CHAPTER VIIL 

 FITTING FOR SHOW AND SHOWING. 



From time immemorial trial in the arena has 

 been the main bulwark of the breeder's busi- 

 ness. The modern show ring is the legitimate 

 successor of the Roman stadium. It was an 

 easy transition from the trial of speed to the 

 trial of individuality and this historic connec- 

 tion is portrayed today in the names amphi- 

 theater and coliseum which we bestow on the 

 buildings in which our horse shows are held. 

 At its inception in those far off days the arena 

 was a field of war ; the modern show ring is no 

 kindergarten. It is the same invincible spirit 

 which made Rome mistress of the world and 

 which has builded all the great empires the 

 world has ever known that has given men honor 

 in the show ring. Modern show yard ethics de- 

 mand that the exhibitor be a sportsman; the 

 show ring is no place for the pusillanimous or 

 cowardly. 



Active competition in the arena must be 

 engaged in by the breeder before he can learn 

 to gauge properly the merits and demerits of 

 his stock. Young animals may look at home to 

 be worldbeaters and yet not come one-two-six 

 when the judge hands out the ribbons. It is 



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