Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-28
GATHERED BY THE wAYs1DE

suit the riders pleasure. She gave
him little time to conjure up mischief.
but gave him free rein at tho start,
and an occasional remembrance from
her whip: she brought him 40 far under
the first round that he was contented
to drop down for few moments to q
trot. from which at the will of his
mistress he rose to canter. then to
lively charge, and thence to his
prettiest tricks which were fearfully
swift. but which evidently suited him.
self and his fearless rider. as well as
the whole crowd great deal better
than anything else. A long, loud shout
greeted the daring little equestrian as
she completed her last round and
wheeled with the rapidity of lightning
from the course"
Regarding the one to whom tho prize
of the gold watch was awarded this
was said:
Pink ribbon. Miss Turner OF Leo
county. An easy, self possessed and
graceful rider. She was finely mounted
and showed consummate skill In the
management OF her horse. striking any
gait at pleasure. The first round set
everybody to thinking and admirng
and each succeeding one only added
the interest which Its predecessor had
excited. Her elegant form. fine face
and soft blue eyes also rather seemed
TO heighten the effect than otherwise"
In conclusion, General Morgan apol-
ogized for the award OF the gold watch
by adding after a reference to the rails
ing OF the purse for Miss Hodges, the
following:
I'VE. too. were spellbound and over
whelmed at the daring exhibition of
the little favorite. and even went so
far as to give her the benefit OF one
ballot, but the sober second thought
teaches us. as it must ALL that If we
would encourage tastful. correct and
ladylike school OF equestranism. such
as We should be willing our misses and
daughters should initiate the decision
of the committee was based upon cor
rect grounds The awarding of the
prize, therefore, took nothing from the
glory of the little girl, and everyone
Will rejoice to learn that she has been
generously. kindly and beautifully pro-
vlded for. Long may she live to merit
the applause of her friends: the daugh-
ter of the people. may she ever prove
worthy of her benefactors."
The excitement and controversy of
the first riding contest of this kind did
not put stop to the matter at all for
the agricultural society the next year
offered several premiums In the riding
match. There were seventeen ladies
who entered in October 1856. and Miss
Hodges and Miss Turner were both In
the lists, but neither obtained a prize.
The first prize went to Miss Ellen
Whitcomh OF Wapello county, who re-
ceived lady's saddle. bridge and mar
tingale as her premium. Miss Kate h.
Pope OF Henry county received second
prize, a silver mounted riding whip.
Mrs. l.. T.. Slater OF Wapello received
an elegant gold thimble. Nothing is
on record to show what was the extent
of tho enthusiasm and interest.
The third Iowa state fair was held In
Muscatine on the island in the Missis-
sippi river There were only 1--WE reg
ular entries In the ladies' equestrian
ism class none Of the previous winners
appearing. The 10-year-old girl from
Iowa City also appeared. tho not AZ a
contestant, on pacing pony The
premiums went to Miss Pease, Of Oska-
loosa Mrs. Wheeler OF Iowa CITY and
Miss Belle Brown OF Jefferson. IL was
regarding this event that the editor
OF the Northwest Farmer wrote that
which Is quoted at the head OF this
article. But Secretary j. NJ Shafrer.
the real founder Of the state fairs. in
his report gave the death blow to lady
riding exhibitions at the state fairs as
follows:
During the past season, many and
grievous charges have been brought
against the managers of the different
state fairs on account Of one part or
the exhibition swallowing up the bal
ance. 1t Is not because our last rair
can be placed in that catalog, but It
Is because such evils have, and, in the
nature of things, do still exist, that
these thoughts are submitted, that we
may guard against them. At the Iowa
state fair in 1854, the lady equestrian
ism appeared to eclipse all other inter-
ests. The various reviews Of the fair,
as they appeared in the public press,
generally commenced and ended with
the performance OF the ladies. The
only agricultural paper then published
in the state. devoted nine columns to
description of this first great gath
ering of the farmers Of Iowa., six of
which were appropriated to the rid
ing match. Even the remarks OF the
committee to the fair contestants were
deemed of sufficient Importance to APP
pear In full. Three columns to the
horses, cattle. crops and machinery of
the state. and six to the sweet faces
and beautiful riding caps OF some
dozen ladies'.
I'm 1855. the excitement was not so
or n "a -,
occupy so prominent places MS il did
the year before. either In the exhibit
ton, or in the reviews Of tia press.
At the last fair it had it's allotted
time. occupied that time, and inter
fered with nothing else. particularly.
On this whole question Of lady cques-
trianism. the writer wonI not intlitc
q single ill-natured remark, or wound
the feelings Of any person who ever p
peared as contestant: but with due
Difference to the opinions OF all those
who have looked upon this as ono OF
the most agreeable features OF our an
nual exhibitions. permit him briefly to
consider the reasons for opposing such
exhibitions. and then give the decis-
ions of the 'authorities' on the cues
ton under consideration. Two reasons
are urged for offering premiums on
lady horsemanship at our agricultural
viz: that it Is healthful
and agreeable exercise, and that it puts
funds into tho treasury Of tho society.
In reply. we will most cheerfully adj
NIT both propositions. Visit any OF
our cities or rural districts. aud how
many ladies will you see on horseback?
Probably not one In year. unless Il
may DO some Of our town ladies, who