Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1916-12-28
The Test of the Thoroughbred

As we look at each separate breed OF
livestock we look at individuals that
have been developed to perform some
special function. The different breeds OF
cattle specialize in the production OF
milk or meat With the different breeds
Of horses we see individuals that are bred
for slow draft, draft, speed in the har-
nrss or under the saddle, ease under the
saddle at the expense ofpart OF the speed
and so on through the list until each
breed is seen to have some distinct field
OF usefulness.
During the development OF the differ
ent breeds of stock the breeding individ-
uals of the breed are put to various tests
to prove their ability to fulfill their spe-
cial missions in life. The dairy breeds
of cattle are subjected to milk and
butter-fat tests. The beef breeds are
shown, fatted and dressed out. The draft
breeds of horses are shown in the ring
where size, quality, soundness and action
are considered and then their grade pro-
geny is further tested in the hard show
ring of actual work. The saddles are
shown where speed, accuracy OF gait,
conformation and good looks are all taken
into consideration. The Standard breed
is shown in the harness.
So through the various breeds again we
see the ability to perform certain work
is required. With the thoroughbred
horse we have breed that is used to in
crease in its grades The power of endu-
rance, to increase the ability to stand
up under the service strain of work at
high tension; to pass on to its progeny
that which horsemen term gameness and
quality. To be able to do this the
thoroughbred, itself, must possess size,
substance, conformation and the inherent
quality OF endurance. The test that tie
thoroughbred is put to prove his worth
is the running race. In the race he has
the chance to show the ability to move
fast, the ability to stand up under
strain, endurance and the gameness that
makes him slayer in the face of defeat.
AS cash prizes are put up in the show
ring for cattle and the various breeds Of
stock so prizes in the form of stake
money have been put up for those that
can prove their value in the test of the
worth of the breed. As the prizes in
crease in value according to the size Of
the show and the class OF animals that
will be met with in competition with
other breeds, so the stake money varies
in size according to the company that
will be met. AS crooked work is some
times practised in the cattle show ring or
in the rings of the various breeds of stock
so crooked work is sometimes practised
in the race course, the proving ground of
the thoroughbred.
The average stockman wonders how the
fanciers of the thoroughbred can afford
to pay the almost fabulous prices, that
are reported, for the best individuals Of
the breed. The basis for the prices lies
in the fact that the animal has proven
his worth in the test and is able to pass
it on to his, or her, progeny. A study OF
some of the great thoroughbred sires to-
gether with their progeny will show
wherein lay the high value at time of
purchase and will show why the thoro
bred breeder can afford to raise few
slow colts in the course of the production
and development OF fast one.
Up to the first of November of this
year probably the greatest thoroughbred
was conceded to be the chestnut stallion
Star Shoot, owned by John E. Madden.
SO far in his life (Star Shoot is now lS
years old) he has produced Sc horses
that have been money winners. These
80 colts collectively have. won 1924, 432
in cash money in addition to various
plate and prize cups. The leading five
offspring of Star Shoot, from the stand
of proven worth at the test, are Straight
Forward with winnings amounting to
5000, Ivory Black winning $500.