Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-08-14
Written for the Herald.l
Female EquestrianshiP i'm Cali
fornfa.

At the conclusion of the races on the
State Fair grounds at Sacramento, la
dies tournament was advertised to come
off on the afternoon of Saturday, July
5th,-eleven contestants entering for
prizes previously announced, eleven
Judges having been appointed to make
the award of the same, according to the
merit of each, respectively. The con-
testants were Miss Hattie E. May of
Contra Costa, Miss Lydia Moray of
Stockton, Miss Elsie Babcock of Florin,
Miss Rosa Kadel of FreepOrt, Miss Hat
tie Sprague, Miss Nellie Bailey, and Miss
Mary A Mahoney, of Sacramento, Mrs.
James A. LOvcn, Mrs. O. NJ. Hunt of
Washington, and Misses Anna L.
Mcconnell and Mary A. Mcconnell,
daughters of Mrs. Thomas Mcconnell of
Costumes. 1t will be recollected by
some that the two last-named misses
spent several weeks with their parents
on a visit to their friends in Rutland
during the summer of 1872. Mr.. Hay
mOnd, from the committee, addressed
the ladies briefly, saying they were to
ride all abreast, first down the quarter
stretch, then in sections, then in coup
les, as called, They might make the
circuit of the track, and use such speed
as they wished. but speed would not en-
ter into the judgment in awarding the
prizes, but graceful h0rSenaansbip, man
agement of the animal, self-possession
and general skill with saddle and rein
would be the basis of judgment.
The ladies rode as suggested by the
Judge. The first section of five which
rode out made a break for the mile
stretch, and as the spectators saw what
was coming they cheered them on, and
away they went well together around
the course. Hats flew off, skirts snapped
like whips, nicely arranged headdresses
went to ruin, but on went the riders,
plying whip and spur. At the half mile
pole they were still in a bunch at the
three-qarter pole they began to string
out, and one took distance there and
stopped. On came the others at a terrific
pace down the home stretch, passing the
score in the widest excitement, and
amidst the shouts of the people. 1t was
one of the most daring and reckless i'm
promtu races we have ever seen, and
not few were in constant fear of some
terrible accident AS the ladies rode by
in couples, in line, in sections; as they
walked their horses, trotted, cantered,
turned, swung, and exhibited skill in
rein, whip, and saddle they were loudly
applauded by the people.
AT the conclusion the prizes were
awarded as follows:
First prize to Anna L. Mcconnell,
aged fifteen; a splendid silver tea-set,
six pieces and salyer, value 1925.
Second prize to Lydia Moray splen-
did silver tea-set, six pieces, value $40.
Third prize to Hattie E. May splen-
did gold watch, value 300.
Fourth prize to Elsie Babcock mag
nificent saddle, bride and whip, value
800.
Fifth prize to Nellie Bailey a beauti-
full black llama lace shawl, value $75.
Sixth prize to Mary A. Mahoney n
beautiful black point lace parasol; value
$50.
Seventh prize to Rosa Kadel a splen-
did silver pitcher and opera glass, value
$40.
Eighth prize to Mrs. E. NJ. Hunt
splendid silver pitcher, value $3.50.
Ninth prize to Mary A. Mcconnell,
aged thirteen years; splendid silver
fruit dish and opera-glass, value $35
Special prizes of the same value as the
ninth were awarded also to Mrs. LOven
and Miss Sprague.