604 Report on the Live Stock exhibited at Bedford. 



wise the utility of prizes for hunters over five years old might 

 be doubted, especially as these prizes generally fall to aged 

 hunter-geldings that have established their reputation in the 

 field and under the auctioneer's hammer. Prizes to hunter- 

 mares have a more solid foundation. 



The prizes for thoroughbred stallions become of doubtful 

 advantage when the winners are itinerant prize winners, covering 

 at fees far beyond the pocket of an average tenant-farmer. 



The number of horses was considerably in excess of those 

 exhibited at many former meetings, the entries being 407 as 

 against 314 at Cardiff and 281 at Hull ; and although, as might 

 be expected, there were many not likely to catch the judge's 

 ■eye, the show must be pronounced a very good one. 



Class 1 contained several useful colts, but none but the 

 winner of the first prize called forth any particular notice. 



Class 2 was a grand class. The winner. No. 19, is a first-rate 

 3-year-old. " Young Champion," No. 39, a horse of great power 

 and wonderful activity, Avho was third to " Le Bon " at Cardiff, 

 and second to him at Hull, now wins the second prize, and 

 " Le Bon " is not placed. No. 38, another 3-year-old, runs 

 well up to his stable companion. No. 39 was second in the 

 young class at Hull, and is now third ; and Nos. 30 and 37, 

 especially the latter, are very useful horses. It should be 

 observed that the winners of the first and third prizes, and the 

 reserved number, are all by the great prize-taker " Honest Tom," 

 and that the winner of the second prize was beaten by his own 

 brother at Alexandra Park, which shows how desirable it is to 

 use a good sire. 



Class 3 pi'oduced only two competitors. 



Class 4. — The older Clydesdales were good. " Young Lofty " 

 (now 13 years old !) is always worth looking at, and Nos. 48, 

 53, and 54 were good specimens of this active useful breed, and 

 No. 49 is a promising young one. 



Classes 5 and 6. — The SufFolks were well represented, con- 

 sidering they were rather out of their favourite district ; and it 

 certainly appears that more attention is being paid to their hocks 

 ?.nd bone below the knee than has been hitherto done. " Heir 

 Apparent,'' a very good horse, with strong loins and good legs 

 and feet, who was first in his class at Wolverhampton and Hull, 

 is second hei-e. 



Class 7. — This class, as usual, contained rather a motley lot. 

 " Sir George," the winner at Hull and at many other places, as 

 a pony, is a great beauty, but hardly in his class as a hackney. 

 " Rapid Roan " is a grand goer, but rather short in the rib. 

 No. 86 is a gentlemanlike chestnut, likely to get riding-horses. 

 The " Great Gun," No. 88, is a fine goer, and equal to more 



