Under ‘Pages’ in sidebar on the Left See reports on Connemara Classes at Claremorris and at Dartfield. 29 May and at Galway 20,21 June Also Reports on Roundstone Show 12 July Ω Ballyconneelly Show Ridden Ponies 18July. Reports on Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders at Annaharvey 26 July ‘09, Ridden Ponies and In-Hand Ponies. Report on Cashel Show of 2 August Reports on Dublin Horse Show Connemara Classes 5 and 6 August ‘09 see text and pics. under ‘PAGES’on the sidebar ] Report on Clifden Pony Show 20th August, In -Hand. Report on Clifden Pony Show Ridden classes. Report on Claregalway Show. Report on Oughterard Performance Connemaras 29 August Report on Roundstone Champion of Champions Show Sun. 13 Sept 09
_______________________
BOBBY BOLGER
IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT WE HAVE HEARD OF THE SUDDEN DEATH ON MONDAY 2 November OF ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN BREEDERS OF THE CONNEMARA PONY IN IRELAND. Our sympathies go to his wife and family
Bobby Bolger wins the Clifden Supreme Championship in 1997 with Coral Misty
BOBBY BOLGER ACHIEVED THE DISTINCTION OF WINNING THE CLIFDEN SPREME CHAMPIONSHIP ON FIVE OCCASIONS BETWEEN 1993 AND 1999 WITH HIS STALLION CORAL PRINCE AND WITH THE MARES QUEEN GILLIAN AND CORAL MISTY.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. May he rest in peace
______________________
ThURSDAY 29 Oct: REPORTS ON CLIFDEN MART OCTOBER SALES, DAY ONE, also NOW IN PAGES; Sales, Days 2,3,4,and 5.
____________________________________
The Annual Social held by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society on Saturday 31 October at Gaqlway’s Westwood Hotel was an undqualified success. REPORT on AWARDS NIGHT in ‘PAGES’ on the left.
________________________________________
From France A recent email from Isabelle and Hubert Laurent describes their two Connemara stallions on Sale in France. Contact them at hlaurent4@wanadoo.fr
________________________________________
I am happy to use any news items you may send me on Connemara ponies or events connected with Connemaras. Also if you see incorrect or missing names of people or ponies please email and they will be corrected. ps. If you would like to purchase books signed by the author as seen at www.marne.ie please contact niamhodoc@eircom.net Books “Galway Show, The Story- 1892 – 2000″, “A Way with Horses” and “Connemara Pony Handbook“ are each available at the special Niamh’s Weblog price of only 12 Euro plus postage. Also available in shops in Galway and Connemara.
__________________________________________________________-
Lecarrow King with Padraig Hynes, August 08
******* LECARROW KING OOPS, !!! corrrection needed to the earlier incorrect report !!!-was !st in Mountain and Moorland at Horse of the Year Show 7 Oct ‘09 . Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year. He will now be prepared for his final Show of the Year, the NPS Supreme Ridden Championship at Olympia on Dec. 21st. My apologies for getting it wrong. Lecarrow King (Village Boy X Lecarrow) and rider Sam Roberts took Lecarrow King to the top when they scooped the M & M Ridden Championship at the recent prestigious Horse of the Year Show The 9 yr. old stallion is owned by Lady Vestey and Henrietta Knight and you will see further news and views on his wins across the water if you go to www.lockingeconnemaras . Pictured here are two of his forebears.
Village Boy with Tommy O'Brien
He was registered at a later than usual age and was standing with Padraig Hynes of Canal Stage, Connemara in the summer of 2008. If you go to Archives on this blog and go to the August 08 post you will see him in Connemara as an 8 yr. old, and in the January ‘09 Post on the Village Ponies you will see where he originated.
Patrick King's Village Grey in Connemara with last foal Village Swan
Bred by Evelyn Nee in Foreglas, Ballyconneely, his breeding includes Village Grey, Village Belle, Abbeyleix Owen, Killyreagh Kim, Murphy Rebel , Clonkeehan Auratum and Carna Bobby.
******** More news of the exploits of Creemully Western Melody,
Creemully Western Melody, National Connemara Pony Dressage Champion
this 7yr. old stallion by I Love You Melody X Creemully Heather who recently jumped to Grade A under SJAI rules. With his owner/rider, Galway’s Mary Mitchell, he performed brilliantly at the recent Dressage Ireland National Championships from Sept 25th – 27th in both Novice and Elementary Grades and took the All Ireland Dressage Trophy for Connemara Ponies. The versatile Melody was bred by Kevin Delaney of Creemully, co. Roscommon and all of the schooling work since she backed him as a 4 year old has been carried out by Mary and he is a credit to her.****** Ciaran Briscoe has kindly sent me an update on the European Pony championships and on the part played by Connnemara Ponies in the Irish Team’s success: See more on Sillogue Darkie in November 08 blog. Connemara Pony Breed Success: Sillogue Darkie & Ballyowen Mabel Molly
Ballyowen Mabel Molly & Kellie Allen
Building on the tradition of Connemara legends such as Dexter Leam Pondi who have for many years graced the European Championships the two pedigree Connemara’s Ballyowen Maybell Molly and Sillogue Darkie recently gave a magnificent exhibition of show jumping.
