Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-14

The twenty-sixth annual national
horse show will be held in Madison
Square Garden, New York. this week.
With prizes Of money and plate valued
at more than $4,000. and with the fash
ions of the day lending themselves to the
picturesque adornment OF the social
leaders of America, it bids fair to set
new high-water mark as social and
equine event Of international Importance
Alfred G. Vanderbilt, a sincere lover OF
horse aristocracy, is for the second time
at the head of the Horse Show Associa-
ton. and the plans which he has an
nounced for the week have filled every
one with expectation. Last year the
opening night of the horse show was
somewhat marred on account of the rival
attraction of the opening of the New
Theater, which attracted the same coterie
which would, under ordinary cfrcum-
stances, have occupied the boxes at the
Madison Square Garden social event
This year the show opened on Saturday
night, preliminary to the brilliant events
of tonight and the remainder Of the
week.
Hundreds of the finest horses in
America and England will be put through
their PAGES in the enormous ring OF
Madison Square Garden this week For
several months outdoor horse shows have
been held in every section of the country
and the prize winners of the various
states and cities have been groomed for
the supreme event in the equine world
of America. Horse lovers from California.
Texas. Georgia, Oregon and Montana
have sent the prides of their stables to
New York in the hope of snatching a
blue bow from the colors of the men
and women whose strings OF ribbon
bearers are known throughout the world.
In many cases the owners will ride their
own mounts into the arena, or hold the
ribbons over their backs as the trim
beauties caper and cavort before the
austere judges, who will weigh each point
of excellence with far more discretion
than did that ancient Judge Of feminine
beauty who caused the cataclysm of the
Trojan war. -
The show opened this year with an
event which last year was reserved as
the piece de re-
Four-in-H Hand Race sistance for the
Opening Event. race race OF four.in-
hands, drawing a coach with seven pas
sengers. The course is from Arrowhead
Inn, at 177th street, to Madison Square
Garden, a distance Of nine and a half
miles The OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES cup
which is offered as a prize was won last
year by President Vanderbilt In thirty
eight minutes, which was three minutes
better than the record made the year be-
fore by Morris E. Hewlett.
Following the precedent set last year,
the first of Mr. Vanderhilt's presidency,
et.> vpn& -.
toned off in public, but were disposed OF
at private sale, as were the seats at the
back of the boxes. This, however, does
not account for the fact that there will be
more persons admitted to the great am
phitheater on passes this year than Tor
any previous show. The directors have
decided to issue invitations to all the or
phan asylums in New York city so that
the children may revel in a vast circus
arranged for millionaires.
uine circus, with all the adjuncts OF mu-
sic, high jumping, glittering costumes and
enthusiastic crowds. The band this year
is the famous Gait Kilties Of Canada,
fish tunics and dark plaid kits, will give
a very pleasing dash Of color, to be sup
plemented by the ring attendants in scar
let Jackets and white duck trousers, the
scarlet having last season replaced the
yellow Of previous Yeas.
s.
Probably the most attractive single fea-
ture of the show will be the contest for
honors by the
Cavalrymen Of Nations British, Dutch.
Compete for Honors. dian and
United States cavalry officers. who will
put their mounts through all sorts of
difficult maneuvers. especially high and
broad jumps. These officers will. OF
course, be in uniform, and will give a
pleasing military tone to the big pageant.
Last year the spectacular event Of the
week was the great parade. on the final
night of the magnificent draught horses.
working four to truck. Here the mag
nificent Percherons, Belgians and other
huge beasts of burden were seen in splen-
did array and the arena was transformed
into a giant ring Of elephantine creatures
whose power and symmetry brought cheer
after cheer from the assembled thou
sands.
Following the custom of years, the pro-
gram has been so arranged that during
the morning hours the breeding classes
will occupy the attention of the judges
and the eliminating trials for jumpers
will be held. The afternoons. will be de-
voted to the harness classes. and the
evenings, of course, to the more snowy
classes.
While the horse show has degenerated
into q mere fashion show in the eyes of
many, to the horseman 1t still retains its
unitarian value, and fosters the breeding
of higher grade horses in America. The
object of the show. primarily is to bring
together the best horses Of each type
and familiarize the breeders and the pub
lie with the finest points in every class.
The prizes which are offered seldom are
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