THE BELGIAN 133 



Exhibitions of Belgians in the United States are comparatively 

 recent. Small exhibits have attracted attention at the Chicago 

 horse show and at some of the Central West fairs during the 

 past twenty years, but it is only very lately that general interest 

 has been taken in the breed. A small show of Belgians "was 

 made at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 at Chicago 

 by A. B. Holbert, Van Volsen Brothers and Vanderschuerm, 

 Lefebure and Sons of Iowa, and J. Crouch and Son of Indiana. 

 During recent years interest in the breed has greatly grown, and 

 at the International Live-Stock Exposition at Chicago in 1917 

 there were entered thirty-four aged stallions, while a large and 

 creditable show of various classes was made. 



The influence of the World War on the horse in Belgium was 

 most damaging, for the German invaders essentially destroyed 

 the horse industry of the country. However, horses were saved 

 early in the war by taking a limited number to Holland and 

 England, where they were given protection and care, awaiting 

 the day of peace. With the return of peace, Belgian breeders, 

 with the help of their friends, will be able to reestablish their 

 studs. In 1918 a commission from Belgium spent some time 

 visiting American studs with the view of looking to this country 

 for much-needed pure-bred stock. 



