1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair

German Coach Horse Shows

German Coach Horses were a rather popular breed in 1904.  They were large horses that were strong enough to pull large carriages or fire engines.  However, they were much more stylish than draft horses.  Some of the top importers of this German breed exhibited in St. Louis. Competition was fierce, especially between Lafayette Stock  Farms, owned by J. R. Crouch and son of Lafayette, Indiana, and Sedalia, Missouri, and the Oltmanns Brothers of Watseka, Illinois, and Leer, Germany.

German Coach Mare Class

The St. Louis Republic newspaper told about the Lafayette Farms' exhibits that were in Barn 11. Lafayette Farms had brought over 100 head of horses to exhibit at the fair.  This included German Coach Horses, Percherons and Belgians.  It was said the the barn was "handsomely decorated at great expense."  The newspaper told that Lafayette had won all German Coach Classes except two.  However, that appears to be an exaggeration.

Hannibal was the best known German Coach Stallion.

Hannibal, the Grand Champion Stallion shown by Crouch, was described as "perfection" in action.  It was noted that hundreds of photos were made of this grand stallion during the week.

A German Coach Horse shown by McLaughlin Bros.

The first place winners were:

• Stallion- Under one year old:  High Ball; Exhibitor Oltmanns Bros.

• Mare-Four years old and over:  Palette; Exhibitor Oldenburg Coach Horse Society assisted by J. Crouch & Son

• Mare- Three years old:  Bojarin; Exhibitor Oltmanns Bros

• Mare- Two years old:  Ornea; Exhibitor Oldenburg Coach Horse Society assisted by J. Crouch & Son

• Mare- One year old:  Mute; Exhibitor Oldenburg Coach Horse Society assisted by J. Crouch & Son

• Mare- Under one year old:  Regina; Exhibitor A. B. Holbert, Greeley, IA

• Sire and four offspring:  Wittelsbacher; Exhibitor Oldenburg Coach Horse Society assisted by J. Crouch & Son

• Dam and two offspring:  V. Kahland; Exhibitor Oltmanns Bros.

• Stallion and four mares- Three years old and over:  Mohr; Exhibitor Oltmanns Bros.

• Stallion and four mares- Under three years old:  Erbprinz; Exhibitor Oldenburg Coach Horse Society assisted by J. Crouch & Sons

• Stallion and four mares- all two years old or over, bred by exhibitor:  Billy Trouble; Exhibitor Oltmanns Bros.

• Gelding- Four years old or over:  Bertus; Exhibitor Oltmanns Bros.

• Mare- Four years old or over:  Killian; Oltmanns Bros.

• Mare- Two years old: Euto; Exhibitor J. Crouch & Son  

Although, the German Coach horse show results were published after the fair in numerous newspapers and magazines, competition between exhibitors was not over.  By early 1905, Oltmann Brothers published ads about their wins and were apparently trying to refute the claims being made by another farm. 

Reference:  St. Louis Republic, September 3, 1904, page 4.

Photos from Irwin Stereoview collection.

This page was designed and is maintained by Lyndon Irwin. 

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