STRATFORD GYMKHANA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 254, 6 April 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD GYMKHANA.

A GREAT SUCCESS.

Tlie Stratford A. and P. Association were favored with a perfect summer's dry for their annual gymkhana hold yesterday 011 the show grounds. The fine weather induced the whole countrywide to turn out, with the result that the.-c was a good attendance. The sum of £125 was taken at the gates. The <:xecutive committee of the gymkhana, with Mr. Sid Ward as secretary, proved a splendid set of systematic workers, and the day's sport proved highly entertaining and most successful. The grounds were in excellent, order, there being a fine turf for the equine events. A feature of the day was the delightful programme of music by the Stratford Orchestra, under the conduetorship of Mr. R. G. Cottier. The officials kept ihe events to scheduled time, and by 5 o'clock the lengthy programme had been put through without hitch or hindrance. The equine competitions brought out some good types of animals, some of which showed careful schooling. Sew ral of the horses could have been belter mannered, there being a tendency to rr.ee at the hurdles, while in the trott>>g events some of the animals !•—'•« badly and would not settle to 'the;:' Tin

Boy Scout competition i t J a good inclusion in the day's sport, and should be encouraged at all shows, sports meetings, etc. Results arc as under:—

HORSE EVENTS. Tony Jumping—Erie Cleaver's Piter (Hawera) I, Dorothy Cleaver's Arauae (Hawera) 2, C*. Patterson's Flora (K-v----puni) 3. • The ponies were ridden by boys and girls under 14 years, and the rides handled their mounts creditably. Six competitors.

Best Lady Driver Mrs. Craddock (Stratford) 1, Mrs. T. Orr (Ngaere, 2, Miss Dorothy Cleaver (Hawera) 3. Four starters.

Maiden Pony Trot (ponies ridden by boy or girl under 14 years) —Leo Shotter's Tuna (Midhirst) 1, W. McKen/>.'s Tommy (Urenui) 2, Dorothy Cleaver's Arapae (Hawera) 3. Eleven starters. A good go in the early stages of the race, but in the last lap the winner had ar: easy run in.

Maiden Hunters' Competition (each horse to carry not less than 12 stone— N. C. Pepperell's Red Wing (Waitara) 1,E. Mills' Tasman (Kaponga) 2, P. Phelan's Webshell (Stratford) 3. Nine horses competed. A keen contest between the first and second horses.

Mile Trot Maiden Handicap 'in saddle)—J. Malone's Unknown 1, J. Mishewski's Bell Boy 2, Leo Shotter's Tuna 3. A field of eighteen started. Won with something in hand. Time, 3tnm. lfisecs.

Harnessing and Unharnessing Competition for Ladies —Miss Kennedy (Stratford) 1, Mrs. Bichter (Tuna) 2. Pony .Tumping (under 14 hands; ponies ridden by boys or girls under 17 years) Dorothy Cleaver's Aiapae (Hawera) 1. Eric Cleaver's Peter (Hawera) 2, J. Butler's Paddy (Urenui) 3. Six starters. Some good leaping was shown, and the young riders were quite at home at thr.ir work.

Maiden Pony Trotting Handicap (under 14 hands; ridden by boy or girl under 17 years)—W. MeKenzie's Tommy (Ureliui )1, Dorothy Cleaver's Arapae (Hawera) 2, Eric Cleaver's Jill (Hawera) 3. Tn the last round Tommy drew out and won comfortably. Time, 3min. 53secs. Trotting Handicap (One mile and alialf) —W. Curd's Joe Patch ], J. Buteher's Cerise 2, E. O'Sullivan's Asthore 3. Thirteen started. The winner trotted evenly right through, and ■in the run homo had an easy victory. Time, 4tsi.ii:. 48secs.

Hunters' Competition (horses to .iar,"v not less than 12st.) —E. Mason's Kiri (Stratford 1, E. A. Pepperell's Czar (Waitara) 2, N. C. Pepperell's Red Wing (Waitara) 3. Fourteen competed. The leaping by the winner was particularlv good.

Pony Trotting Handicap (about one mile; ponies ridden by boys and [,'irls under. 17 years)—H. Rodger's' Lady \im .(Hawera) 1, J. Tapp's Nellie (Midhirst) 2, I. Julian's Jack Braniiigan (Inglewood) 3.

Turning Competition on Horseback (riders to take their mounts around a number of flag posts)— Mr. Julian 1. Mr. Cleaver 2.

Victoria Cross Race (competitors to ride over hurdles, pick up dummies, icmount and ride over same course) —N. C. Pepperell's Red Wing and Nellie (Waitara) 1 and 2. Tug-of-War on Horseback—Two teams of four each competed, Mr. J. MeKenzie's team winning.

BOY SCOUTS. Boy Scouts' Bridge-building—Vog"l--town team 1, Stratford team 2. Boy Scouts' Semaphore Signalling— WaitaYa team 1, Stratford team 2. Boy Scouts' Ambulance Event—Vogoltown (31 points) 1. Waitara (30 points) 2; Stratford and New Plymouth teams, with 27 points each, tied for third pla"e. These events by the Scouts proved very interesting, ami the lads deserve credit for the efficient manner in which the work was carried out.

THE "BABIES. Baby Show (under six months) —Franks Doran (Stratford) 1, Marjorie (Stratford) 2, Alum Thompson (Stratford) 3. Five entries.'

Baby Show (under 12 months) —Monica Fabish. (Midhirst) 1. Edward Hunter (Stratford) 2, Ahua Thompson (Stratford) 3. Twelve plump, healthy little bundles of humanity competed. Mrs. A. W. Budge officiated as judge. DOG TRIALS.

Sheep Dog Trial —P. Tocker's Chum (Midhirst) 38 points, r>min. 35sccs., 1; C. Rolfe's Lad.v Chief (Malau) 33 points, fimin. 4Ssccs., 2; P. Tocker's Flip, 31 points, Oniin. .'feces., 3; A. Corrigm's Marvel (Hawera) v.h.e. An intercst'ng and popular event.