It was a dry, warm and sunny day at the lovely grounds of Kilcornan House in Clarinbridge as Judges Claire Oakes and Sarah Jacob picked winners from the fine assembly of in-hand Connemara ponies brought before them at the Galway County Show. First a few of the promising young stock:
Fuinseog by Currachmore Cashel-Feenish Lady was the winning two yr.old filly who also took the all-Ireland Ballinasloe Championship qualifier. One to watch, she is owned by Caroline Lydon of Carraroe whose father Martin showed the filly.2 pics.by Sean Lydon
The Judges choice of Junior Champion to take home the Billy Horan Trophy was the yearling filly winner Ohill Silver Molly by I Love You Melody-Bealybeg Silver, owned by Moycullen’s Tom Clancy. Reserve Junior Champ was the three year old grey-dun reg. stallion Anbally Cloud by Anbally Frankie-Fairyhill Lass, bred and owned by Billy Woods of Tuam.
Grace Murphy led the 7 yr. old Smokey Biscuit by Glencarrig Prince-Smokey Star to win the Gelding class.
Martin Feeneyfrom Moycullen, the owner of the Supreme Connemara Champion of the Show, took his trophy home to Moycullen also.
His mare, the winner of the 7, 8 or 9 yr. old mare class, is Danesfield Heather by Moy Hazy Cove out of Danesfield Rose He received the John Brennan Trophy from Ruth Brennan, a granddaughter of the former Show Chairman John Brennan. Reserve Supreme went to the prolific winner Roger Joyce’s Knockillaree Tomás.
This 11 yr. old stallion , by Calla Boy-Annaghdown Dusty has had many wins under saddle also.
On Saturday, ridden Ponies day at Galway, Tulira Katie Daly and Elaine Creaven hit the jackpot once again, taking both the Working Hunter and Ridden Connemara pony classes for riders under 16 and, the icing on the cake for them, the Connemara Ridden Championship. Henry O’Toole’s stallion Janus stood Reserve with Emma O’Toole. (Sorry yours truly did not get pictures of these ponies as work for the Show took precedence over the two days).
Derrymore Paddy Finn by Cloonisle Cashel-, never one to go home without ribbons, was top of the line in the riders over 16 Ridden Connemara with Tipperary girl, Esmé Mansergh Wallace. Happily I have just received an additional photo, of the Connemara Performance Champion of the Show from photographer, Enda Noone. This is Tulira Katie Daly with rider Elaine Creaven:
