The Country and the Horse.

The Hon. W. E. Parry's recent utterances on the subject of country sport and on racing and hunting must have found cordial approval among the farming people, and in fact among all who hope for a return to the rational use of the horse. As one who was brought up in the saddle, so to say, I rejoiced to read Mr. Parry's enunciation of his racing ideals. He believes in encouraging the hunter type of horse, as opposed to the sprinter, the racing breed which has been reduced to a mere machine for short bursts of speed.

He believes also in encouraging the country race meeting, instead of centralising all the horsemanship and speed tests on the large city courses. The “picnic race meeting” is his ideal; he considers it will help to increase interest in country life among young people and assist to stop the drift to the cities for amusement.

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A great deal could be written in approval of Mr. Parry's views for the reform of racing. Undoubtedly the hunter type of horse, the good all-round animal that can be used as a stock-horse and hack, and carry a fair weight on a long run, is the type we should encourage in this country. Speed and utility are combined in such a horse. The farmer and his sons and daughters would take pride in breeding and training it, and in using it for sport as well as farm and station duty. The light cavalry troop horse that was bred in large numbers in New Zealand in other days is my own ideal of a horse, an animal fit for sharp cross-country runs and stiff jumps, and capable of carrying fifteen stone weight of man and gear on a day's journey.

Riding to hounds helps to produce such a breed, and a country hunt club deserves strong official encouragement so long as it keeps in view the excellent purpose of combining sport with utility. This is a country in which horses will always be needed, away from the motor traffic speed routes, and the well-bred horse which blends in itself the desirable qualities mentioned will always be in demand.