The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-22
Visit to Chesterfield.

Visit to Chesterfield.
 It was just before the act in which "Chesterfeld' was shown In his beau- tiful poses that made his acquaintance. He was standing at the rear entrance to the theatre and stripped of all his gala accoutrements, but even so was a dainty and beautiful animal, with his snow white coat and soft gray eyes. He has been in Birmingham about two weeks awaiting the coming of the company with whom his act was to be given at the Ma jestic theatre. His owner, Madame Rosa Royle, exhibits him. As she appeared last on the programme there was time for a pleasant chat in her bright little dress ing room and she told something of the history of her treasure. Chesterfield she shortens it, calling him Chester" as a diminutive-is only seven years old and of distinguished ancestry, his fathers having been bred in Arabia. He sug- gests the horses of that strain in his graceful, alert body, and sensitive, high : strung manner. Madame Royle pur- chased him in New Orleans when he was a mere baby and has trained him from that time until now. She is considered one of the most capable women in the profession and said yesterday that she has known nothing else but to train and live among them. MT. Pollard of this city, who is familiar with the trainers over the country, says that she is one of the brightest horsewomen he has ever known. He spoke of her training stables in Baraboo, Wis, which 1t will be recalled is the winter home of one of the large circuses. These, he said. are perfect, and constructed to accommodate 20 horses. He recalled particularly cart horse which she showed a few years ago, and which was regarded at the time as one of the greatest of his type in the world q think Chesterfield is the greatest posing horse in America" said MT. Pollard.
 As Mrs. Royle talks of Chesterfield's disposition and peculiarities; his whims, / and the feeling of responsibility that governs him until he knows his act Is over one feels that he is almost a hu- man being. His groom, Bobby, is with him constantly" she said. He sleeps in the stable with him, even, and one may find them in the morning, Chesters head resting close against Bobby. When Chester's breakfast time comes he doesn't hesitate to wake Bobby, pulling the cov- CTS off very consistently. A short time ago we had him at stable where the custom is to feed the horses at 12 o'clock at night. When he heard the other ami mals, he insisted upon having his own food so that Bobby, indignant, but amused. too, had to get up and feed him. He has the watch dogs characteristics to a degree. One doesn't dare enter his stall at night, for he seems to feel 1t his duty to protect his companion and will bite in a moment"
 Chesterfield seemed very Impatient while awaiting his act. The groom was stand ing beside him in the alley back of the theatre while he tossed his head anS started occasionally toward the entrance. One felt that he must really love applause and long to face his audience. I spoke . of that and Mrs. Royle said: He always likes to get it over. Yes: I think he does enjoy it very much. So often people fail to applaud the tricks of high school horse. fancy either because of their fear of startling him or because in their breathless interest in what is to come feAL tlCy loi6ot- put d nOTSe lOVeS It, you may be sure. Indeed, Chester is more like folks I think. than he is like horse So often people are under a false impression as to his age. He is only seven, but have been training him all his life, and have shown him just three years"
 q have heard conjectures as to whether you use anything to white his coat" To Is cn xt<- one naturally suspects it."
 "Oh, mo-" she answered Come and IooK at his skin. It is pink. Compare that with other white horses, and you will see the reason why there Is usually a yellow cast. We do put alabaster on his hoofs, because they look rather yell low and detract from his statuesque beauty on the stage"
 As I stroked his soft hair he snusgIed