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

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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.   (See Blog on Golden Older Ponies, Murphy Rebel)

 Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.  May he rest in peace

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  ThURSDAY 29 Oct:  REPORTS   ON CLIFDEN MART OCTOBER SALES, DAY ONE,    also NOW IN PAGES;  Sales, Days 2,3,4,and 5.

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 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.

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 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

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 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.

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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 25^th – 27^th 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 30^th 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.                                                     

  WWW.MARNE.IE

 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

Gurteen Misty and foal

The six yr old mare Gurteen Misty 2^nd 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! 

CONNEMARA   PONY   SPRING   FESTIVAL

Thursday, Meeting of Overseas Societies, Photo Exhibition

John Petch receives books as a token of appreciation from President Dermot Power

Karen Holloway from Tasmania where she keeps 7 Connemaras. Gemma Murphy on right.

 At the opening meeting of the four day Connemara Pony Spring Festival, overseas visitors representing the International daughter Societies discussed the operation of the Society data base.    Later that evening the exhibition of John  Petch’s evocative photos of ponies and owners at inspections 30 and 40 years ago proved a sociable opening to the Spring weekend.  Many overseas breeders were happy to renew old friendships and to meet their Connemara counterparts in comfortable hotel surroundings.  Pony enthusiasts had travelled from England, Sweden, France, Denmark, Finland, Tasmania and from the U.S. states of Virginia, Missouri, California, Florida and New York State to see the best of the breed in their home environment.

Patrick McGrath with Lucky rebel by Currachmore Cashel X Lucky Mavourneen

Rose Fitzgerald's Ceidire by Clonberne Boy X Acce Ladyrose

Skahana Skylark by Robe Earl-Caperann Lady, with Gabriel Murphy

Lungeing 3yr.old June Shadow by Glencarig Lexus-Blackwook Noella, Ann O'Brien Conroy

The three Inspectors and vet, after a busy day at Clifden, are currently heading off to other inspection centre until finally about 125 three year old colts will have been inspected nationwide.  Weather on Inspection day varied between sunshine and torrential showers as the mountains basking in warm spring sunshine quickly disappeared when dark clouds loomed overhead and opaque sheets of rain blotted out the Connemara peaks completely. Shelter was available for people but ponies were not so lucky!.  All those with any energy left after a long day moved on to the Table Quiz table organised for that night.

 Saturday was a busy but instructive day of clinics and demonstrations with a nightime lecture.

Philip Scott showing pony in-hand

Philip Scott demonstrates the art of showing-in-hand to local Pony Club members

In the morning Philip Scott was on hand wearing his judge’s hat to run a Judges Clinic. Judges and aspiring judges were invited to complete a questionnaire on four ponies presented before them in the ring.  They marked on type, conformation, and movement and their marks and comments were then analysed by Philip aided by fellow judge Nicola Musgrave. 

Farrier Martin Payne with Canal Beauty and filly foal

In the afternoon a Young Handlers course for local Pony Club members was run by this pair also where the young people were shown and practised the correct way to show and stand-up to a pony in hand.  

Farrier Martin Payne gave a most informative session on the care of the hoof and especially on the needs of the growing foal.  “If your foal stands with front toes slightly outward-facing don’t worry as this will ensure straightness at maturity”.  Demonstrating the model growth plates to his audience he explained that “a lot can be done to help correct deformity if it’s treated at an early age”.  So call your farrier in good time.  Model pony mare Canal Beauty (Monaghanstown Fred X Bunowen Beauty) and her early foal by Skousbou Morning Rock stood to attention for owners Bridget and Peter Lee even when the rain, which had stayed away all afternoon, made another unwelcome visit towards the ending of the session. 

Driving first class in Clifden

A Nutrition Workshop with Catherine Rudenko rounded off the day. 

Lecture on Thoroughbred influence

The final event of the day on Saturday was a presentation given by well-known Judge and seasoned Connemara Pony expert Elizabeth Petch,  Lib as she is generally known, is the author of the History of the Breeders Society  and her topic in this first ‘Bartley O’Sullivan Lecture’ was ‘The Thoroughbred Influence on the Connemara Pony’.

Lib Petch and husband John, picture for auction by Siobhan Bulfin

She went back to the years preceeding the foundation of the Society in 1923, to the introduction of the T.B. stallion ‘Watchspring’ to Connemara in the 1890’s.  He covered many native pony mares and was said to be the sire in 1919 of the famous jumper ‘The Nuggett’ who jumped to fame in England and in three consecutive years in the early 1930’s was Stone Wall Jumping Champion of Britain and jumped 7’2” at Olympia.  He stood 15 h.h and his dam was a native mare. Lib had many marvellous pictures on screen, including some of the T.B’s of that time and of ‘Little Model’ Dressage Champion by ‘Little Heaven’ whose dam also was a Connemara mare.  There was the equally famous ‘Dundrum’ by the Society owned stallion Little Heaven who, at 15 h.h out of a Connemara mare, jumped incredibly high to beat the best horses in Ireland and England with Tommy Wade in the 1950’s and ‘60’s.

Lib Petch, John Petch and Countess April Merveldt confab.

 But enough from me; suffice it to say that Thoroughbred blood runs in the majority of modern day Connemara ponies and was responsible for contributing to the quality, speed and jumping ability of today’s pony.  This finely researched lecture, you will be glad to hear, will shortly be published as a pamphlet. Coming up, we hope, will be a future session on the introduction of Arab and other blood, including Irish Draught.

Stallion  Parade and Dressage, Sunday

A very graceful dressage display to music took place in the interval during the Stallion Parade;

Mary Mitchell and Creemully Western Melody

this was Mary Mitchell on her 7yr old homebred all-rounder stallion Creemully Western Melody.(I Love You Melody X Creemully Heather)  This performance pony demonstrates the versatility of the Connemara with a performance record in International Showjumping, Dressage and Working Hunter.

Pattys Veuve Cosmic by Pattys Veuve Cliquet-Blue Bell, Peadar Murphy

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I got some random pictures of the many handsome stallions who were shown on Sunday, many in nasty driving rain early on in the day, but all looking fabulous and most showing a welcome increased bone as well as quality which has been occasionally missing in the recent past.  With 18 new stallions now coming on the scene since Friday’s colt inspections, and more to come, mare owners can consider themselves spoilt for choice. 

