Hillsboro, MO: We received the sad news that Kerrymor’s Autumn Hope had died at age 33 at her home at the Haas family’s Sunny Slope Farm and Erin Terra Connemaras. Michelle Haas has written a wonderful tribute to Hope that I have shortened a little to show just a few of the highlights of Hope’s life. Michelle says, “ I can remember when we purchased Hope in 1990 for my sister, Nicole. Hope was 13 years old and still a spitfire. You had to tranquilize her to body clip her, you couldn't hose past halfway up her neck or she would go up in the air and she hated anything that sprayed…I can also remember one instance when her long time vet, Dr. Walsh, came into the ring while Nicole was riding her and Hope saw him and took off… There was another time when Hope had her teeth floated; Dr Walsh and I were doing a vet exam on another pony and I kept hearing this abnormal breathing noise. I said something to Dr. Walsh about the noise coming from Hope but he said she's fine...(thinking I was being silly). About two seconds later he said, ‘what is that noise?’ I said, ‘Hope’...he went running over there...she had swallowed her tongue. He tied her head up in the air and she was better. She probably did it on purpose just to mess with us!

As for my sister and I, Hope took us so many places. Nicole tried her in 1989 and our family decided to purchase her for Nicole's riding pony in March of 1990. Nicole and Hope started out in Limit Hunters, moving on to the Medium Pony Hunters and also competing in the Connemara Divisions that were still around at that time at some Hunter shows in the Midwest. Nicole and Hope brought home champions and reserves too many to list and also won many state championships. They also won some Zone awards as well. The most memorable is probably the Clifden Trophy they won several years. Hope had already won this with her previous rider/owner Kati Lents, and continued in style with Nicole. My memories of riding Hope go back to when she first arrived for my sister. I didn't have a pony at that time, so we shared Hope. Hope did double duty at shows...showing in the Medium pony division with my sister and the short stirrup division and 11 and under divisions with me. We did find a pony for me half way through the year, but as Hope had done so well for me, we still ended up with State year end awards in both divisions. I took over the reins from my sister in 1994 after we sold my small pony and my sister moved on to a large pony. By now Hope was well seasoned and knew her job perfectly. She was like sitting back in a Cadillac letting her take you for the ride of your life. She was pretty push button and I had it good. Hope taught me how to be a tactful, correct, and elegant rider. She could like any pony still have her silly moments, but she was an easy ride. Looking back now, I know how good I really had it then. Hope took me to numerous AHSA (now USEF) awards, including pony Medals too numerous to recall. She took me to many state awards in 11 and under and medium pony hunter as well. We went to Connemara shows and did well and even went to a local fair and competed in the costume class against some really good and quite fancy costumes, and won. We attended the Pony Finals in Virginia in 1995-my last year on Hope. Hope had qualified us for the regular medium ponies and the pony Medal again. That year we had a near perfect first round in the Pony Medal Finals. We were called back, one of 20 pony/rider combos from around the country, and had a near perfect round. Our final fence was a little snug and to this day I wonder how it would have ended up if it were different! However, to make to the Pony Finals is one feat, to be called back for a second round is another. There is no doubt it was all because of Hope… Probably one of the nicest awards Hope has received was in 2005 when she was awarded the Camiln Trophy by the ACPS for a purebred Connemara pony that has had a lifetime of exceptional achievements in competition. Hope has won so many things, this one award wraps everything up. I only wish everyone could have experienced the wonderful gal she was. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a "Hope" at least once in their life… Hope you were marvelous; you will be sadly and sorely missed and you are the end of an era.” Michelle also sent this poem which Nicole sent to Michelle.

I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest foal, He said.
For you to love while he's alive
And mourn for when he's dead.

It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But will you, till I take him back
Take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief
You'll have treasured memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.

I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
With trust, I have selected you.

Now will you give him your total love?
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take him back again?

I know you'll give him tenderness
And love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you've know
Forever grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him
Much sooner than you'd planned
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And someday you'll understand

Redding, CT: Carolyn R. Simmelink writes the following happier report. “I had a dream come true for me on April 6, 2008. Hideaway’s High Fidelity was born. Her mother was Lily (Notre Magic), a sensible large boned uphill TB mare, and her father was Hideaways Erin Go Bragh (Hideaways Erin Smithereen X Hideaways Centerfold). I chose this foal after years of research and put a deposit on her before she was born. I was even able to choose her name. I was confident that she would get correct early handling and care because of the professionalism of Beth Harris at Hideaway Farm. I have been a horse veterinarian since 1981 and have been a rider all of my life competing in eventing and dressage. I have always dreamed of training a horse from the start. I inherited most of the horses I have owned because no one else could ride them or keep them sound. I fell in love with the Connemara breed thanks to Nancy Burr, a former client and well known Connemara breeder. I purchased Tower Hill’s Darby Dun for my daughter and he has far exceeded expectations, winning Connemara of the Year (2008) and, more importantly to me, has been her best friend and a safe and successful competitive partner for 8 years.

Hi-Fi has brought a big smile to my face every day since she arrived. She is sociable and smart and leads in and out of the field better than the big horses. She is beautiful with large expressive eyes and is perfectly conformed. She stands for the blacksmith with no fuss and takes walks with us and gallops back to the herd to tell of the grown up thing she has done. She rushes to the fence for a scratch or treat whenever she sees me but has never been rude. Hi-Fi bonded immediately with our old pony mare and has even made friends with my bully warmblood mare. I expect her to mature to 15.3 and take my daughter to upper level eventing and me to upper level dressage. I will enjoy every step of the way thanks to her good nature and obvious talent.”

Brookfield, VT: Sarah McCrae has sent another fun “snowy” photo. She says, “Despite the frigid temperatures and 3 feet of snow the fun continues at Northern Connemaras. The deep snow provides a perfect medium for starting the youngsters. Pictured is Aluinn Dexter (Moxley Duncan x Aladdin's Dixie). He is an 8 y.o. purebred who successfully events with his rider Shannon Wallman Hatch. He is also the ring leader in the breaking colts act. He ponies them, gives them courage and is an all around reliable boy.

The second pony is a 2 y.o. colt named Aluinn Denmark (Aladdin's Denver x *Patty's Meredith). This was Denny's first time out and the first time his owner/rider (Sarah) had been on his back. He is an incredible animal like his full brother Aluinn Durango. He is very brave and unflappable at such a young age. The third pony is CJ (*Kilfenora Windy Isles x Barleycorn)ridden by Amie Francoeur. He is 3 y.o. who is also very brave and very balanced for a youngster. He is owned by Pat Hernandez and resides at Northern Connemaras for training. The photo shows (left to right) Dexter, Denny, and CJ.”

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: Foals continue to arrive in Australia….it shouldn’t be long before we get the first reports of the US’s 2009 foals! At Glenormiston Stud, Sue Clark’s latest foal is very special to her… it was a filly foal by Castle Baron out of Portadown Irish Rose. Rose came to Glenormiston at age 21 after a long career under saddle. She had had one partbred foal when she was young but hadn’t been bred since. Since Rose was the only daughter of Boden Park Rosethorn who was imported back in the late 1970’s Sue wanted a filly to keep the mare line going. Rose proceeded to have two colts but finally produced the long-awaited filly at age 24.

Boden Park Rosethorn is full sister to Boden Park Firethorn who is the dam of the premium stallion *Kilfenora Windy Isles (by Windy
Day) here in the US.