1914-06-17afa

“The first Hamilton horse show was opened yesterday afternoon and it was an auspicious occasion indeed, being opened by the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, Sir John M. Gibson and by fully three hundred of Hamilton people interested in equine beauty.”

Hamilton Times.  June 18, 1913.

The Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association grounds usually were the site of football games, cricket games or other sporting events, with the occasional non-sports performances interspersed.

In the spring of 1914, it was decided to put on a major horse show at the H.A.A.A. grounds, with three days, June 18, 19 and 20, filled with horses of all sizes and breeds put on display, to be judged for prizes.

The upcoming Hamilton Horse show prompted two major Hamilton retailers to dedicate their weekly full page advertisements to tie in with the event.

The ad for the Stanley Mills and Co. Ltd. stores was headed with the phrase, “ ‘Good Luck’ to the Horse Show,” and several horse shoes were inserted in various places in the selection of sales to be held at stores on James Street North and King Street East.

The full page for the G. W. Robinson Co. Ltd. Store on James Street South was headed by the following : “Here Are Many Needful Things for Those Attending the Opening of Hamilton’s First Horse Show.”¹

¹“Stanley Mills and Co. Ltd.”

Hamilton Spectator. June 17, 1914

The largest line drawing depicted a stylishly-dressed woman standing before a wooden gate, over which was a horse’s head could be seen. The lady and horse were framed by a large horse shoe, on the top of which were overlaid two crossed riding whips .

The following were just some of the items on sale during the three days of the Hamilton Horse Show :

“Summer Dresses for the Horse Show, $8.50 – these exquisite dresses are charming enough for any occasion like the horse show.”

“Big Store Gloves Will Be Prominent at the Show – have your hands daintily clad when you go to the Horse Show or any other occasion.”

“Newest Summer Millinery for the Horse Show – these are very cool Summer Hats in soft shapes. Corduroy, silk, pique, felt and linen.”

“The Horse Show Brings a Great Sale of Men’s Smart Straw Hats, $1.50 – every man who has yet to buy a Straw Hat will be interested in this sale.

“Horse Shows Visitors ! Enjoy a Splendid Dinner in Our Lunch Room – served daily from 11:30 until 2. Express elevator direct. Lomas’ orchestra renders a choice musical program. The finest appointed place in the city at very moderate rates.”

“Visitors at the Horse Show – are invited to take advantage of the many conveniences The Big Store affords. Splendidly appointed rest rooms on 2^nd and 4^th floor, where you may read, write and meet your friends. Telephones, information bureau, parcel check room at your service. Make this store your headquarters.”²

² “ The G. W. Robinson Co. Ltd.”

Hamilton Spectator. June 17, 1914.

When the organizers of the Hamilton Horse Show decided on June 18th, 19th and 20^th as the dates for the event, the thought was that warm spring sunshine and balmy temperatures would prevail.

However, such was the case early in the afternoon but a change took place later in the day when the weather was marked by strong winds and a sudden shower  :

“Man’s most faithful animal, the horse, reigned supreme at the H. A. A. A. grounds yesterday afternoon and last evening, and will do so this afternoon and evening and tomorrow afternoon, if the weather man shows as much enthusiasm over the show as the spectators and competitors.

“The weather was ideal, excepting for a few minutes at the close of the afternoon program, when a shower delayed proceedings for a time and made the people seek a place in the stand where the wind would not blow the rain on them”³

³ Hamilton Horse Show Opens Auspiciously : Fourteen Splendid Events on Opening Day : Lieutenant-Governor Gibson and Party in Attendance”

          Hamilton Spectator.  June 18, 1914.

The Times report on the first day of the Hamilton Horse Show at the H.A.A.A. grounds also made reference to the weather:

“The event has not yet become a society affair, in that not an overly large crowd of ladies were in attendance, but should the weather be favourable today and tomorrow will certainly be featured by the large attendance of Hamilton society folk.”²

Despite the weather and the low attendance, the Times reporter felt that the first day of the Hamilton Horse Show was enjoyable :

“The grounds proved ideal for the show, the ring being in front of the large steel stand with a canvas background, which made it look more compact. The stand was gaily decorated, yellow and black, the horse show colors predominating, with plenty of flags and red, white and blue bunting to add to the decorative scheme. Members of the 91^st Highlanders in dress uniform assisted the ringmaster, and the band of the 13^th Royal Regiment furnished the music at both the afternoon and evening events. The boxed were all gaily decorated, the lieutenant-governor’s box being draped with the Union Jack. By way of extending welcome to the American visitors, the Stars and Stripes were noticeable among the decorations.”³

Unfortunately, the low attendance continued in the second and third day of the Hamilton Horse, to the point that at times it seemed like there were more horse owners, trainers and judges than there were paid customers in the stands. The weather continued to be sporadically rainy and the temperatures were consistently cold for June.

The First Hamilton Horse Show at the H.A.A.A. grounds would be the last.