 

 

 

 

 

Linsfort Barney by Kingstown boy-Inisowen Rosie with Joe McNamara

 

 

I hope these stallion photos speak for themselves.

 

Shakelton by Streamstown Larry-Hazel Dun with Joe McCann

3 yr old Newtown Molls Pride by Fred. Hazy Match-Newtown Moll, Mairtin Nee

Knockillaree Tomas by Calla Boy-Annaghdown Dusty, Roger Joyce

Skousboe Morning Rock by Hazy Dawn-Fredericksminde Mellow,Seamus Keady

3yr old Rosscon Surprise by Templebready Fear Bui-Cooloo Lady, P.J.Watson

3yr.old Glencarrig Patrickby Glencarrig Prince-Festy Lady, Gearoid Curran

Moorland Snowy River by Laerkens Cascade Dawn-Easter Trixie, Martin Coyne

Coral Misty’s Comic by Coral Dun-Coral Misty with Declan O’Flynn

www.Marne.ie

 

 

 

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Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park

The story of the Park ponies must begin when James and Mary Ellis and family decided to move from England to this remote spot west of the Connemara mountain ranges of the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks, in 1849.  At the time poverty and famine were endemic in the area and this Quaker family came to work as benevolent missionaries in a forsaken famine-plagued land.  They were in a good financial position and purchased 1,800 acres of land, mostly bog and mountain.  Here they created a model village, Letterfrack, in the shelter of Diamond Mountain, establishing a school, a farm providing employment for large numbers, a dispensary and doctor’s house, a Meeting house, Courthouse and shop and a large family house, as well as workers’ cottages, and a Temperance Hotel.  For about a decade the family drained, planted and farmed the land and provided training and employment for local people, until ill health forced the Ellis’s to return home:  thankfully their project continued in operation.   /The property changed hands a number of times and finally came into the ownership of the Catholic Archbishop of Tuam.  An Industrial School for boys, run by the Irish Christian Brothers was constructed and opened in 1886, catering for as many as 150 boys up to the age of 16 years. Times were hard and social ‘mores’ and the justice system in Ireland at that time were not attuned to anything other than work, harsh physical punishment, and worse, for these boys, who were sometimes orphans, or minor delinquents, or simply and sadly children whose parents were unable to care for them: these child rejects of the era were sent to Letterfrack. The little headstones in the boys’ graveyard nearby tell a sad tale of small children from the age of four and up, buried there. Advantages were that the boys were fed, educated and taught a trade as well as learning to work the land. The old Ellis house was the Brothers’ residence and became known as the Monastery.

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Park Visitor Information Centre, in Winter

The Visitor Centre has an audio visual show, an interpretative centre with an excellent 3-D exhibition portraying the development of the Connemara landscape over 10,000 years, with information on the bog, land use, the human element, and flora and fauna of the area. There are activities for children based on fun with nature, while a series of evening talks on nature and wildlife in general are organised in summertime.  Information sessions on the Connemara pony are organised by an experienced Connemara Pony breeder on three afternoons a week.  If you would like to know more go to their Website at  www.npws.ie

Connemara Pony Knockdoe Walnut at RDS in 1992

Next post will be on Connemara Ponies in the Park.

Connemara West Centre and part of Furniture College to-day

 The school buildings built for the Industrial School – which closed its doors in 1973 – were purchased by the community development company Connemara West, who have since set up an employment and social and industrial complex there, second to none, in use by a multitude of organisations and offering a wide range of services. To-days students attend the School of Fine Woodworking and Design – voluntarily I might add -   and their lifestyle is a far cry from the experience of generations of their former younger predecessors incarcerated in the infamous Industrial School.

I wish to thank most sincerely all of the ‘Park People’of  the National Parks and Wildlife Service who gave me information and the use of photos, Noel Kirby, Breda Brady and  Ger O’Donnell and to the four custodians who helped out, Stephanie Brooks, Madeline Hannigan Joyce, Siobhan Cazabon Sullivan and Cathy Snow Coyne, Go raibh maith agaibh.

 PARK CONNEMARA PONIES

President Childers receives gift of Connemara Ponies from Sean Keane President CPBS

 In 1974 Six Connemara mares were selected and purchased by a Connemara Pony Breeders Society committee and presented to President Childers at Aras an Uachtaráin, to graze in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.  However, sadly, President Childers died shortly afterwards and by the late seventies the ponies had been dispersed to Agricultural Colleges or National Parks around Ireland.  

Four of the original mares were relocated in the Connemara National Park in the year before its official opening in 1980.   (The filly Silver Fort had been born to Fort Hazel in the Phoenix Park but in the Connemara Park she was a pony who apparently always wanted to be on the other side of the fence and so she was sold on to Clifden breeder Joe Gorham. With the Gorham family she was to become a top show mare and a producer of Champions for many years after. ‘Perhaps the grass on the other side was greener after all!’  See Post in July).

Ganty Heather early nineties in Connemara Park

These four were Ganty Heather by Carna Bobby X a Dun Lorenzo mare, Illiona Beauty, who was bred by Joe McNamara of Craughwell: Funny Girl, a golden dun by Cream Cracker X Lettery Tempest bred by Mrs. G. Crehan of Ballina in 1972:  Knockdoe Walnut by Marble X Walnut Brown bred by James Healy from Claregalway and Fort Hazel by Marble X Fort Sapphire bred by John Brennan of Galway. 

Funny Girl, early nineties in the Park

 

Fort Hazel

 

 

Knockdoe Walnut in Park in nineties at age 22

By 1981 the first foals were born and the native herd was comfortably settled in the natural Connemara habitat of the newly opened Park, which now stretches over 2000 hectares of spectacular wilderness. (see post on Connemara National Park)

Park Erica and foal. Park Erica was by Murphy Rebel X Ganty Heather

 

Two or three foals were born each year and between ’81 and ’96, altogether 21 ponies were foaled in the Park. The herd then averaged 10 ponies with 2 to 4 foals born annually. The breeding policy was in line with the conservation quidelines of the Park and the Park area is certainly a great shop window for the breed.  Not all youngsters stayed in their birth place; colts were generally sold at weaning and some ponies were sent to other National Parks, such as Killarney or Wicklow, to please the viewing public and enhance their Parks. 2 showing Pics  In ’92 and ’93 some Park ponies were shown at local Shows such as Galway County, Clifden, Ballyconneely, and Claddaghduff by Madeline and Park staff and some also paid a visit to the Dublin Horse Show in ‘92. In 1990 there was some excitement as the ponies in the Park were visited by Queen Beatrix of Holland and three filly foals were named in her honour after Dutch Royalty: they became Park Julianna, Park Beatrix and Park Wilhelmina.

