CLAREMORRIS SCHOOL OF EQUITATION SPRING SHOW 24 May ‘09
The Mayo going was heavy after recent rains and the day remained cloudy and cool but mercifully dry. The Connemara Ring had many well-filled classes for such an early- season Show and both quality and condition of ponies was excellent: and there was a fair turnout in the ridden Classes also. The lack of NAMES of ponies in the catalogue was a definite disadvantage for spectators as was the limited viewing area, along the back side of the rings only.
The Champion Pony sash went to a 13yr. old mare of substance, who had topped the line of ten mares in her Class. This was Misty by Carraroe Handy Andy X Bright Star owned by Tom Bourke of Abbeyside Stud in Claremorris for whom she has been a good brood mare since he bought her six years ago from her breeder Paul Conneely in Rosmuc.
In Reserve spot was Padraig Heanue’s recent French acquisition and winner of the stallion Class, Village Fionn by Boden Park Finnard X Village Grey. was bought as a foal in 1998 by Sophie Felix from Paddy King of Lehid, Connemara, and brought to Normandy, so this is in fact a ‘return of the native’. (see Jan. post on Village ponies)
The 3 year old filly Glencarrig Rose by Glencarrig Prince X April Rose won her Class to the delight of Kate and Amy, daughters of owner / breeder Gearoid Curran.
The winning filly foal was by Bunnymeade Obie Trice out of Silver Grey, owner Liam Reilly of Castlebar and the colt foal winner belonged to Thomas Quirke of Tuam.
In the Ridden classes, the under sixteen Class was won by a happy Valerie Lee of Oughterard with her 8 year old gelding Prince Jefferson Known as Tayto, (maybe he loves the Crisps!) this pony has been showing for only a year and is consistently in the ribbons.
Walstead Cartier by Tiercel Top Cat took the over 16 Ridden award with Ciara O’Malley on board.
Now a 7 yr old 143h.h , he was imported to Mayo some months ago by his current owner Lucy Fabby of Inishturkbeg Stud. He had been successfully shown in hand in England, having some top class results, but Lucy took on the task of backing and schooling him and Claremorris was his first ridden show . The following week he won his Ridden Class at Westport Show, qualifying for Oughterard plus the Powers Quarry Performance qualifier. (where this picture was taken). Cartier’s connections are very happy with both his behaviour and his success.
