 May 1907, Page 4

THE CLYDESDALE BREED.

KENOWNED STALLION, LORD KUSKINK. The province ol" Taiauaki litis boon lo the fore in the production of iirsL-elass from the daiufy thoroughbred to the solid, but certainly more useful Clydesdale. "For the last M years or more the district has lmd a very largo quota of nieu who have made u close study id' breeding good horses, until at the present day 'Wranaki vies with Outgo and Cauterbury in the quality of stuck grown. Especially is this the ease with 1 lie Clydesdale. 'The progress in this class lias been very pronounced, and the type of animal now produced is' as well nigh perfection as possible. The lalest acquisition to the province is the splendid sire, Lord Krskine, purchased a couple of weeks ago by Mr. 1\ A. Bremer. Okinawa, whose well-known Armidale stud a-Iways had a large share of show-ring honors. Lord Krskine was bred at Mr. J. S. Holmes' Awamoa stud, Oamam. As a yearling he was purchased by his late owner, Mr. lloberi Clarke, of Koseueath slud farm, near Ashburton. The price paid for .Lord Krskine by Mr. Bremer was HOD guineas. A few days ago a Daily News, represen lative had the pleasure of inspecting the horse, and ii is sab' to say that no liner specimen of the true Clydesdale type could be found in the colony. A nice bay in color, relieved wilh while foot and a blaze down the face, this handsome sire would not fail io aUrael the attention of even the most casual observer. Lord Krskine's mould is wonderfully perfect, and all the graceful curves looked for by judges of this type of animal are there. From his feet to his alert, pricked ears, it is impossible to pick a fault, so uniform is the development. A better set of feet could not be desired, while his pasterns have the correct angle. The hair on the legs is abnndaut, long and very line. The quality of the cannon bones is splendid, and the tendons said sinews stand out |in bold relief. The forearm is mightily I developed, the legs being set ill in just 'the correct style for word. The shoulder, admirably set. making the depth from the wither to the shoulder point unusually good. The neck, crest, and head denote very line breeding, the latter showing character at every point. Lord Krskine is topped. His ample har- : re! is splendidly ribbed up, ajul coupled with a power of loin seldom met with. The development of t]je gaskin or k 'bre< nig" is very substantial, while his hocks are rightly turned. In addition to all these admirable qualities, the animal possesses great style of action. At the walk he picks up his feet as nimbly as a thoroughbred, and has a "get-away" that shows how prefectly his limbs are built in unison for work. When trotting, he throws out his mighty limbs, and steps proudly as a war horse—his action faultless. Altogether Lord Krskine is a sire that must prove himself a great factor in furthering the typical Cldesdale type. To give some idea as to what the best judges in the colony think of Lord Krskine, we append some of the distinctive honors gained by him amongst the most aristocratic company during the last year. At the International Show at Christcluirch in 1000, in a class of thirteen champions, he was placed second, and received the reserve champion award, boating the famous Agitator, who wore the champion ribbon at the Christchurch Show in 11)02, in a class of 27 line specimens and also Baron Fyvio. lialgowrie, and oilier high-priced animals. Lord Krskine also defeated the great champion, Pride of Newton in the walking contest, and gained lirst honors for | Lord Rothschild's trophy for the best colonial-bred stallion by ail imported sire. In this contest Lord Krskine defeated Mr. .John I'oag's noted lloyal Standard, which horse had previously held an unbeaten show-ring record. This contest was a most exhaustive one, the horses competing being \4y, thoroughly tested. Lord Krskine also gained first and champion awards at the Ashburton show in UWS.