Knockdoe Walnut at RDS with Madeline in '92, was Reserve in class

 Some progeny of Knockdoe Walnut

She is a lovely example of a Connemara pony and now alive and well at the great old age of 37, (is this a record? )She was taken to Shows in her younger days and usually came home with rosettes. at Dublin 

The last surviving mare of the original Park ponies, Knockdoe Walnut is also the last of the original Phoenix Park ponies.

Knockdoe Walnut in the Park age 35

 She is a 138cms. pony with good bone, a pretty head and a sweet nature and is very popular with children.  She is by Marble  (by Rebel Wind X Callowfeenish Dolly 2^nd) and is out of Walnut Brown (by Clonjoy X Derry Glen Rebel.) Pic Walnut in Park She was bred near Claregalway by James Healy and had several foals including one filly Park Maeve, by Loobeen Larry who grew quite tall although Walnut was a relatively small pony.  Park Maeve’s daughter, Park Stephanie by Abbeyleix Owen is currently used at Errislannon as a ‘school mistress’ pony as she was gifted to Stephanie Brooks on leaving the Park after many years of service. (This pony appears in the blogs August Post ‘posing’ as a creel-carrying pony in the Working Ponies display. Requisitioned at short notice, that morning was the first time she had seen or carried creels, so with her docile nature ( like her grandam Walnut) she carried it off without protest.  Park Stephanie is much loved by the Pony Club children at Errislannon).  Walnut also foaled a gelding son Park Peppermint by Murphy Rebel.

Knockdoe Walnut January 09 in the Park at 37

 

Knockdoe Walnut with Cathy Snow Coyne '07. Pic R.Downes

An early custodian was Stephanie Brooks of Errislannon Rding Centre. She writes fondly of the ponies in her book ‘Sea Horses’, and during her term there and also during the stewardship of Madeline Hannigan (who came in ’92 and cared for the ponies  ‘til ’98), the young stock were regularly taken to Errislannon for backing and training for riding. Madeline and the custodian who succeeded her, Siobhán Cazabon from ’98 to 2005, and currently Cathy Snow Coyne and husband Martin (now 4 years in the job), all give great care and attention to the Park ponies, looking after their every need and giving talks and demonstrations to visitors during the Spring and Summer months.  Stables, which were built soon after the Park opened to the public, were unfortunately damaged by a fire in the early days but have since been rebuilt and are used as needed, for instance when the custodian gives talks on the history and management of the ponies  The Connemaras of course live out all year round; in the summer some are to be seen in the park area near the visitor centre until they are moved to winter grazing in the late Autumn.  Since 2003 the Connemara Pony Breeders Society has taken the lease on over 100 acres and they now manage and care for the ponies

Stables at the Park

 

  WWW.MARNE.IE 

Blaithin and Ardnore Sea Breeze in Park Feb 09

There are currently 8 ponies in the Park, some of them young stock, and three mature mares. Ganty Walnut is of course the Queen and next in line is Ardnore Sea Breeze by Abbeyleix Owen X Sea Bird who has had quite a few foals and Blaithín who is byWings of Victory X Ervelough Niamh by                                                                                                                             If you know of or have pictures of any other Park ponies, please feel free to send them on for the blog.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW  ??

 Some progeny of Ganty Heather

Ganty Heather’s  daughter Park Erica, (seen in part 2) by Murphy Rebel, was a Clifden prizewinner, taking a 2^nd in a mare class. 

Park Larry in Denmark in 2008

Park Larry a chestnut gelding by Loobeen Larry X Ganty Heather, had a top-class showjumping career with the O’Brien family of Athenry, and is now still jumping in Denmark at the age of 21. Erica’s colt foal in ’96 was named Park Rebel.  He is a bay gelding by Loobeen Larry.         Some welcome news in red below on Park Rebel which I, mea culpa, forgot to add to this Post before now.   

RachelPosted September 6, 2009 at 9:22 pm | Permalink | Edit

Hi! The pony above, Park Rebel, is my pony, currently living in Norway. He spent a while jumping in England with William Whitaker and then Chloe Lowther. Since bringing him to Norway i have won a grand prix on him and he is the sweetest most honest pony in the world. Recently we have had some problems and he hasnt been enjoying himself in the ring but still loves to fly at home. He is my baby boy and i will never sell him, he is the greatest.       Rachel Gilbert

Park Rebel, Eric's son by Loobeen Larry

Park Wren, an ‘04 daughter of Park Erica by Annilaun Archie is now a promising dressage prospect with Siobhán Cazabon and Wren’s foal by Janus is due shortly. Another Ganty Heather’s daughter, Park Heather also produced foals for the Park. These included Park Osric by Annilaun Oscar. 

Some Progeny of Fort Hazel 

Park Filbert with Eoin Ryan in 1977Seen here jumping in fine style at a P.C. Championship cross-country course in Askeaton

Park Wilhelmina was a daughter of Fort Hazel and was by by Loobeen Larry. 

Park Wilhelmina with Madeline at Dublin in '92

She is seen here at Dublin in ‘92 with Madeline.

Some progeny of Funny Girl. 

Funny Girl, a golden dun that Mrs Brooks felt had been in the wrong hands for a time after leaving the Phoenix Park,she carried permanent scars and was always afraid of men or any strangers and remained forever hard to catch. 

Park Beatrix in the Park in '07

Her foals, Park Fieldfare, and Park Maoilean, were both by Loobeen Larry, while Park Julianna  and Park Beatrix (Maoilean’s daughter by Ashfield Alex) were two of the ‘Royalty’ ponies.

***In relation to the piece on Knockdoe Walnut and her great age, Nicky Crosby has been in touch about another recently deceased aged Connemara pony. 

