THE GREAT HORSE SHOW.
August First and Second.
THERE is no leading event that
takes place in Charlottesville
that is looked forward to with
greater pleasure both by the
young and the old than the grand annual
horse show. And it may be truly
said that but few incidents contribute
more to the fame of our fair city, or have
brought better results to its commercial
life, than this mammoth and creditable
enterprise. Outside of the pastime
and outing that it affords the general
public, it has stimulated the production
of fine blooded horses that have
gained for Albemarle County a reputation
that will never die. The yearly
exposition of the Albemarle Horse
Show Assocation is held a short distance
from the city at what is known as
Fry's Spring and is reached by trolley
cars that let passangers off at the main
entrance to the grounds. The place
is provided with grand and band
stands splendid stalls for the accommodation
of the exhibits, refresh
ment booths, etc. The gentlemen of the
Association are all business men of
the highest standing who are imbued
with the idea of this worthy undertaking
where both pleasure and profit
are combined. At these annual shows
may be seen many celebrated thorough
breds, standards and hunters. Stallions
of speed and draft that have
made the Red Lands famous. The
Horse Show is Albemarle's great
social event and is taken advantage
of as the proper time for annual reunions
of old friends throughout this
and adjoining counties and state. The
doors of the homes of our city are
thrown wide open, hospitality is the
countersign that admits all, and
every visitor is simply asked to enjoy
himself. On the second night always
occurs the big "German" in the
Armory, and the famous old Stonewall
Brigade Band of Staunton provides
the music for our young gallants and
fair maids, as many years ago they
led our fathers through the valleys and
into the storm of shot and shell. This
year the show takes place August 1st
and 2nd, and liberal prizes will be offered.
Every horse owner is invited
to show what kind of a horse he or
she has, and it will be no disgrace to
lose a ribbon, for those defeated can
feel assured that they! have been beaten
by the best horse flesh that can be
produced. The Association was organized
in 1900, and Mr. J. T. Haxall
was its first president. For a time its
success seemed doubtful, but the
promoters soon succeeded in arousing
the interest of the citizens, until today
the horse show revenue is second to
that of no other enterprise here. The
president is Mr. George L. Mason, and
Mr. Joel Cochran is manager, and they
are supported by an array of prominent
men that recognize no such word
as fail. In 1905 12,000 people passed
through the gates, and this year,
coming as it does at a season when
all classes can afford a little recreation,
after all the crops have been reaped
and stored, is expected to far exceed
all others. What they desire to impress
upon the people is the fact that
here in old Albemarle we have the
very best blooded horses, horses with
pedigrees that go far back beyond any
of our lives, that the exhibition is one
of the greatest sights of the United
States, and that here we have stalwart
men and fair women, forming a society
nowhere excelled—Come to the
show.
Life is a casket, not precious in itself,
but valuable in proportion to
what fortune or industry or virtue has
placed within it.—Landor.
When we think of the ease with
which we deceive others we should
think of the ease with which others
may deceive us.
