The Washington herald., 1911-05-08

In a perfect avalanche of ap
plause and congratulations for the
unprecedented triumph scored dur,
ing the three days exhibitions, the
spring meet of the National Capita.
Horse Show came to a close late
yesterday afternoon. President
Taft, surrounded by exclusive
Washington society, seemed loatt
to leave the scene of brilliant equine
performances to the shades of night
More than 5000 persons, represent
ing the fashionable and gay sets OF
a dozen countries, including China,
witnessed the final entries.
PERFORMS FOR TAFT.
So entranced was President Taft with
the show that he asked as a special favor
to have Roustabout, the famous jumping
horse, sent over the hurdles as a final
tid-bit. The bars We're placed at feet 6
inches, And with his owner, Louis Leith,
of Warrenton, Va, in the saddle, the
handsome animal pranced into the field.
Most of the crowd had departed. The
President, in order to get a better view,
stood up in his box with Maj Archibald
Butt
Gripping himself firmly in the saddle.
Mr.. Leith, who rode at 1S5 pounds, started
on dead run for the fence (which had
been placed directly in front IL the Pres
ident's box. Roustabout acted badly in
his first attempt, swerved and threw Mr..
Leith violently against the wooden frame.
He suffered no hurt and mounted, after
whispering in his mounts delicate. point
ed ears. Evidently aware Of the emil
nence of the persons watching him.
Roustabout gathered himself in a ball
and with a magnificent leap cleared the
bars without a shadow of touch, light
ing on the opposite side in perfect form.
President Taft for the first time during
the long afternoons sensations and ex-
citement appiauded vigorously. Mr..
Leith was surrounded by prominent
horsemen. who congratulated him. 1t
was the first time such jump has been
made in this city. 1t was announced
Immediately following that Judge Will
lam H. Moore. of New York, had pur-
chased the famous jumper and presented
him, through Mai Gen. Leonard Wood,
Chief of Staff, to the United States army,
to be sent with other famous hunters to
the Olympia show in London next June
to compete with horses from European
governments.
Plays National Anthem.
The band struck up the national an
them while President Taft, with many
smiles and promises to attend next
year, left the grounds for the White
uye bent.
Financially and socially the show
was nothing but a huge success. In
point Of entries and class nothing south
of New York has ever excelled the ex-
hibitions as a whole 1t was announced
officially that enough money had been
cleared to pay so per cent Of the guar
antee fund and to allow enough residue
to finance the show next spring. The
management, including the army off,
GERS from Fort Myer, who entered many
fine animals, were pleased immeasur-
ably with the results. and made it plain
that. with the coming year. many i'm
provements would be made, and WASH
ington would have right to be proud
of its annual horse show
There was so many features yesterday
that II would be almost impossible to
pick any single event as the best. In
the first place nothing but brilliant would
be a fit word to apply to the audience
Persons known the length and breadth
Of America were In the f1ower-lined boxes.
In Secretary of War Dickinson's box were
the ladies of the Chinese Embassy, the
first time they have ever attended a horse
show, and enthusiasm was seen on their
smiling faces. Diplomats and ambassa-
dors. social queens and bellies cheered
and clapped necessarily. and promenaded
up and down the inclosure. Horsefesh
claimed worship, and worship was given
unstintedly and deservedly
Great Sport Furnished.
Horses owned by local owners were
given most prominence yesterday, and in
each case great sport was furnished.
ters and magnificent roadsters jumped
and cantered around the big tan bark
ring in fashionable style. Perfect in ap-
pointment and conformation. the crowds
were quick to appreciate and make
known their appreciation.
Glass No. "a. judging nineteen local
proved to be a slight disappoint-
ment. The animals were not well
for the most part and acted
badly, refusing In many Instances to
take the four-foot jumps. Mai. Henry
r. Aliens Yellowstone Regent, ridden by
Miss Grace Allen. captured first prize,
80. Miss Allen proved to be finished
and her mount made q
clean score. William F. Hit. on Elf
King, took second prize in a pretty bit
of jumping, touching the bars only once.
A silver cup, presented by the WASH
lngton Chamber of Commerce. was
awarded Miss Allen. Lieut. Adna r.
Chaffee, who was thrown Friday by
Poppy. rode him to fourth place in this
event.
E. B. McLsan's Indian Flower was an
easy. winner In the class judging cham
saddle horses. Ridden by Miss
Ellen Rasmussen. OF Brooklyn, who ID
without peer on horseback. Indian
Flower showed up In great form. taking
the hurdles cleanly and with ease. Con-
hdante, owned by Julian Morris, earned
second prize. although popular acclaim