114 Report upon the Spring Show of Thoroughbred Stallions 
out of " Roma," by " Oxford," is a hunter all over. He was as 
good a horse to follow as any in the show, and was second to none 
in the matter of bone. Moreover, he boasts of capital quarters, 
very muscular arms and good shoulders, and the Judges were 
evidently much taken with him. " Wallingford," by " Lord 
Clifden," out of " Donna del Lago," by " Lord of the Isles," 
is lacking in substance, and, though a useful horse enough, 
hardly strikes one as being quite a first-class pattern for a 
hunter-sire. 
" Wallingford " was the last of the competition horses. As 
already pointed out, the most likely-looking of each batch of 
ten were told off for veterinary examination, and from those 
who survived the ordeal, the winners of the five premiums, and 
the three reserved horses, were selected. The veterinary sur- 
geons were Professor Brown, Mr. Fryer, and Mr. Clement 
Stephenson. Of the competitors, sixteen were told off for 
examination, and here I may state that I do not know what 
were the instructions to the veterinary officials. Of one thing, 
however, I am certain, viz., that the examination was of a 
most searching description. Amongst those which returned for 
final examination by the Judges were "Blue Grass," "Dick 
Swiveller," " Duke of Athole," " Even," " Gumbo," " King 
Harold," "Knight Templar," "Moss Hawk," "Prescription," 
" Storm Signal," and " Swillington." These were again 
minutely inspected by the Judges, and there was a good deal 
of evident excitement manifested while the final choice was 
being made. Ultimately "Duke of Athole," "Dick Swiveller," 
and " King Harold," were sent out, and nothing remained but 
to pick the five prize-takers, and arrange the remaining three 
in their order of merit. 
By common consent three horses Avere sure of being in the 
winning five, but opinions differed as to the placing of the rest. 
Eventually " Gumbo," " Knight Templar," " Moss Hawk," 
" Prescription," and " Storm Signal," were accounted the" pick 
of the party, and thus entitled their owners to 200/. each. They 
were, for the purposes of the show, to be taken as of equal 
merit, so the catalogue order as above given must not be regarded 
as indicating a superiority of one over another. Lest objections 
and disqualifications should follow, three horses were to be 
reserved — of course, in order of merit — and these were " Blue 
Grass," " Swillington," and " Even." 
It may possibly be thought that, in making mention of what 
seemed to be the more prominent points of the horses entered 
for competition, what has been written was not borne out by the 
decision of the Judges. The answer is that one or two horses, 
who seemed certain prize-takers, did not pass the veterinary 
