1853. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
363 
National Exhibition of Horses. 
Springfield (Mass.) was for the week of the exhibi¬ 
tion, the great center, of attraction for all admirers of 
fine horses. Distinguished public men from all parts of 
the country, scores of editors, breeders and owners of the 
best stock in the land, and a large concourse of visitors 
have been in attendance through all the days of the 
show. We doubt whether any other exhibition will 
arouse popular excitement to such .a pitch or hold it so 
long, as a display of horses. People seem never to tire 
of watching the motion of a high-spirited animal, and 
with an increase of speed they gather enthusiasm.-— 
Whatever may have been the first impressions of a 
National Exhibition, there is now but one opinion ex¬ 
pressed—namely that it has been successful and highly 
gratifying. 
We published in our weekly journal, a full history of 
the-exhibition, from which we give the following ex¬ 
tracts, all for which we can make room in this paper. 
With this brief history of the movement, we turn to 
notice the arrangement of the grounds, and the perfect 
system and regularity which was maintained through 
the whole exhibition. A lot of twenty-two acres of fine 
level sward, situated near the Armory, was fenced in, 
and furnished on two of its sides with close stalls for 
horses, numbering more than three hundred. On the 
west side were arranged tiers of elevated seats capable 
of accommodating 4,000 spectators. Fronting the seats 
was the Judges’ stand, and between the seats and the 
stand, a track fifty feet wide and a half mile in circuit 
was prepared. Each animal entered was designated 
by a card, stating the number of the entry, the name of 
the animal, his age, height, weight, breed, where 
raised, and a blank for the owner’s name. Punctual 
to the moment appointed, horses belonging to each 
separate class were called to the front of the Judges’ 
stand, and, as the numbers were announced, each ani¬ 
mal was driven slowly in review past the stand, and 
then returned to its place. After this review, all were 
removed to apportion of the field to he more particu¬ 
larly examined by the Judges. We mention this as 
an excellent mode of conducting similar exhibitions, 
and also to pay the Managers the deserved compliment 
of carrying out their published regulations to the letter 
—a very unusual thing. 
One marked feature of the Exhibition was the grand 
entry in procession of all the horses on Friday morning. 
The sun shone brightly, with all the mildness of an In¬ 
dian summer, and the temperature was that equable 
mean which pleases every one. We have never seen a 
more pleasing spectacle than the seats crowded as they 
Were with ladies, all alike beautiful in the distance, 
and all animated with the enthusiasm of the occasion. 
The center of the grounds, within the ring, was throng¬ 
ed with horses and carriages, while the course was 
completely surrounded with the multitude waiting in 
breathless expectation for the signal. It is given, and 
the chaos of horses within the track gradually form in 
order. Stallions, stately and dignified, conscious of the 
imposing occasion, move slowly on in their pride and 
strength—others 5 tread gracefully, keeping time witk 
the enlivening music—others, anxious to see and be 
seen, eye the crowd on either side and yield with con¬ 
temptuous disdain to the control of the rein—matched 
horses, jealous of each others’ beauty, seem scarcely to 
touch the ground—ponies come modestly along in ths 
rear; now all are moving faster—black horses and 
white, bay and gray, brown and roan, chestnut and 
cream, are flitting past in rapid and still more rapid 
succession, constituting a living panorama, unique and 
beautiful. 
We have not time or space to speak of the particular 
merits of many of the horses on exhibition. The total 
number of entries was 375. The show of “ thorough 
breds ’ was small, only six entries being made in the 
class, and did not attract so much attention as that in 
the other classes. Of stallions ovor seven years, there 
'wereffty-six ; between four and seven, thirty-three ; 
three years old, seventeen ; two years old, eight; one. 
year old, seven ; geldings, one hundred and nine; 
matched horses, thirty-three; fancy matched, sixteen; . 
breeding mares, fifty-two; breeding mares with foal at 
side, nine; farm horses, seven ; ponies, eighteen. 
Among the first class of stallions, “ Cassius M. Clay” 
was a favorite and received the first premium, but, to 
our fancy, his speed is about the only quality that com¬ 
mends him to breeders. Both he and his colts lack that 
substance and power of endurance which are as neces¬ 
sary in a fast horse as any other. F. A. Wier of Wal¬ 
pole, N. H., exhibited a chestnut Morgan horse of great 
beauty and fine action, seven years old, weighing 1,113 
pounds, sired by Green Mountain Morgan, dam by Mor¬ 
gan Cock of the Rock. A. R. Mathes of Roxbury, Mass., 
exhibited a very showy and beautiful animal, named 
“ Black Prince,” by a Morgan horse out of an English 
mare. “ Rush Messenger,” one eighth Messenger, 
weighing over 1,300 pounds, shown by Hiram Reed, 
Augusta, Me., was one of the most valuable stallions 
on the grounds. B. G. Putnam of Orange, Mass., show¬ 
ed a solid, well made horse, named “Young Morgan,” 
sired by Green Mountain Morgan, 15 hands high, 
weighing 1,150 pounds, color dapple gray. 
Among the stallions from 4 to 7 -years, were some 
very superior animals. The horse, “ Paul Clifford,” 
owned by F. M. Wilcox, Shoreham, Vi, to which the 
first premium was awarded in his class, is one of the 
best specimens of the Black Hawk family of Morgans 
we have ever seen. He is larger than most of the 
breed, weighing 1,100 pounds, and combines great 
muscle and bottom with fine proportions and high spirit. 
A horse, named “ Flying Morgan,” owned by Cham¬ 
berlain & Gibbs of Petersham, Mass., comes quite up to 
our ideal of a perfectly symmetrical animal. His height 
is 15 hands, weight 1,050 pounds, color bright bay, and 
his action splendid. His sire was Morgan Emperor, got 
by Bulrush Morgan. 
“ Flying Cloud,” owned by T. T. Jackson, Flushing, 
L. I., is a six year old Black Hawk, of great merit and 
promise, and will yet be heard from on the turf. 
' “ North Star,” a four year old, by Green Mountain 
