Evening star., 1918-04-07
NATIONAL SERVICE
FOR HORSE SHOW
To Increase Supply of Thor
oughbred Animals Part of
Definite Program.
WILL MEET APRIL 1927


When the National Capital Horse
Show, Military and Amateur Racing
Association dedicates it's official home
at Arlington park, near the south end
Of Highway bridge, with combined
horse show and race meeting, April
1927, it will enter upon definite
program for rendering a national sery-
ice-that of increasing the country's
supply of thoroughbred horses.
OF immediate benefit will be the as
sociation's donation of the net proceeds
Of the show to the Red Cross. but OF
greater value to the nation ultimately
viii be its services in bringing together
exhibitors and government representa-
tires for an exchange of ideas that
should stimulate the breeding OF an
Of army mounts.
To Make Up for War Losses.
Back of this plan to replenish Amer
tcan thoroughbred stock, SO heavily
drawn upon by the allies during the
first years of the war that the United
States now faces a lack of horses for
Its war needs are prominent govern
ment and Army officials. the Jockey
Club of America and the National Hunt
and Steeplechase Association.
jiagtonians, the association Is an en-
of the old National Capital
Horse Show, which conducted eight
spring exhibitions at the former show
igrounds at 18th and streets north
west. The earliest efforts of the first
Organization were directed toward de-
lveloping interest in horses of mill
ltary types. Special classes were ar
ranged for officers mounts and horses
suitable to become chargers. Thou
sands Of dollars were distributed IN
purses and plate. The Department OF
Agriculture, recognizing the value to
the government of these special
eassss took %Gyns b,nn bava esso
hibited IN the principal horse-breeding
sections Of the country.
When the United States e1tered the
war the association realised that its
increased to an tncalculable degree. Its
Arst decision was to acquire q larger
plant where facilities for racing as well
| as horse show competitions could be
more than the jumping contests would
| attract owners and encourage the
breeding OF horses possessed OF stamina
| and the other qualities particularly
| fitting them for military service.
New Plant Comprises as Acres.
The site selected for the new plant
comprises about twenty-five aeres, and
affords 3 commanding and picturesque
| view of the National Capital It is
| equipped with q half-mile circular track
| and a auarter-mile chute; q steepie-
chase course surrounding the circular
course. . show ring Immediately in
front Of the grandstand. but separated
tor $50 horses. paddeei and sasis other .oon spa
purtenances making Il the most COM
plete amateur establishment of the kind
| in the country.
Directing the new organization are
practically the same oficials who guild
l ed the destfnies of its predecessor.
Among its members may be found such
| representatives of Uncle Sans fight
Ing forces as Gen. Leonard Wood of
Of the Navy. while both the Senate and
House Of Representatives and various
| branches OF the government are rep
resented: The association Is headed by
retired Army officer, Gen. James A.
6uehanan. and is managed by Melvin
G Hasen. surveyor Of the District Of
Columbia, one of the charter members
OF the original organisation.
No sther association Of its kind in
tne United States possesses such op-
Pefeuntttes for promoting the breed
Ing OF thoreughbreds, 1t Is believed.
Because Washington is situated be-
tween two great horse breeding sec
tions and is the seat of the national
government, it is the logical place.
claim the association officials for ex-
hibttors and Army men to meet in an
endeavor to develop the best possible
types of military horses.
Expects Aid From Congress.
The association hopes to obtain an
preparations from Congress for the va
rious military classes, especially breed
ers' classes, which should 70 far in
arousing owners to realization Of the
Iace that the government faces a seri-
Gus shortage of horses, which will be-
come stu more acute unless concerted
enort ls made to increase the supply.
the program for the Arlington meet
ing provides for sixty-fiye horse show
events and fifteen races. Breeders' and
conformation classes and hunting
events are listed specially for military
noTses, while army mounts also will
Dc aligible to compete in the fat races
ana eteepiechases. The latter contests
VIII oe over two-mile course. In
| fase. many Of the fat races are at a
mie OF better. These distance events
were decided upon because it is the
aim of the association to encourage the
development of staying qualities in
horses. Liberal purses, with the fat
races paying $3.50, have been offered
Tor the eighty horse show and racing
numbers scheduled for the fiye-day
meet: Numerous cups will be donated
and the total value Of plate and purses
VIII De In excess Of $1,000.