5
" For the 8th Bengal Cavalry, nine horses were bought at an average price of
Rs. 260 ; highest price Rs. 292, lowest Rs. 222. No remarks are offered by the purchasing
officer.
"The horse fair of 1893 was a bigger fair than for many years past. More horses
attended and better prices were obtained.
Horses for show
Ditto
sale
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
Average of five years,
1888—1892.
575
672
1,247
1893.
571
962
1,533
" Major Rayment gives the figures as 1,405 only, but I do not think he is right. The
good attendance and the good prices evidence the prosperity of buyers more particularly.
The season is an extraordinarily late one, and, with the exception of cane pressing, the
rural population had nothing to do at home. The barley harvest did not begin till a
good fortnight after the fair was over, and the wheat was only being cut at the end of
April. Wet weather threatened off and on, and some rain fell during the week, but
little or no damage was done to tents or booths or their multifarious contents.
"The officers detailed this year to serve on the Judging Committee were Major Gordon,
6th Bengal Cavalry, Major Chisholme, and Lieutenant Parker, 5th Royal Irish Lancers, and
Veterinary Surgeons Tibaldi and Seath. I think it worthy of consideration whether the
judging could not be carried out more deliberately and more methodically. It would
take longer, of course; but if horses are to be marked for ' soundness ' at all, then
they should certainly be looked all over somewhat carefully. It is contended that the
present system is practically satisfactory ; that professional men could not be deputed to
all the horse fairs of the year ; that most horse fairs last only a few days, and the judging
would take too long a time for the convenience of dealers or breeders. All these objec-
tions may be considered by the Horse-Breeding Department. I would also observe that
it seems illogical to give the first prize for branded fillies to a mere yearling. It might
be very right to give her high marks for quality and good marks for soundness; but
it is difficult to see how she could get other than very low marks in other respects.
"This year I had a length of metalled road put down within the show ring, but I do not
think it was used by the judges. Might I suggest that one and the same Committee
of selected officers be appointed to judge at all the horse fairs in the provinces; their
reports would then possess considerable value to Government, as they would have oppor-
tunities of comparison which they do not enjoy at present.
"The Judges considered the following classes very good :— Branded mares in foal
(86 exhibits) ; branded fillies (60 exhibits) ; wretchedly bad 4-year old geldings.
Good, fair, and moderate all other classes. The whole of the Government grant was
paid out, and Rs. 610 of the grant from the Fair Fund.
"The prizes were given on the morning of the 17th in the show ring by His Honor
the Lieutenant-Governor."
The rules sanctioned by the Government of India and adopted by all Judging Com-
mittees at horse fairs and shows where Imperial prizes are awarded were those in force
at this fair. With regard to the Collector's remark as to the advisability of a Veterinary
Officer exercising care in respect to his examination as to the soundness of each head of
stock competing, I fully concur in all that officer advances, and I have pleasure in testify-
ing that at all horse fairs and shows where I have attended I have with pleasure remark-
ed the care adopted by Veterinary Officers in their examination of stock. Doubtless it
would be better if more time could be allowed for the professional examination; but con-
sidering the time given, I can state that the Veterinary Officers do perform their duties as
satisfactorily as possible. With regard to Captain Westlake having drawn attention to the
unsoundness of a gelding offered for sale, and which had just taken the first prize in the
class geldings, I have to quote the following rule :—" The prizes allotted to the gelding
class are to be invariably awarded to the best competing." The fact of a gelding having
obtained the first or any other prize does not necessarily prove the animal to be sound.
Indeed, the rule quoted has been adopted because many geldings competing are unsound, and
at this fair the judges remarked that the 4-year old geldings exhibited were "wretchedly
bad." From enquiry I have ascertained that the gelding alluded to as having taken the
first prize was a very good looking and showy horse, but had curbs.
I feel assured that the Judging Committee at this Nauchandi fair performed their
duties with zeal and to the best of their ability, and gave their verdict in accordance with
the rules laid down by Government. Doubtless the duties of a Judging Committee are
onerous, and require men possessing a sound knowledge of horse stock. Judges at horse
shows in England and on the continent of Europe do not always obtain the approval
of the public by their awards.