“Something that may or may not be of interest to you:  Baby Perry Reg 5587 Dun Connemara Born 1972 has only 2 weeks ago passed away.  She was a great age at 37 and served all of our family well.  My father purchased her and her half sister Atlantic Star in Connemara back in the 70’s. 

Baby Perry aged 37, owner Nicola Crosby

 Baby Perry was by Rebel Wind ex Star of Tully she was a trooper of a pony and loved a good gallop in the fog! She won at Spiddal and in Working Hunter and Connemara classes in the 80’s and 90’s.  She was also used as one of our riding school ponies.  Perry was the last of our “old” stock and will be sadly missed ”.

 WWW.MARNE.IE     

Funeral of Paddy King in 2004 with Village Ponies being led in front of hearse

 Paddy King of the Village Pony Line   Village Grey photos are by Sophie Felix

Paddy King at Clifden Show

In Lehid near Ballyconneely, in the early 1940’s, the late Paddy King unknowingly founded a pony dynasty.  The King family had always had a working pony and cart (his brother Christy remembers a small black unregistered mare) on their small farm in this rugged Connemara region with pockets of good grazing land scattered here and there. The Village pony line started when Paddy bought the Heather Bell mare, Lucy Grey (1937), from Val Diamond of nearby Mannin.  Lucy Grey produced Village Swallow (1944) by Clough Rebel.  Swallow won mare classes at Clifden in ‘56 and ’58 and had a Dublin Spring ‘Show win in 1960 and was then sold to England. Paddy never kept more than two mares at a time, but he kept Village Swallow’s daughter, Village Belle .(1956) by Calla Rebel, for 22 years and she produced a line of good ponies – in all 19 foals – whose breeding is found in some of the best ponies of today.   17 of these foals born at Lehid for Paddy. 

Pat Aengus performance pony with Gerry Dillon 1981

There is such an extraordinary number of champion ponies in the Village Line of Connemara ponies, both inside Ireland and abroad, that it would take volumes to do justice to all of them.  Breeder and author Lib Petch, who owned the broodmare Village Belle in Belle’s later years, has well documented many of them in Volume 3 of ‘An Capaillín’, published in 2003 by the Breeders Society and available from the Society Office in Clifden.  Pat Aengus (1975) was a gelding son of Belle’s b y Dun Aengus, a top show-jumper and Ridden pony winner of the 1980’s.

Village Grey a daughter of Village Belle

Paddy passed away in 2004 and his brother Christy speaks modestly of him as a ‘quiet man who had some knowledge of the ponies’ and the small well-kept family farmhouse still displays rosettes, trophies and RDS Silver Medals won by Paddy’s  beautiful ponies.

Village Grey with foal, (now Village Fionn in France) at Lehid

‘Some knowledge’ turned out to be the gift of a very keen eye and perception of what makes a good Connemara pony, if the popularity and show ring successes of the today’s progeny are anything to go by.  

I plan only to touch on some Village ponies, starting with one of Belles’ daughters Village Grey(1976),. by Abbeyleix Owen..  Photographs show her to be a beautiful example of ‘old type’ Connemara mare, with fine head, good limbs, bone and conformation to match. 

Village Grey with last foal Village Swan

Village Boy Reserve Supreme Champion 2006 with Tommy O Brien

Village Laddie competing in Scotland in 1995

Village Girl at Lehid

Village Grey lived all of her 30 years at Lehid and bred 18 foals, including 7 stallion sons, 3 of which remained in Ireland. Among these are stallions Robin Hood (1982), Village Boy (1989) and Village King (1990). The first and last foals were fillies  In 1980 came First Love and her last foal Village Swan by Innellan Kestrel was foaled in 2001 and is with Michael Conneely of Ardbear.   While some went abroad, manyof her progeny stayed in Ireland and have been breeding some very good ponies. Village Prince(1994), Village Fionn (1998)  and Village Laddie (1985) now a performance gelding in Scotland.  Sires used were Skryne Bright Cloud, Murphy Rebel, Mervyn Kingsmill and Boden Park Finnard and Coral Prince.   Among the daughters were First Love1980, Harvest Home1981, both by Skryne Bright Cloud, Village Queen 1984, by Murphy Rebel and Village Girl (1988) by Mervyn Kingsmill.    Village Grey died in 2007 at the age of 32.   

******  From Sophie Felix in Normandy, France, comes another Village Pony story.  Village Fionn 1998,  is by Boden Park Finnard X Village Grey)

 ”Hi,
I live in France, Normandie, and I bought Village Fionn at 6 months from Paddy King at Lehid;
our beautiful stallion producing very nice foals; I am very proud of him!  He was Supreme Champion in Belgium.
Everybody is wellcome to get some of his news and pictures ( by the way the picture of the head of Village Grey, the one with the foal who is my Fionn, are mine!)
elevagedesvauts@wanadoo.fr
lesvauts.skyrock.com “

Village Fionn with Championship Sash

He is now

Sophie Felix has kindly sent this stunning photo of Fionn. 

Sophie also included another photo of Village Boy taken in 1993 with Tommy O’Brien.   

Village Boy with tommy O'Brien in 1993

Village Star

Paddy King at Clifden Show

Village Laura won the Supreme championship in Clifden 1987

Village Laura now aged 26 with Padraig Hynes at Canal Stage

Her bay stallion son Canal Laurinston (1990) has had a top flight career in California, having been Outstanding Performance Stallion, California and American Show Ring Champion 1991 to 2006. 

Stars daughter Castle Dame by Mervyn Kingsmill

Castle Comet with Vanessa Compton

Castle Urchin who now carries on the Star line at Castle Connemara ponies has also taken the Village ponies winning streak into the present day, having most recently been Supreme Champion at Clifden in 2007, a feat she also achieved in 2002. She had also been Reserve Champion in ’01 and ’03 and R.D.S. Connemara Pony Champion in ’04 and Reserve Dublin Champion in 06.  Urchin’s  young filly, Castle Jewel by Fredericksminde Hazy Match, has taken the winning ways of the Village ponies into a new generation by winning classes in Clifden in ’07 and ’08. 

