THE BELGIAN 



135 





to meet the expense of shows of foals and mares, which are 

 fixed by provincial regulations and which occur in some forty- 

 four different places. Stallions are also submitted for examina- 

 tion at this time. At each of these shows two classes of prizes 

 are awarded : (i) a first prize of 400 francs ($80) and a second 

 of 300 francs for the first and second prize three-year-old stal- 

 lions ; (2) a first prize of 550 francs ($i 10) and a second of 400 

 francs for the first and second prize four-year-old or older stal- 

 lions. Other smaller extra prizes may be awarded on stallions of 

 rank subordinate to the first and second. 



To promote home horse improvement the examining com- 

 mittee may award a maintenance bounty of 700 francs to the 

 owner of each stallion not under four years old that has won a 

 first prize at a previous annual show. A similar prize of 500 francs 

 is awarded the owner of the stallion which has won for two years 

 the second place in the class of stallions four years old or over. 

 If the committee regards as of exceptional value a stallion that 

 has won a maintenance prize, it may nominate him to compete 

 for a bounty of 6000 francs ($1200) payable annually by fifths, 

 so long as the horse remains approved by the committee and 

 retains its value. At the end of five years the owner of such 

 a stallion, if it remains approved, may continue to enjoy an 

 annual maintenance of from 600 to 800 francs. In case a stallion 

 that has received the 6000 francs bounty is sold to leave Belgium, 

 the fifths already received by the owner must be returned to 

 the treasury of the state. There is an annual competition in 

 each province for stallions four years old or over that have won 

 the above special prizes, at which they may compete for a first 

 prize of 900 francs and a second of 700 francs. 



The examination of stallions usually occurs the sixth year, 

 with a show of foals, and fillies of two and three years, and 

 brood mares, when considerable prize money is awarded. Main- 

 tenance bounties may also be awarded owners of the best mares 

 in order to retain them in Belgium. 



Draft-horse shows in Belgium are held each year at Brussels 

 in June. These are notable events, for here is the largest show 

 of one breed that is made in Europe. In 1904 at this show there 

 were nearly 800 entries representing 264 stables. While the 



