The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-23

er and many times a ribbon winner,
was to appear in the finals. was an add
4 ed attraction for the spectacular event
of the big show.
| BY the knowing ones, Sure Pop was
regarded as a formidable contestant for
the ribbon in the event where horses
are called on to do something besides
look pretty and prance. After u few
| trials at various heights, the field mar
rowed to Chappie and Sure Pop. Chap
pie refused to take the bar twice, and
on his third attempt broke the rail at
| six feet, three inches. Sure Pop sailed
over the bar handily, and was awarded
! the ribbon. Afterward, Mr.. Smith had
the bar placed at six feet, six inches,
and the little horse cleared the rail
without a knock
Sure Pops performance is the more
remarkable when the size of the show
ring at Mechanics building is consid-
cred There is scarce room enough to
allow the jumper to reach his stride
for the take off, while the space at the
finish is narrow enough to nerve a morse
and break his courage. The same per-
Torrance at Madison square Garden
would be not by half so creditable.
| In the ladies' saddle horse classes,
SWeetbriar was a winner over large
fields of entries, for the third consecu-
tive time when she has been shown.
Sweetbriar is Mrs. Smiths saddle horse.
and is perhaps as thoroughly hammered
| for ladies riding as any horse that ever
looked through bride.
Harry w. Smith has an enYiable re-
putation as a horseman and judge OF
hunting qualities in horsefesh won by
series of marked successes in the
show ring and in the steeplechase. He
made his reputation with the famous
hunter, St. Rudolph, recognized as the
| finest hunter in America. St. Rudolph
was considered well nigh valueless I'M
til he fell into Mr.. Smiths hands. By
careful training and superb handling
st. Rudolph developed into bold, cou-
rageous, neryy fellow, ready and will
ling to do anything within his power
that was asked of him. He was game
to the core, and from the raw materi-
al Mr. Smith developed one OF the
most polished, thoroughly manered and
finest of all round hunters. In the fall
| of 1896 s. Rudolph won three steeple-
chases in four days against the best
hunters of the east. Among his win
nings was the masters cup of the Ge-
neseo hunt.
In the hunt st. Rudolph was recog-
nized as the finest horse that stood on
! iron. He could never be shown ad-
vantageously on the tanbark. however
He would not become reconciled to the
crowd and the glare of the electric
lights. In the early winter Of 1896, Mr.
Smith was asked to set price on St
Rudolph, by friend of the Duke OF
Marlboro, who desired to present him
to the groom Of Consuelo Vanderbilt
as the finest American hunter. Later
Mr.. Smith did price the horse at q
! figure never before paid for saddle
horse and which he supposed would
stagger the prospective purchaser
| The offer was accepted but Mr.. Smith
purchased the horse back at the firsi
opportunity. At the outbreak Of tbs
| Cuban war st. Rudolph passed from
Mr.. Smiths stable and is now owned II
| Philadelphia
Much of Harry Smiths success II
/ handling winners in the hunt and II
! the tan bark ring is due to his tho
/ rough knowledge of the horse as
horse coupled with his unique style o.
riding. His style is recognized as hii
own. In the hurdling events he appear
/ to the spectator to be a help rather thai
a burden to his mount, while his tho
rough knowledge Of all the finesse o.
riding makes him a master of the ar
| of easing his mount and getting th'
| utmost from him.