Grandaughter of Star Castle Urchin Clifden Supreme 07

Castle Squire by Abbeyleis Owen - Village Star with John Varley

 Castle Squire (1991) by Abbeyleix Owen, is another stallion son of Star to carry on the line, and the prizewinning mares Castle Cailín Ard ot of Castle Dame and Mountain Lady by Village Boy as well as the performance stallion Cashel Bay Prince and many more all carry into the future the genes of this extended Village family. All this breeding goes back to Village Belle via her daughter Village Star and their breeder, the late Paddy King of Ballyconneely.

www.marne.ie  

  He is now retired from the show ring and has bred numerous progeny in England.

 First to arrive was Castle Lady by Boden Park Joey and then a string of filly foals and some colts followed.  They included Village Laura (1982) by Thunderbolt who created a record by winning the Dublin Championship three years running for Padraig Hynes, starting in 1987. A frequent winner at Clifden over 16 years, Laura had also taken the Supreme Championship there in ’87.  She was a great brood mare also producing 26 foals, many well known in the showing world. 

 Village Star

Village Star with Paddy King won the 4 yr old mare Class Clifden 1975

I received this interesting and very frank information – following my posts on the Village ponies – from Kathryn Raynor Freeman, Chairperson of NPS America, who provides another link in the ever lengthening chain of Village  ponies worldwide.  I thought viewers might be interested so here it is.

Village Prince by Coral Prince - Village Grey in the U S.

“Village Prince (1994, by Coral Prince out of Village Grey) is a wonderful stallion and sadly underutilized here in the US. He is owned by Royal Connemaras in Clayton CA.

He has been used more for cross breeding than purebred breeding as his owner is an upper level event rider, with more interest in eventing than Connemara breeding. The crosses (mostly Arab and Thoroughbred I believe) have been quite nice and have had a lot of success in the eventing and dressage world. To the best of my knowledge, there are only about a dozen (more or less) purebred Village Prince foals.

Free Rayn Majesty by Village Prince with her dam Hideaways Irish Mist

Free Rayn Majesty by Village Prince out of Hideaways Irish Mist (Rocky x Hideaways Celebration)

2008 filly – called “Maggie”. Real sweet filly with very big movement – very athletic. She is more “horsey” than her half sister (gets that from her dam I think). She also has a unique mix of bloodlines. The Hideaways are known for their performance abilities here in the US – but her maternal grandsire was Rocky – who I think only produced two (?) fillies – the other I know of being Castle Caillin Ard.

Wildwych Mooncusser  2008 filly owned by Wildwych Connemaras in   She spent a few weeks at my farm before going home to Colorado. One of the calmest and sweetest fillies I’ve ever seen. Very feminine and tiny – you can see that in the photo of her, my older daughter, and one of my Village Prince babies named Free Rayn Tsunami.

Wildwych Mooncusser and Free Rayn Tsunami with Kathryn's elder daughter

Wildwych Mooncusser on left

by Village Prince out of Wildwych Luna (Glenormiston Flurry Knox x Tower Hills Fiona)

Filly foal Free Rayn Tsunami at three weeks

Free Rayn Tsunami 2008 filly – called “Percy”. She has correct gaits, good bone and seems more “pony-like” than some of her relatives. She has an interesting mix of Australian, Irish and US bloodlines.

Midsummer Knight by Village Prince out of MGRM Caliope (MGRM Rock N Roll x RBR Miss Patrice)

We call him “Seamus” – 8 year old gelding we have owned since a yearling. Fantastic pony – what he lacks in traditional type – he makes up for with wonderful temperament and great performance ability.

Gelding Midsummer Knight with Erin Freeman

He has been ridden by many pony club kids since he began his training and is a very safe and forgiving mount. My older daughter is now riding him and will be eventing him this year. He loves to run and jump, yet can also have the necessary fluid movements for dressage. He has a true pony character and always surprises us with some humorous situation or deed. He even puts up with an “old lady” like myself riding him in a mock fox hunt.

He comes from the first crop of Village Prince foals. His mare line is, in my opinion, weak – which may account for his lack of type – but he is a gelding – not breeding stock and he makes a wonderful ambassador for the versatility of the Connemara breed.”

  www.marne.ie

Village Grey’s family 

Village Heather Supreme Champ Galway County Show 08 with Padraig Hynes

Village Grey’s grandaughters now regularly top the line in the Showring.  Among these are Village Linnet (2003)by Laerkens Cascade Dawn who arrived with her dam, Village Girl in 2004 to Henry O’Tooles Castle Stud,  and has more recently, on two occasions won both Clifden and Dublin.  Pat O’Neill has Village Mist (1993) by Coral Prince X Vilage Girl, and she and her progeny are also winners.  Padraig Hynes’ Village Heather (1999) by Boden Park Finnard X Village Girl has been All-Ireland broodmare Champion, Midland and Galway Champion and has won many other awards.

Village Linnet wins her class at the RDS in 2996

Village Boy (1989) had been Reserve Supreme.at Clifden and two of his sons, Ann O Brien Conroy’s Glencarrig Lexus out of Coosheen Breeze and Fred Gannon’s Clonberne Boy (1999) out of Irishtown Beauty have both been Clifden Stallion winners.  

Glencarrig Lexus All Ireland Supreme Roundstone 07

Lecarrow King by Village Boy - Lecarrow, Canal Stage 2008

 Another son Bunowen Castle Ri (1998) out of Bunowen Castle Queen, has swept the boards in England, both at HOYS and Olympia ’05 and Olympia ‘07 where he has been at the pinnacle of Mountain and Moorland showing,  both in hand and ridden by Vanessa Compton.   A younger stallion son Lecarrow King (2001) out of Lecarrow recently went to England.

www.marne.ie  

Clonberne Boy Supreme Midlands Show 07 and Clifden Stallion Class winner 07

 www.marne.ie  

Emma Clancy and daughter Abbey take Hazel and Colonel for a St Stephen's Day outing

A seasonal picture.  Emma Clancy and daughter Abbey enjoy a guiet St. Stephen’s Day ride on Hazel and Colonel on a bog road near Moycullen, Co.Galway. 

Wishing you all a very peaceful and relaxed Christmas season and the very best of everything for you and your Connemara ponies in 2009.

