SHOWING SADDLE HORSES 165 



in the show ring you simply have to get a Kentucky 

 horse." However, not all of us are so weak-minded 

 as that, and we prefer to get the gate with our thorough- 

 breds, knowing that if we stick it out they will come 

 into their own again and give cards and spades to the 

 Kentucky horse under any judge who is a real horse- 

 man. 



When you have decided upon the type of horse you 

 intend to show and are determined that he is good 

 enough to win, the next thing to do, if you are a be- 

 ginner at the game, is to try to get the advice of some 

 experienced horseman. Either put your horse in the 

 hands of some one who knows all about it, or if you 

 wish to undertake the matter yourself, study your 

 adviser's methods and place yourself under his tuition. 



Never allow a horse who is a "novice" to be brought 

 out under inauspicious circumstances, for a bad be- 

 ginning is hard to eradicate from the minds of judges. 

 Past performances are not supposed to count, but 

 judges are only human and a horse with a good repu- 

 tation has just that much in his favor. Reputations 

 among horses, as among persons, are very easy to lose 

 and hard to get back. 



When the prize list arrives, make a point of study- 

 ing the names of the judges, which are usually printed 

 on the first page. Find out if possible their preference, 

 and then if you find that you intend showing a type 

 of horse that they particularly dislike — show elsewhere. 

 For example, it would be simply a waste of time and 

 a detriment to your horse's good name and character 

 to show a Kentucky horse under a "Mr. Gooch," and 

 similarily foolish to exhibit a thoroughbred before a 

 "Major Benton." Some people advocate omitting 

 the name of the judges on the prize list, claiming that 



