1906: Sun shines on Antrim Show
The patron of the show was Viscount Massereene and Ferrard, the president, Mr John Kirk, JP, honorary treasurer, Mr Robert Russell, Antrim, honorary secretaries, Messrs James K Moore and James Morrison.
The News Letter noted: “The weather was beautifully fine, the sun shining brightly throughout the day, and pleasant breeze kept the temperature in comfortable warmth. The attendance was very satisfactory, and it was gratifying see the efforts of the show organisers warmly seconded, not only by those interested in agriculture, but also by a large and fashionable gathering of city folk. This is as it should be, and with more of this spirit in evidence at Balmoral, there would need be no need to deplore the lack of support which is sometimes observable at these reunions.
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Hide Ad“However, the Antrim executive not only deserved success – they commanded it. Grounds which cover some ten acres were secured close to the railway station; rings have been made, stands erected, fine jumping area carefully arranged, and what is as almost as any of these items, design is planned to facilitate the public in every way possible. An expenditure of £800 was necessary to effect all this, and no money was ever laid out to better advantage.”
Special awards were presented on the day for horses, these included: The McNaughton Challenge Cup was won by Mr J Cunningham’s Belmount Countess; while Mr Alexander Weir Boyd’s Bob won Mr J W G George’s trophy for the best three-year-old gelding or filly. Mr Robert Kirk’s cup for the best four or five year-old gelding or mare was awarded to Mr J Bamber for Sir Samuel; and the Boal Challenge Cup went to the stylish horse Barrington owned by Mr G C McMeekin of Mallusk. Mr Thomas K Moore, although second in his class with Force, took the cup presented by Mr John Black, Dunnual House, Randalstown, for a gelding having been bred by his owner. In the section for brood mares Mr Robert Christie, Crumlin, won first and gold medal with the nice chestnut, Moilie, with a foal at foot; and in the same category, only a class calculated to produce horses for agricultural purposes, Mr Josias Cunningham’s Belmount Countess continued her winning career.
In the purely agricultural classes in that for yearlings, colts, geldings, fillies, Mr Cunningham disposed of the opposition wining first and second honours, together with special prize, with Belmount Colleen and Belmount Clansman, who were first and second respectively. Other first prize winners were Mr David Graham, Crumlin, Mr. John Ferguson, Silverspring; and Mr Thomas Corbett, Dunadry; while Belmount Countess took another red rosette in the class for four-year-olds or over. Yearlings and two-year olds suitable for saddle or harness were nice classes, the principal winner being Mr William Graham, Dunadry, and Mr Robert Orr, Gracehill; while in the three-year-old section Mr A Weir’s Bob was a good first.
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