516 Report on the Ridinf) Horses and Ponies shown at Canterbury, 
suggestions on the classes which came under our notice, as 
Judges of riding-horses, might be acceptable, I have committed 
to paper a few general remarks on the classes, as also on the 
subject of our riding-horses at tlie present time — their failings 
and deficiencies. 
And first, on Class I. — "For thoroughbred Stallions for 
getting Hunters," &c., for which 25Z. and 15/. have been the 
rates of remuneration, I would venture to remark, that having 
watched this class since the establishment of the Royal Agri- 
cultural Meetings, I have come to the conclusion that it is 
one which in all districts is worthy of the patronage of the 
Society : it gives variety to their Shows, it attracts a number 
of people who are not much interested in the beasts and sheep, 
and so adds grist to the mill ; and, if only the prizes be liberal, 
and so worded as to ensure the entry of the most valuable horses, 
available for general use in the field and on tlie road, it must 
command success in almost every district, for all Englishmen 
love a horse, especially those of the Northern Counties. Yet 
ever since the Royal Agricultural Society first instituted this 
prize, the class has been but a small one, owing to the fact 
that owners of valuable horses are not to be tempted to send to 
a distance, under a prize of 100/. The entries have therefore 
been generally restricted to those kept within easy distance 
of the Show. Still I have seen some useful horses gain the 
prizes : I can mention " Canute," a fine powerful horse (who 
likewise gained many local prizes) ; also " Spencer " and " Sir 
Peter Laurie," Avhen, as at Lincoln, local prizes were given to 
this class of horses ; and, lastly, at Canterbury, " Dagobert * 
deserved to be successful, as he possessed fine action, and a 
wiry, hunting-like frame. At Middlesborough the example 
(which I am happy to see the Royal Agricultural Society 
intend to follow at the ensuing Leeds Meeting) of giving 
100/. was a decided success, inasmuch as it brought toge- 
ther a show of fine horses. No doubt it was won by the 
best, " VoltiffCiir,^' and possibhj (but this was a question) the 
second-best Avas " Tlie Cure." But since the former of these 
covers at 50 guineas a mare, the second at 25 guineas ; I 
say that the 100/., for all practical purposes, was thrown 
away, as these first-raters do not want encouragement. The 
racing world ^ atronises them, and there is no fear of their 
deteriorating as race-horses — then, why give lOOZ. to an animal 
who is at the "top of the tree," and of no use to the breeder 
of hunters or hackneys ? It would surely be better to give a 
prize of 100/. for the best horse which is available at a fee not 
exceeding 5/. — a limitation which, in my l)elief, would not prove 
injurious to the Show. I could mention many horses equally 
