Hamilton, GA: Four ACPS Region IV members and their Connemara partners turned out for the Poplar Place November Schooling Show. As shown in the photo (from left to right), Sparrow's Owen (*Grange Finn Sparrow X QH) and Megan Harris, Rivendell's Mr. Bubbles (*Grange Finn Sparrow X ID) and Claire Robinson, Dynamic Image (ID X Conn/TB) and Devon Brown, and *ArdCeltic Art (Monaghanstown Fionn X Moydow Lady) and Donna Miller. Megan and Owen competed in two jumper divisions earning a 2nd and a 3rd. Claire and Bubba completed their first Training Level Combined Test, receiving a 1st place for their cumulative score of 42.5. Devon and Donna competed against one another in the 3'9" jumper class bringing home a 1st and 2nd respectively.

Temecula, CA: Sarah Vernlund reports that KF MacGuinness, a registered half-bred Connemara by Ros na Ri Kilcullen out of Mint (NZ TB), placed fourth in the CCI* long format at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials held in California on the weekend of October 30.

Sarah says, “He is 9 years old and 16.0 hands. He was bred by Chris Knox of Chesterfield, ID. I sold the mare to her and rode two half siblings by a Swedish Warmblood that I had raised to Intermediate level. When I heard that Mint had a very nice colt (by Kilcullen), I bought him as a two-year- old. Mackie is the most fun horse to ride and be around. We placed 4th… it was the ride of a lifetime. It was like strapping on a seatbelt and taking off… he jumped where I looked. He was into the gallop, found his rhythm and conquered everything in his path. A real Irish warrrior! The photos are from the steeplechase taken by a friend, Richard Holmes.”

Lucy Gordan on Oaksfields Dunovan

Staunton, VA: Four purebred Connemaras competed in various divisions of the Cedar Green Horse Trials, Staunton, VA, and all four came home with ribbons. Cady O'Daly Gabriel (a blue-eyed cream gelding by Tre Awain Goldsmith X *Cloud Shadows) not only won his training level division, but he swept the season championships for his Training level. He was campaigned by Allie Farley, 14, of Staunton, VA.

Moving down to the Advanced Green division (Beginner Novice dressage ride and 18 inch cross country and stadium), two geldings made their debuts. Oakfields Dunovan (*Hearnesbrook Dunoon X Oakfields May Sparrow), was second by only one point in his first outing ever. He was ridden by 14-year-old Lucy Gordan, and the amazing fact was, he hasn't been to any shows, or in fact, anyplace but trail riding, so his near-victory was especially sweet. Following him, by only two points, was Loughin's Knight Wind, known to his friends as "Nello" (by *Kilfenora Windy Isles X Elphin April Showers), and this "little big man" as his friends also think of him, was ridden by 14-year-old Casey Lowe. The black pony was just gelded less than a year ago, so his behavior in a social setting with children and ponies was very heart-warming for the Eyles family, who are "making" Nello for now-8-year-old granddaughter, Nora Goldfarb.

Allie Farley on Fieldstream's Lilee

Earning the final ribbon, a pink one, was Fieldstream's Lilee, (Landgate Bluebeard X Fieldstream's Bilee) a grey 9-year-old mare who has only known the hunter rings of Virginia, from the A-rated ranks to the local shows. But she had never seen a dressage ring, nor did she know anything about going cross-country. Her world was opened, and she put in a very good dressage ride, followed by a clean stadium, with only a bit of trouble with a water jump (they don't have those in hunter rings), and her final standing was excellent for a girl with a new career. She was ridden by Allie Farley. Lilee won the Best Connemara at the Region III show in July, 2009.

Sparrow's Owen

Fayetteville, GA: Megan Buchanan Harris reports, “Sparrow's Owen has had a very busy week. Proving once again that ‘Connemaras Do It All’, a very dirty Owen stands patiently while members of Woodbine Pony Club pose for a picture. If you look closely you will see that Owen has parts of the horse labels taped to various parts of his body! Owen stood quietly for a grooming demo (unfortunately red clay doesn't come out too easily!), a parts of the horse game, and bandaging practice.”

Irish and Glynis Schultz

McDonald’s Corners, Ontario, Canada: Heather Sherratt has sent the following report: “2009 was another great year for Elphin Cronan’s eventers in BC. Cronan is by Maplehurst Michael McDaire (Gilnocky Ard Righ McDaire X Abbeyleix Bluebird) out of Snug Pines Mils Breban ( Aladdin’s Owen X Oak Hills Gold Friday). Glynis Schultz has been campaigning Irish (Elphin Cronan X TB) at the Intermediate level in British Columbia (BC) and in the States, culminating in winning the BC Intermediate Championships and being the highest placed Canadian rider when they came 4th at the CCI** level at Rebecca Farms, Montana.

KS Priceless (Elphin Cronan X Avenns Diamond Dee) has also been working his way up the levels in eventing, this year competing at Preliminary and winning the BC Preliminary Championships at Campbell Valley. After another successful event at the Oktoberfest Horse Trials in Maple Ridge, BC, Priceless and his rider, Shannon Thompson, set out for Galway Downs in Temecula, CA, Priceless’s first international event. Although he finished 11th out of 23 entries, he and Shannon learnt a lot about competing in such a large and high-pressure environment. After a rather tense dressage, Pony, as he is known, flew round a huge cross country course within the time. Two rails in stadium kept him in 11th place. Plans are to move up again next year. Intermediate for a purebred Connemara pony will be something to watch!