11
Rawalpindi
Horse Fair.
134. This fair was held from the 30th March to the 2nd April 1892.
135. Two thousand three hundred and two head of stock attended against 3,544 last
year. Of these, 381 competed for prizes against 410 in 1891. The reason for this falling off
in numbers is stated to have been scarcity and dearness of fodder due to the ravages of locusts
and a bad season.
136. The remarks of the Judging Committee may be summarized as follows :—
|
Branded mares (a) |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Good on the whole. |
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Do. do. (b) |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
A few rather small. Prize |
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Do. do. with foal at foot |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Good. |
|
|
Do. fillies |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Excellent. |
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Mares with best foal (e) |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Fair. |
|
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Pony mares for mule-breeding |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Very good. |
|
|
Fillies, 3 and 2 years old |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Particularly good. |
|
|
Geldings ... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Indifferent. |
|
Remounts—only two exhibits |
... |
... |
... |
... |
No remarks as to quality. |
|
|
Yearling colts and fillies |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Decidedly good. |
|
|
Foreign horses |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Fairly good. |
|
Donkey stallions |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Not good. |
|
Donkey mares |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Poor and undersized. |
|
Mules ... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Fit for artillery. |
137. It is gratifying to find that, although the numbers attending betray a large decrease,
the quality of the stock show no deterioration.
138. Twenty-five head of stock were purchased by the Remount Department at an average
of Rs. 330. Fifty-nine remounts were obtained for the Native Cavalry.
139. Eighty-five mules were bought for Government.
140. Rs. 1,800, the sum allowed for prizes from Imperial Funds, was supplemented by
Rs. 100 from local sources, making a total of Rs. 1,900, of which Rs. 1,875 were awarded.
Four bridles were presented to successful competitors.
Shahpur Horse
Show.
141. This show came off on the 18th and 19th March 1892.
142. One thousand three hundred and forty-nine horses attended against 1,467 in 1891.
Of these, 476 competed for prizes against 581 last year. The decrease in numbers is stated
by the Deputy Commissioner to have been caused by "a year of exceptional drought when
fodder is scarce and dear."
143. The remarks on the various classes attending are:—
|
Branded mares |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Yearling colts |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Good. |
||||||
|
2-year old geldings |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Donkey mares |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Branded fillies |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Very good. |
||||||
|
Mules |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Fillies, 2 and 3 years old |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Bad. |
|
|
Yearling fillies |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
|
|
Fair. |
||||||
|
Pony mares for mule-breeding |
... |
... |
... |
... |
||
|
Yearling geldings |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Indifferent. |
|
Donkey stallions |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Only two eligible; neither |
144. In addition to the above, classes were formed for indigenous stallions, mares, and
stock. Many of these were of good quality, and showed bone and substance.
145. The Assistant Superintendent, Horse-Breeding Department, Punjab, notes that a
large number of horses competing were the property of three native gentlemen of the district,
and that the poorer zemindars were rather at a discount in the prize ring. His suggestion
that well-to-do competitors should be allowed a certificate only, money prizes being given to
the poorer breeders, is quite sound.
146. The Deputy Commissioner remarks that mare owners expressed discontent at so many
animals being rejected for the brand on account of unsoundness. While this Department
is fully awake to the fact that it is of the greatest importance to conciliate the zemindars as