Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-09-08
AN EXPENSIVE TURNOUT.
Coach-and-Four for Competition in
the Horse Show Costs Small
Fortune.

The cost of getting a four-in-hand in
presentable condition for horse show
would surprise most persons except
those who have to pay the bills, says
the New York Times. The total runs
far into the thousands. Judges are very
strict with regard to appointments The
economist may enter, if he chooses,
and make an appearance that will graf
ify himself and his friends. But he
stands little or no chance of a prize.
The man who would win must spend
money.
A horse show veteran recently de-
clared that it is timidity, not economy,
that keeps so many of New York crack
gentlemen drivers from the ring
man who shows remarkable skill in
handling team or tandem either on
the speedway or over the tanbark, finds
himself hopelessly inefficient when he
undertakes to drive four-in-hand. To
a remarkable degree the handling o1
good, spirited fours requires frmness
and steadiness of hand, quickness OF
thought, rapid decision and unlimited
nerve.
A good whip never reaches the stand
ard of excellence until he can guide HE
team mile upon mile over country road
with perfect unconcern, chatting with
a vivacious woman at his side When
he reaches that state of perfection he
may venture into the horse SHOW
classes. Then he must begin to look
after his appointments as well as his
Craftsmanship. There is no chance
whatever for a first second or even a
third prize unless both horses and coach
are of the greatest excellence.
The best coach made in New York
costs from $1,000 to $4,000. A margin
of $1,000 is not very large for a coach.
In fittings and furnishings that sum of
money can be put where none but the
experienced eye will see it. The English
and French manufacturers, it is said, can
turn out as good coach at a somewhat
smaller cost, but the expense of bring
ing it over makes the total about the
same. A set of smart, plated harness
costs from $1,000 to $1,000 There is no
use attempting to impress horse show
judges with anything new in this line
The standards are already fixed. Com
petitors are required to do no more than
meet them
Five aprons are required for coach.
They cost S125 each Driving blankets
must be of the finest boxcloth, and
deliberately embroidered They cost
$3.50 apiece. Each of the four horses
must have his own blankets, which ara
also deliberately embroidered. They
cost SIPS each A good whip costs from
SIG to $18. Every well-appointed coach
has at least three of them. Each coach
has two Iiveried men Their liveries
must be made up by an expensive tailor.
Perfect fit and style are essential. With
their boots, long overcoats and tall hats,
these will easily average $3.50 to each
man.
approximately each of the four horses
will cost $1,000, though as a matter Of
fact it is difficult to estimate the exact
cost of getting together a good four. II
a man wants horse badly he is willing
to pay an exorbitant price for it. The
majority of coach horses exhibited at
the New York horse show cost three or
four times that sum-for instance, Mrs
Thomas Lawson's $29, 600 four-in-hand,
Red Cloud, Thunder Cloud, Whirling
Cloud and Flying Cloud.
While the cost of horses is constantly
decreasing, good coach horses are ex
tremely difficult to find. 1t is quite pos
s1ble to get together fairly good driv-
ing four for $4,000, but they would stand
no chance at all in the horse show
A good coach, frequently driven, re-
quires six horses, although, of course.
only four can be driven at one time
Two teams cannot be depended upon. A
man who is ambitious to keep a good
stable wants six horses, if not more.
With the best of care, one or two horses
are pretty sure to be out of condition.
Then there is the cost of keeping. Two
men, at least, are required, one to keep
the coach in good running order ami
another to look after the horses. AS q
general thing they want stable boy to
help them The wages of these men aver
age from $50 to $120 month. About $7F
Is the average for a good man.