Connemara Ridden and Working Hunter Classes at Dartfield 09
In stark contrast to last week’s Claremorris Show, the weather for the IRish Pony Society Area Show at Dartfield Equestrian Centre on Saturday last was brilliantly warm and sunny. In Galway the Red Arrows were roaring over Galway Bay while the Ocean Racing Yachts careering round the bay attracted huge crowds. Dartfield was green, peaceful and uncrowded, a better place to be I think.
Some new names and some established ones made up the entries in the Performance Connemara qualifiers for Oughterard. For Joan Geoghegan Burke’s newcomer pony, 6 yr old mare,Creggrush Réalta this was her first ridden Show and Ellen Tuck was on board. Réalta is by Castlestrange Fionn out of Cailín Dána (a daughter of Clifden and Dublin Champion Cailín Ciúin). The pair went well and picked up a third prize in the Class.
13 yr old Elaine Fahy took her Kinvara Dunguaire in both W.H. and Ridden Classes and was unlucky to tip the narrow stile fence which left her in third spot also. Kinvara Dunguaire, a 9 yr old gelding, has gained 56 SJAI points, has hunted and Pony Clubbed with his young rider who has enjoyed bringing him on for the past three years and describes him as “friendly and fun to ride” He is by Ashfield Storm Cloud out of Lahinch Lass. An up-and –coming pair to watch.
Also enjoying her pony and in the ribbons at Dartfield was petite 12 yr old Ciara Connolly with her Gleann Rua Hoodwink, known as Robin to his friends. He is by Abbeyleix Owen ex Gleann Rua Morning Mist and is a mature pony who, according to mother Mary is so honest and has always minded Ciara. This pair were 2nd in the U.16 ridden and 3rd in the Working Hunter with a smooth clear round.
The queen of Connemara mares, Tulira Katie Daly, had a field day, winning her W.H. and Ridden Classes, qualifying for the Powers Quarry, taking the Connemara Championship and also the Reserve Supreme, all with rider Elaine Creaven, who competes her with style and assurance. Another brilliant season seems to be in store for this pair who took many of the top prizes in the country last year.
Already this season they have swept the boards at the recent Northern Ireland Festival. Katie Daly is by New Beginnings out of Tulira Mary Claire and her proud breeder and owner, Lady Anne Hemphill was on hand with a bag of sweet carrots for her Katie. Dublin visitor Aine Geoghegan rode Jane Dalrymple’s bay mare , the 6 yr. old Ballyowen Clarabell by Grange Kings Surf ex Ballyowen Bonny Bell, to take first place in the O. 16 Connemara Working Hunter qualifier. This pair were also runner’s up to Philippa Scott and Emer’s Boy in the Ridden qualifier.
Emers Boy, by Westside Fred ex Hazlewood Rose, Champion Ridden Pony, rider under 16, at Oughterard last year, (made an appearance in the early stages of this blog at Ardrahan Show last year).
“he jumps, not for me, but for himself” and has already clocked up some W.H. wins in his first year of IPS competition, having previously gained 74 showjumping points. He was placed in all his W.H. classes in England at the recent BSPS winter championships.
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