428 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



CLYDESDALES. 



Speaking of a clean, attractive standard exhibit of any breed, ttie 

 Clydesdales presented it here. It was almost uniformly a capital illustra- 

 tion of the excellencies to which breeders have bent their efforts for many 

 years. The Scotch foot and feather were in palpable evidence and in 

 addition form and substance took on approved draft horse standard. Num- 

 bers were sufRcient to give proof of continued interest in the breed, which 

 was accentuated by the very impressive displays of mares and fillies. 

 Clydesdale breeders have long prided themselves on the accuracy of action 

 which they have developed in their horses, and it was particularly appar- 

 ent in the contestants in this arena. Exhibitors had the benefit of the 

 services as judge of R. B. Ogilvie, secretary of the American Clydesdale 

 Association, Chicago, and the ratings were made with his accustomed 

 accuracy. 



It was a very impressive company of aged stallions and was headed 

 by the International winner. Baron Doune, a stallion of well-marked bal- 

 ance of parts from head to heels, and one which should prove of much 

 value in service. Prince Punctual, which has size and distinct masculine 

 character, and stands over a lot of ground in impressive draft horse fash- 

 ion, might have been higher in the running under other estimates, but 

 there were some points of strength in Ethelbert on which to hang the de- 

 cision as recorded. Baron Nisbet was somewhat wanting in condition, 

 else his rank would have been more prominent; he is one to wait for. 

 The three-year-olds were an excellent lot. Among the mares there was 

 much gayety and snap and ample draft form and power. Not in recent 

 years has the breed given so pleasing an exhibit in the female classes, 

 down to the foals. It afforded no little comfort to the Clydesdale con- 

 tingent to see so fetching a display of mares and fillies. 



A continuance of the exhibit of the quality-character displayed by the 

 Shires at this show will win great extension of favor for the breed. It is 

 to be hoped that we have done with the importation of the post-legged 

 kinky-haired kind. Judging from the very attractive character of the 

 lot seen at Des Moines, the old-fashioned sort is now only a memory, so 

 far as the latter-day importations are concerned. The judge, W. E. Prich- 

 ard, Ottawa, 111., was greatly pleased with this feature of the exhibit and 

 was free in his commendation of it — a valuable tribute from so reputable 

 a judge. There could be no questioning the title of Premvictor to pride 

 of place in the company of aged stallions, as he is in very attractive bloom. 

 He has had a large season and needs not the prestige of his exhibition 

 in the consignment sent last year by the King and Lord Rothschild to 

 give him prominence this year. Broughton Mormaco is a very massive 

 brown, distinctly better in his forelegs than the blue ribbon stallion, and 

 altogether a drafty clean-legged sort. Girton Senator is an upstanding 

 unfurnished black of grand presence and the way he mai'ked it off up 

 and down the arena when the Highland bagpipers entered was a caution. 

 The three-year-olds combined a lot of weight with pleasing quality, and 



almost without exception presented feet and legs that were acceptable. 



