Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-12-17
Speedway Carnival.

The formal opening of the new speedway
yesterday afternoon proved to be success
beyond the widest hopes of the men who
framed the scheme in point of attendance
and in point of highclass horsehesh and
general equipment
As good judge of crowds as General
Clarence R. Edwards. who has had expert
ence in such matters on two continents.
estimated the attendance to be between
$4,000 and 10000. Col. S. 7. Everett. OF
Cleveland, Ohio, who has also had large
experience with large audiences. consider
ed the generals estimate as being ex-
tremely conservative.
All sections of the city were literally
represented. The West End shook hands
with the East End for the nonce Mount
Pleasant gave the glad hand to the South
End, and every end of the city was glad
it was there and dubbed over with enthu-
siasm as the events of the day progressed.
President Taft and the greater part OF
his cabinet were on the grounds in the
course of the afternoon. The President
was enthusiastically received wherever his
car carried him. To Gen. Edwards he ex-
pressed himself as being highly entertained
by what he had seen. and also said that
he was gratified at the success the Drivers
and Riders Association had scored in its first
attempt to restore to popularity the most
valuable servant of man-the horse.
As for the spectators gathered on the
grounds, they came from all sections of the
United States From the judges stand
the spectacle presented was inspiring
From B street, on the north, to the bend Of
the course, on the south. there were deeply
banked on either side of the track a vast
mass of wagons and machines while the
men and women on foot reached far into
the thousands.
Several thousand persons we're massed
about the show ring the entire afternoon
in fact, they did not depart until the
last horse had passed under the eyes of
the Judges. Some of the best jumpers in
the country were exhibited, while the
heavy harness classes equaled, so compe-
tent judges said, any they had seen in
cities much larger than Washington Every
class of horse was represented, except the
heavy draft. and when the May horse show
is framed up that useful class of horse will
also have his innings Incidently, it may
be stated that semi-annual horse show
will be permanent feature, yesterday s
results having decided the association to
that effect.
The saddle horse class was one of the
strongest features of the show. Thousands
of dollars are invested in Washington in
superior saddle animals for park use alone
The runa bout classes. whether for road OF
other light use, were also of high char
acter. The double-team class. while small
in numbers, ranked exceedingly high
Driving to pole-that is. in light harness
has fallen into disuse in all the cities Of
the country of late years.
The speed events also had their vOtaries
Few of the lovers of speed contests left
their carriages to watch the show ring
events. They could be seen craning theiI
necks toward the head of the stretch to
catch the first appearance Of the horses as
they rounded the bend at the upper end Of
the track, and the cry of here they come
swelled into mighty volume Of sound az
the horses, with flaming and distended
nostris. their drivers teaming them like
demons, neared the wire. Washington Sta,
| Of Sunday last.