“ Nollaig Shona   Happy Christmas   Joyeux Noel   Glaedelig Jul   Hyvaa joulua   Frõliche Weihnachten   God Jul   Feliz Navidad   Buona Feste Natalizie ”

 This old retired mare, she will be 35 in Jan 09, is still hale and hearty in her home field near Moycullen west of Galway. She is the last of a line – the last of the Carna Bobby mares still living - and is owned by Judy Cazabon, now living in Cleggan, for whom she was a wedding present as a foal from James Regan of Moycullen.

Enda Keane with Drimcong Rose

Carna Bobby was aged 27 when he covered Rose’s dam Atlantic Shower who was by Mac Dara.   Drimcong Rose (6375), was foaled in January 1974, and the breeding line traces back to Connemara Boy and of course to Cannon Ball on the sire’s side. (See below for info. on Carna Bobby)                                                         

Ist place at Cashel Show with Lady Hemphill and Val Moran

    Carna Bobby   For those of you who may not be familiar with the Carna Bobby name I will give a brief C.V.  By Gil and out of Carna Dolly (foaled in 1936), who was a winner both in the show ring and on the Pony racing scene before taking over maternal duties.  It is likely that both parents carried a percentage of thoroughbred blood mixed with native Connemara genes, Carna Bobby tracing back to Cannon Ball through Rebel, ie. The Blue Line.    Carna Bobby was bred in 1946 by Pat Mulkerrin of Carna and proved to be one of the most influential sires of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s in Connemara.  A Society owned stallion, he stood with Jack Bolger in Oughterard for his first three years and then was moved to various stallion-masters throughout Connemara during the following ten years and altogether sired 88 registered progeny.  He sired many more during his later life when in private ownership with Paddy Lally in Gort in East Galway, from 1961 until he died in 1973, and one of these was Drimcong Rose.             

Carna Bobby with Jack Bolger

For further information , if you go to my website at www.marne.ie  ,Ardcru Books, you will read more in ‘A Way with Horses’ on the Bolger family and Carna Bobby. 

Derrymore Paddy Finn

 Best known as a regular winner of Ridden Connemara and Side-saddle classes with rider Esme Mansergh Wallace, this Cloonisle Cashel – Goodbye My Love gelding has rarely been out of the first three, and on numerous occasions has stood  top of the line in six years of Show Ring appearances.  After two years with Shane and the O’Dochartaighs, during which time he won both Working Hunter, Connemara and Show Hunter Ridden Classes with Aideen and Working Hunter and Derby Classes with Shane,

Early days with Aideen at Galway County Show

Esme and Paddy Finn win Side-saddle and Reserve Championship

Supreme at Oughterard '05 Ruth Rodgers

RDS wins. In ‘04, ‘06 and ‘07 he won RDS red rosettes in Side Saddle and Connemara Pony Ridden Classes at the Dublin venue  

In 2005 he came 1st in the Gowla Ridden Final over 16 ( with Esme) and was Ridden Supreme Champion Pony of the day and Supreme Champion Ridden Connemara Pony at Oughterard Show.  

Over these years his rider took the Best Side-saddle Rider Awards at the RDS and  IPS Awards, three years running and the pair have had recent success in Equitation classes receiving the IPS Ridden Equitation Pony and Rider of the Year Award in 06.  He has

Winning at Dartfield in '08

also been Champion Ridden Mountain and Moorland  pony in 07 and 08.  Each of his riders speak well of this clever intelligent pony, who can show a mischievous side on occasions but on the whole is a good and faithful servant.

P.S.  In Jan ‘09 he was awarded the IPS large Breeds M.and M. accolade for the second year running.

www.marne.ie

dun pony who where when

I am looking for help from all you Connemara Pony fans everywhere.   I have, over the past few months, identified many ponies, people and locations from the 46 picture Connemara Pony Poster published in 1983. 

man holding pony

The photos are not captioned and I feel that if names are not resurrected soon, some will remain always unknown. 

 I have had lots of help so far in this project from many different people  both at home and abroad. 

white mare black foal

  Iff you think you recognise any of the pictures now presented, please get in touch with me at  niamhodoc@eircom.net .  Thank you

October 30, 2008 at 6:30 pm (Connemara pony, horses, pony) (Impressions of Maam Cross Fair, Foal of the Fair, Kilmacduagh Princess)

Going back many years, certainly hundreds if not more, the Fair at Maam Cross is an amazing event, not just because of the huge crowds who congregate in their thousands there on the last Tuesday in October, but because of the variety of goods and animals on sale.  Everything from large coloured horses to their tiny horse relatives, to donkeys, goats, puppies, hens, geese and ducks to Connemara Pony geldings, mares and foals of all ages and sizes. Traders and food wagons line the Clifden road. Cars, horse and cattle trailers, lorries and every sort of motor conveyance line the four roads converging on the Cross and Peacockes hotel, bar and restaurant does a roaring trade.  Parking is now regulated by many Gardai and yellow bollards flourish in an effort to keep three of the main roads open.  Walkie talkies keep through traffic regulated.  Families, the children well wrapped up from  the cold wind, older Connemara men in tweed caps puffing pipes, who have been coming here for years, young couples saunter forth, the sun shines and the blue sky and timeless mountains cheer the heart until the next downpour when the whole sky darkens ominously again and vendors are heard to say, ‘no good staying here, you’d get more money for a sheep here today, it’s such a terrible day’; when suddenly it’s over and the sun comes out again to thaw frozen hands and faces. And they don’t go home yet because they might miss someone, an old friend who also comes each year to this gathering. The Fair reminds me of stories of the Patrún or Pattern celebrating a feast day of long ago, the Samhain marking the time of year when farmers sold their crops and surplus animals before the onset of Winter. “The Irish name for the Crossroads is ‘An Teach Doite’ the burned house – (a reference to the Bogman’s Ball event where steaks were cooked on shovels and fire was often the result!).     Traditionally Maam Cross has been a trading post for livestock and good s for hundreds of years, the location of a monthly fair and the October horse fair which still exists today”. (from the Website of Maam Cross Mart)  Nowadays there are Cups and prizes for the best filly and colt foals of the Fair and the winning filly this year belonged to John Flaherty of Gort, Co.Galway. 

