Orders were soon issued for the battery to build stables in the woodland on the opposite side of the road from the battery quarters. The ground selected as the site was very muddy. The first duty, therefore, was the opening of a stone quarry and the hauling of many loads of cracked stone to form the base of the new stable. Between the work of building the stables and preparing for the horse shows, the time of the troops at Benoite Vaux was well occupied.
On February 21st, the 2nd Battalion of the 311th conducted a Horse Show to pick entries for the regimental Horse Show which was announced. In this show Battery D carried off a good share of the ribbons. John E. Jones, of Hazleton, Penna., was awarded the blue ribbon and a cash donation of francs, as first prize winner for individual mounts. Concetti Imbesi, of Scranton, Penna., captured the second place in this event and was awarded the red ribbon. Imbesi was a prize winner in the hurdling, taking the yellow ribbon.
For the entry of 75 mm. gun and caisson with personnel, Battery D took second and third places. The 2nd section of D took the red ribbon and the 1st section received the yellow decoration. Each battery had six mounted sections in this event. Battery F took first in this event.
The battalion, as well as the regimental show, was held on a specially constructed course between Benoite Vaux and Issoncourt.
In the regimental show, which took place on Monday, February 24th, John E. Jones was adorned with the blue ribbon for guidon mounts. Jones also finished third in the regimental hurdles, in which event Imbesi also cantered from the track with the blue ribbon on his bridle.
The officers of Battery D added their share to the trophies of the day. First Lieutenant C. D. Bailey, in the officers' single mounts and hurdles, captured second place in both events. The 2nd section of 75 mm. gun and caisson, the Battery D winner in the battalion show, was ruled out of the regimental decision. Battery A took first in this event, while the 1st section of Battery D got the yellow ribbon.
The Divisional Show was held at Pierrefitte on Thursday, February 27th. The best Battery D could do in the divisional competition was a good record of two third places with the yellow ribbons. The show was conducted in inclement weather, a combination of rain, hail and snow worrying many of the high-spirited chevaux as they walked, trotted and cantered over the course. Jones was judged third for guidon mount and Capt. A. L. Smith got third for officer's saddle horse.
The official standing of the organizations in the regimental show was as follows:
Headquarters Company 27
Battery D 18
Battery B 18
Battery F 13
Supply Company 10
Battery E 7
Battery A 5
Battery C 5
Medical Detachment 0
The points scored at the Divisional Show were: