Weekly Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1919-1920, 1919-10-15
HORSES ON 300
Mile TEST TO
STOP Off HERE
Nineteen Starters in Not
able Contest to Start from
Fl. Ethan Allen Tuesday

Nineteen contestants in three
hundred mile endurance test for hors-
es under cavalry conditions will pass
through Danville, st. Johnsbury and
down the Connecticut Valley towns
TO the south of here on Wednesday
night and Thursday IN one of the
most interesting tests for horses that
has been made in this country. The
start is from Fort Ethan Allen on
Tuesday and the finish is ut the
rcmount station at Camp Deven1.
The contestants who remain in the
running on Wednesday will pass the
night at the Caledonia County Fair
grounds leaving Thursday morning
on the south trip.
The competition is for the purpose
of stimulating interest in the breed
ing OF cavalry mounts throughout
the United States and to determine
the performance of different types of
horses under the severe conditions of
forced march.
This trial has the approval Of the
chief of the Bureau of Animal Indus
try, Department of Agriculture, and
of the Remount Board at Washing
ton, and prizes have been offered by
w. II. Brown of Berlin, N. H., pres
| ident of the Arabian Horse Club of
America, and Albert w. Harris of
Chicago, horseman and member of
the Arabian Horse Club. Both of
these enthusiastic supporters of the
Arabian have made entries in the
contest. .
1t is expected that this test, de-
signed as long and exacting trial
for mature horses under the most hu-
name conditions, will develop into an
annual affair. There have been nu-
merous long distance endurance con-
tests in various countries at differ
ent times, while stories and traditions
of phenomenal performances OF
individual horses are almost innum-
cradle. But there has been in the
last no continuity of these tests,
from which satisfactory deductions
might be made and most questions
decided. Moreover, not few of
these trials have been characterized
by cruelty to the mounts. What is
desired is a series of tests over L
considerable period, which will bring
out the in herent qualities of cour-
age, stamina, physical and mental
endurance of a. horse under heavy
weight.
| The conditions of this weeks tests
are designed to meet these require
ments and if continued from year to
year undoubtedly would prove of the
highest value in the effect on Amer
lean cavalry Of the future. As the
distance is approximately three hun
dred miles and the ride continues for
five days. contestants will travel at
the rate of about 60 miles a day.
Each horse will carry minimum of
200 pounds, inclusive of rider and
equipment, the latter being optional.
All contestants will follow the same
route and all horses will stop at APP
proximately the same place every
night. Each horse must be ridden,
and cared for solely by his rider, ex-
cept that farrier and veterinarian
will be in attendance for those who
desire their services. Riders must
continue in the saddle while the
horse is in motion over the course.
Each rider will continue through
with his horse, unless excused by the
Judges on account of illness or emer-
gency and if so excused the rider may
select his successor.
Contestants will be judged on con-
dition, speed and amount of feed con-
sumed.. Condition, which will count so
per cent in the table of points, will be
determined by an examination of the
horse at the close of the contest and
a subsequent examination the follow
ing morning, as follows: (a) Appear
ance of horse as to brightness of eye,
condition of coat, appetite, etc. (b'
Energy at the walk, trot, canter and
gallop. (c) Freedom from lameness,
soreness, stiffness, injury, etc.
Speed will be determined by the
shortest time elapsed rs the sum of
!; the time between the start and finish
each day within the time limits set.
The total elapsed time on the road,
each day, from departure in the
morning to arrival at night, inclu-
sive of time for feeds, or for any 9th
er cause, is not to be shorter than ten
hours, nor longer than Is hours. The
time of departure in the morning,
within certain hours, will be optional
with each rider.
Credit for the smallest amount of
feed consumed en- route will be de-
termined by weight. Permitted feed
will consist of hay, oats, corn and
bran, issued as desired. An account
will be kept of the number of pounds
Of feed consumed by each horse. No
feed other than this will be allowed
nor shall horses be fed elsewhere
than at the checking stations. Plain
water only is to be given and will be
permitted whenever and wherever
, obtainable.
Judges of the test will be Major
Henry Leonard of Washington, d
: c., Harry Worcester Smith of NORTH