Filly Foal of the Fair

www.marne.ie    for books info

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The Hall of Fame Awards for the year 2008 were presented at the Annual Social of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society on November 1st this year.  It was the 2nd year of these Awards which celebrated both long-standing Breeders and Performance Connemara Pony Owners  After dinner Tomás Mac Loclainn (representing President Dermot Power unavoidably absent) and Society Treasurer Gearóid Curran  presented the honours to the following: (see group picture)

Hall of Fame Awards

 Back L to R.: Philip Mc Manus, owner of Silver Shadow Grade A Showjumper.  Beatrice Murphy, Breeder/Owner of Performance Stallion Gleann Rua Maxwell.  Lady Anne Hemphill,  Breeder/Owner of Performance mare Tulira KatieDaly.  Bartley O’Maille with his brother Thomas have stood a stallion for the Society since 1979,  currently standing Moy Johnny’s Pride.  Peter Molloy, Lifelong Breeder of Dooneen Ponies.  Eamon Briscoe, Owner of Sillogue Darkie, Grade A Showjumper.  Michael Mitchell, Breeder of Western May by Moy Hazy Cove out of Western Lady    Bobby Bolger, Lifelong Breeder with Coral Prefix.   Front: Lorna Murphy, Pony Rider of Champion Stallion Maxwell.  Mary Mitchell, rider of Western May, Dressage Ireland National Connemara Champion 08.  Eamon Hannan, Breeder, Past President and long serving Council Member.  Lib Petch, Breeder, Judge, Writer on Connemara. Ponies   Mrs Michael Lenihan, her late husband was the Breeder of Silver Shadow.

Ciaran Briscoe and son Ciaran

Sillogue Darkie by Ard  Talisman – Coillchru Esmerelda                           Ciaran Briscoe writes  “Sillogue Darkie, owned, bred and trained by the Briscoe family from Co. Louth, ‘Darkie’ or ‘Sillogue’ as he is affectionately knlwn, is one of the highest profile performance ponies in Ireland today.  Still only 12 years old the registered gelding from the famous Grange Sands Sparrow lineage has been winning nationally and internationally on the Irish showjumping circuit since the age of seven. The Briscoe family, well known breeders of both Connemara ponies and pedigree Charolais cattle, have seen success in the form of numerous Grand Prix’s, National Championships and prestigious RDS championship victories.   Internationally, under the charge of now well known Irish young stars
David Blake, AlexBuller and Benedict Kuehnle, Sillogue Darkie had individual and Nations Cup wins in Belguim, Italy, France, England and Holland to his credit.  Sillogue Darkie, with recent rider Jessica Burke aboard, was a Carrying the same form into 2008 the pair dominated the Premier Pony League finishing far ahead of their rivals, with Grand Prix wins at Louth County Show, Ballymena and Mullingar.”

leading light on the Irish team that captured the Pony European Championships at Freudenberg, Germany. 

Connemara Pony Quadrille 08

 

Ml and Mary Mitchell with Gearoid Curran

a homebred mare who distinguished herself recently by winning the Connemara Performance Championship at the Dressage Championships in Necarne. This bay mare, only in her second year of Dressage, had also been a member of the Ireland Team-and the only pony- who competed against horses at the Home International Dressage Championships in the U.K. this year. 

Dressage at Necarne 08

She is ‘an onward going pony and easy to work with’ and has been in the first three at most of the Dressage she atended, mainly in North Munster and Connacht.  Her full brother is the Show-jumper Western Haze

 

Western May has been Show-jumped successfully by Mary’s son Luke and they hope to continue with both the Show-jumping and the Dressage over the winter and on into next year.

 

 

 

Silver Shadow by Cloonisle Cashel – Poetic Moonlight.                                                      

 Bred by Michael Lenihan of Claregalway and owned by Galway Vet Philip McManus, this 10 year old stallion has scaled the heights of 148cms. Pony Show-jumping in a relatively short period of time.At Moorsele in Belgium and Aach in Germany Silver also jumped ‘wonderful clear rounds’.

Tom MacLochlainn Philip McManus gearoid Curran

 Both the sire and the dam have a good deal of Carna Bobby and a fair sprinkling of Clonkeehan Auratum in their pedigree, and the performance and quality genes are strong in Silver Shadow.  A late starter in Show-jumping as a six year old he was brought to grade A level  by Philip’s son John and since ‘07 has been competed Nationally and Internationally by 13 year old Michael Duffy, son of Paul Duffy Jun.and Kathryn.  The Duffy family have enjoyed travelling the country and abroad with Silver to many Shows this season, as they were focusing on the European Championships this year and  Michael and Silver were first reserve on the squad of  7.   For Michael the highlight of the year was to be a member of the Irish Pony team who came 2nd in the Nations Cup at Fontainbleu in April. 

At Fontainbleau;

 They competed in many of the Pony Premier League qualifiers throughout Ireland, coming overall 3rd in this League.  Many of the fences were at the 1m.30 level and this pony always jumped clear. He has been mentioned as the next ‘Dexter’, this was a pure-bred French Connemara stallion, recently retired, who had reached the top in European Show-jumping circles.   

With Team Trainer Ian Fearon

 Silver Shadow is described by Kathryn as ‘gentle as a bear with a wonderful temperament, honest as the day is long and very much part of the Duffy family’.  They have great hopes for him for next year. 

http://marne.ie/ 

For Other Award winning Performance Ponies, Gleann Rua Maxwell and Tulira Katie Daly, visit archive months July, August, September for pictures.

Other  Award Winners not present on the night were   John Luskin, Stephanie Brooks and Margo Dean’

Eamon Hannan and Philip McManus

More pics of Award recipients. Pics courtesy Tom Broderick and Eoin ODochartaigh                             http://marne.ie/ 

Elizabeth Petch

Award winner Bartley O Maille

                      

Bobby Bolger and Brid with Award

                                 

Award winner Beatrice Murphy

Peter Molloy receives Award from Gearoid Curran

Lady Anne Hemphill and Tom MacLochlainn

 The October Pony Sales began in Clifden on Thursday 23rd and they continued for five days this year until Monday 27th.  Sales business had been brisk in early 2008, following a period which saw some of the highest prices ever paid for a Connemara pony.  But the recent downturn in the economy has kicked in to the Pony Trade. Stallions, in foal mares and fillies are still selling fairly well but prices for colt foals and geldings are well down with some bids for them not reaching more than a few hundred Euro in the ring.   A Report on some of the figures for day one, Geldings and Riding Ponies, has come in from Grace and I will try to transfer most of it into the blog

Day 1 of the Sales – Thursday  Report  from Grace, Thursday 23 October 2008

Attached are photos of two ponies I pictured at the Clifden Sales yesterday(Thursday), a snippet of the action.

Highest Priced Gelding Lot 141

The first is lot 141 a 5yr old gelding x Templebready Fear Bui out of Coisdeel Dawn x Glencarrig Finn. Looking to be a show quality pony and already having a bit done (training shows etc) I believe he topped the sales at €5300.

Lot 178

The second is lot 178 a 5 yr old gelding by Golden Park Prince – Gath Greine. I thought he was a nice pony but disappointing for some at only 14hh. He made €3200.  Lot 190 was a 4yr old hunter type bay by Callowfeenish Mairtin – Hazy Lady. He had competed at training shows etc and having been fully clipped out he looked the part. He made €2800. One of the more interesting lots of the day was lot 155 a full brother to the champion Blackwood Fernando. By Ferdia out of Dancing Queen, this 10yr old, who had placings in Hoys qualifiers to his name, left the ring unsold at €4200.
The average type gelding was making the €2000-3000 and the better quality gelding fetched a bit more, between €4000-5000 but on a whole I thought vendors were not being rewarded for having their ponies broken and riding
Regards, Grace

 Sunday and Monday Clifden Mart

October 29, 2008 at 5:17 pm (Connemara pony, Pony Sales Clifden, Pony Shows, pony)

Jim Mullaney from Moycullen received one of the better prices on Monday for his colt foal Lissroe Fionn, Lot 1038, by Monahganstown Prince out of his own mare Lissroe Lady. He believes this well-grown bay with a white star will make a fine riding pony while his buyer, Niall Smith, who keeps 7 Connemara ponies at home in Carlow, and paid €1300 for his purchase,.

 

Lot 838 Filly foal

  
 
Filly foal prices were quite good for the prettier and well-bred fillies and bids quickly reached up to €2000 for some of these. A cream-dun filly foal, Lot 838 by Sweetwall Captain Courageous-Western Sparrow Lass,  was bid to €2,200 on Sunday, a bid turned down by her breeder, Larry Gohery from Tynagh, who hoped to get a better price later. The foal’s dam is an 11 yr. old dun by New Beginnings out of Grange Finn Sparrow and has show-jumped and hunted, so he has high hopes for the foal.
 

Fifteen year Sean P. Nee of Renvyle had received an offer of  €4000 for his dappled grey 4 yr. old mare, College Park Star, Lot 711, who is scanned in foal to Lecarrow King.  By Kilmore Diamond – Kenny Lodge Pearl, (a Murphy Rebel mare)   She is a quiet and good-natured 145cms. and he was happy to take her home if she didn’t make a better price

P.S.  I am gradually replacing the pictures which had disappeared from this weblog.  I hope I can get them to stay in place this time.  Back to the drawing board now.  Niamh     

The Connemara Pony Sales were extremely busy for all five days. A team of auctioneers put close on 1300 lots swiftly through the ring from 10am each morning.   While quality was varied and the numbers of foals was well up on previous years, prices were definitely down and it was very much a buyers market now A large marquee accommodated the Sales this year, more spacious than the smaller circular mart ring next door, but lacking the access to high seating which made the old ring a perfect viewing venue. The stewards did an efficient job in getting the large numbers of ponies into and out of the sales ring, often manhandling or matching strength with the strong, unhaltered and sometimes reluctant foals.  

 

 Mirah Hector     Rider Emily McCann, Wicklow

.

Here is a Connemara pony worth looking at, a striking 7 yr old dark-dappled grey gelding with a sterling performance record in the past two seasons.   He is by Westside Mirah out of Cruby Hill    He was bred by Seamus Keane of Ballinasloe and bought by Deborah McCann from John and Maeve Riordan of Lishmar Connemara Pony Stud, in 07.   He was backed by daughter Emily who says that ‘Hector has a fabulous temperament and loves attention’

 In ‘07 he was placed 3^rd in the Powers Quarry Performance Championship at Oughterard.  He won the Champion CPPA Overall Working Hunter Pony Award when his rider Emily also took the over

Oughterard Championships 08

16 Rider Championship. And he has been Reserve Champion !.P.S. Working Hunter Spring League 07 as well as Reserve Champion in the Wicklow Area Working Hunter Points Awards.  At Clifden ’08 he took 1^st in his Working Hunter Class. 

 

The pair have won over 80 rosettes in two years of competing.  Hector has also hunter trialled and competed in inter-schools show-jumping.  He was 2^nd in the two dressage tests that he competed in.

He has been awarded many Championships in his two years on the circuit and his   most recent Championship win in Sept this year was All Ireland Ridden Connemara Gelding ’08 in Claremorris.  Deborah McCann contacted us to report on the sad demise of her outstanding young pony Mirah Hector (Westside Mirah X Cruby Hill) in late January.  Apparently having got out of his field, this much loved pony of daughter Emily, helped himself to the feed bins and in the space of a few hours during the family’s absence, he had died and left a huge gap in his owners lives.  They had had two very enjoyable and successful years together and he will be much missed.  See more on Mirah Hector in the October Post.

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Kingstown Dana at home with Malachy Gorham

Kingstown Dana, winner of the 8 to 9 year old mare class at Clifden, was also awarded the prestigous Supreme Championship of the Show on August 21st this year.  She is pictured here with her filly foal relaxing at home at Glenbrikeen Farm outside Clifden with her owner / breeders Joe and Malachy Gorham. 

Dana is by Monaghanstown Prince out of Kingstown Silver and her owners remind her of her exciting day out when she won quite a few trophies

Champion Dana and inquisitive filly foal

including the Jan Harald Koelichen Cup, the French Society Championship trophy and the Val Moran Memorial Cup and the RDS medallion as well as a number of crystal vases.                                                          

http://marne.ie/ardcrubooks.html