Sillogue Darkie & Michael Duffy
With the seven year old mare and thirteen year old gelding playing a central role in Ireland winning the silver medal and then ‘Molly’ as she as affectionately known, added to the Irish joy by amazingly winning the European Gold Medal.
Sillogue Darkie with Michael Duffy & Ballyowen Mabel Molly with Kellie Allen at the European Championships
To recognise this fantastic achievement the two Connemara stars were invited to parade at the famous annual Clifden Connemara show.
Sillogue Darkie and Michael parade at Clifden Show
Appearing in front of a large crowd of Connemara enthusiasts from all over the world; the pair of fantastic ambassadors for the breed received a hero’s welcome as they were presented before Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív. The pair then even made an appearance on both the Six one and Nine o’clock RTE News Bulletins. Ballyowen Maybell Molly was proudly led at the parade by Pat McCormack and Sillogue Darkie was ridden by Michael Duffy. Kellie Allen couldn’t unfortunately make it as she was on holidays. To conclude another successful season Sillogue Darkie on August 30th was presented with the award for the Overall Leading Premier League Pony for 2009. This is the second year in succession that the thirteen year old gelding has achieved this feat.
THIS PAST SUMMERTIME IN CONNEMARA. The reassurance felt when scampering foals appear in the Spring each year is a hopeful feeling that despite recession at home and third world poverty and conflict abroad, at least nature is continuing as normal in Connemara.
Muilrea Mountain across the Killary
Near Ballyconneely
It’s a mare and foal’s paradise; the sun is on their backs, the fresh green grass and the long balmy days build strong bone. There are fresh windy days too with scudding clouds and cleansing rain.
Foxglove
Wild flowers fill the roadside hedgerows, fuchsia abounds
Haycocks
and the purple foxglove lift their tall spires; bog cotton blows and the common orchid hides in the tall grasses. The blooming Connemara landscape conspires to lift the spirits of humans and animals alike. too.
At Cleggan harbour
Dawn Mist and 10th foal. 4 day old filly by Smokey Idea
Dawn Mist by Ballydonagh Cassanova is out of Sea Mist; Aged 21 and not looking her age, this is her 10th foal; Dawn Mist is prizewinner in both Clifden and Dublin and her 4 day old filly foal is by Smokey Idea. Lots of Show winners in this pedigree, including grandam Gleann Rua Sea Mist, Supreme at Roundstone and many times a Champion. She belongs to Grace Murphy
- Common Orchid
Gurteen Misty and foal
The six yr old mare Gurteen Misty 2nd pictured at Roundstone is by Coral Dun and is a daughter of Gurteen Misty. (Gurteen Misty is also the dam of former Clifden Supreme Champion, Coral Misty). She is owned by Pat Mullen of Gurteen Bay. The filly foal is by Killyreagh Shadow, a son of Silver Shadow the international showjumper bred in Connemara, who has recently found a new home in Italy. Maybe a big future for this baby too?
By Ballinakill lake
Fuchsia and blue gate
Wild Honeysuckle
A corner of John McLoughlin's garden
Well known breeder of Gentle ponies, John McLoughlin not only breeds prize ponies, he also grows a beautiful garden
July night 11.15 pm
TheTheShow Secretary’s Lament:
While you’re driving back home from our local event, Perhaps you’ll be saying “How well it all went!”But you’d say something else if, like me, you had spent From dawn until dusk in the Secretary’s Tent.The ground’s in its usual terrible state, And the very first horsebox gets stuck in the gate,At last, here’s the Doctor, but where is the Vet ? And one of the Fence Judges isn’t here yet;That silly young girl has forgotten to bring The watches we need for the show-jumping ring;If I’m any judge of this Judge’s demeanour, He’s late and he can’t find the dressage arena;The barman’s complaining he can’t find the booze; There’s another complaint on the state of the loo’s;The fence mender’s wanted at three different fences; The man in the car park’s demanding expenses;The man on the commentary hiccoughs and swears With the microphone on – and so everyone hears;A parent’s insisting we’ve got the wrong score And behind her are bound to be quite a few more;A very small child, a pink purse and some keys Have been found (one in tears). “Will the owners come, please.” Excitement is rising, we are quite near the end,Not a moment too soon, or I’ll go round the bend; At last, the results – there are lots of surprises -Good grief! Where’s the man who’s presenting the prizes?As you all stream away from the rings and the course, I’m the only one there who has not seen one horse!
