EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV 259 



few imported horses appeared it! was distinctly a display of American- 

 bred animals. Surprise on all sides was expressed because of the very 

 good and well-g-rown young- stallions brought out. Dealers undoubtedly 

 scouted the breeding sections of America very thoroughly to find so many. 

 As the prizelist indicates, there was a large representation of new and 

 little-known breeders who had the courage to fit and show the likely- 

 looking animals they had raised. 



Several large operators who formerly imported most of the Percherons 

 stated that they could readily find in this country as many as their trade 

 requires if farmers would only feed more liberally. Most of their search 

 is necessary merely to find sufficient size. There are plenty of good little 

 ones tared from large enough percentage. This indicates what a good 

 market is missed by those who argue that one cannot afford to throw 

 high-priced grain into colts, especially when they are running on pas- 

 ture. Prices mentioned were twice as high for the big yearlings and two- 

 year-olds as for the smaller ones of similar make-\ip. The corn crib 

 cross is thus a 50-50 affair with high-priced foundation breeding animals. 

 The corn can be figured in as high as tlie market goes and still it will 

 pay out. 



Some of the stallions were shown just as big as they have ever been 

 grown even in France. Two-year-olds weighed a ton and more. There 

 was extraordinarily fine quality of bone and correct setting of legs, tak- 

 ing the breed as a whole. In some instances the need of larger bone was 

 plain but that is always true when quality is outstanding. Rarely are 

 the largest of bone and the finest fiber done up in the same package. 



High-priced feed, scarcity of capable grooms and the abundance of 

 buyers for the very best horses were all named as reasons why various 

 exhibitors either remained at home altogether or else showd a smaller 

 number than usual. The chronic cry was the impossibility of finding 

 men who know how to fit and handle horses. 



The judging was capably done by A. L. Robison, Jr., Pekin, 111., for 

 the third year in succession. He piclced the big serviceable stylish pat- 

 tern with legs of the very best sort, and stuck right to it consistently. 

 The line-up in class after class was instructive for the breeder. Numbers 

 considered, the worlj went rapidly. 



THE STALLIONS.. 



Twenty-three, aged stallions proved something of a surprise to tliose 

 who have loudly regretted the cessation of importations. American-breds 

 stood one, two, three. The black Philix has kept in obscurity until six 

 years old and his initial presentation by the Singmasters at the head 

 of this line-up gives promise of great things in future. He won the 

 championship. He is a horse of balanced build, extraordinary bone an 1 

 tremendously powerful hocks, and he has the style, character, quality and 

 step of a real show horse and prepotent sire. He has to be a good one 

 to beat the light-spotted dark gray Ivan which led the three-year-old class 

 at the last International and was brought back in good condition. Much 

 praise was accorded the well-preserved tight-made black Jour shown as 

 fit as a fiddle by "Wm. Crownover. Although eight years old, this vigor- 

 ous horsal has the hardest of legs and a finish of form and a style of 

 bearing which stamp him as a wonderful horse for his size. He looked 

 right in third place, even though It requires a really high-class horse to 

 stand in front of Trumans' thick-muscled big-boned finely-tempered 

 black four-year-old imported Naif. 



Three-year-olds numbered only seven. Among them were candidates to 

 try the strength of Singmaster's famous light gray Keota Jalap, a re- 

 peated and consistent winner. This colt has not developed as much as 

 some colts during the past year, yet he s-^emed clearly entitled to con- 

 tinued decoration with the blue ribbon. His sloping shoulder, straight 

 back, level croup and fine quality are as distinctive as ever. The black 

 Dunham's Champion, is larger, more burly of build and withal possessing 



