West Springfield, MA: Suzanne Antilla has sent this report of the recent Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. “ Connemaras were showcased in fine fashion at country’s biggest Equine Affaire on November 12-15 in West Springfield. The expo attracts nearly 100,000 people and thousands visited the combined Region I and II booth to learn about the breed, pick up brochures, sales and stallion literature, and purchase Connemara items from the Region I store… and, most importantly, visit with one of several very personable ponies who rotated throughout the event in the adjacent stall.

The booth was awesome! There were great new photo displays and posters of our ponies doing everything from high level performance to just being a best friend. Many videos of everything from the great Erin Go Bragh (Hideaway’s Erin Smithereen X Hideaway’s Centerfold [by Springledge Bantry Bay]) to the Clifden show to our breed demonstration were shown on a new big screen TV attracting much attention. Of course, the volunteers manning the booth raved about our breed to all and had the wonderful ponies in the “petting stall” to back up every bit of praise. A new poster of Irish jumping star Ballyowen Maybelle Molly (Monaghanstown Fred X Ballyowen Bonnie Belle [by Callowfeenish Mairtin]) impressed many. (Thanks to Tom Mac Lochlainn and Ashbrook Stud.)

The breed demonstration on Saturday in the venue’s biggest arena, (following a jumping clinic by Bruce Davidson) was fabulous. Greystones Adirondack A’Herne aka Harry (*Rosenaharley Laurens X Hideaway’s Smitheranne [by Hideaway’s Erin Smithereen ]) was driven by his owner, Cindy Fletcher, and, as always, Harry never missed a beat. Ace jumpers were Windy Hollow Lilia (Seaborne’s Flagship X HH Greystone Irish Wind), owned by Amy Plavin and ridden by Katherine Short, and Tower Hills Darby Dun (*Chiltern Copa X Tower Hill’s Killaire), owned and ridden by Stacy Taylor. Five year-old Ocean Mist Vinny Van Gogh ( Shammer

The Connemara Booth

Charlie Boy X Tullymor’s Victoria’s Shadow [by Tullymor’s Mountain Shadow]) was ably ridden by his junior owner Caileigh Bryant. Lendon Gray’s amazing champion dressage stallion Ballywhim Ardan Mor aka Danny (Tre Awain Dobh McDuff X Ballywhim Ethylen [by Greystone Dallen McMor]) performed a beautiful freestyle with his newest junior rider, 15-year-old Simon Solaro from France.

Thank you to Committee members who gave their time and talent to make this so successful – Janet Chayes, Amy Plavin, Suzanne Antilla, Kathleen Hull, Penny Dawson and Lyn Chatham. Special thanks to this year’s essential set-up and take down crew: Renee Vaughn, Helena Ragone, Caileigh Bryant, and Katherine Short and her mom Ester. It wouldn’t have been possible without the host of other volunteers covering the booth. Heather White prepared this year’s lovely Calendar and Suzanne Antilla performed heroics getting it printed as well as printing all the new photos, sales & stallion literature and new regional brochure. Sally Oxnard provided critical support and background problem solving. Others helped with financial donations. Many thanks go to everyone for their time, energy and expense of bringing their ponies – eight in total – to exemplify our wonderful Connemara breed.

Big Bear's Aurora and Brandon McKeen

Pine Mountain, GA: Leigh Ellen Ertle reports that Big Bear's Aurora (Rockhaven’s McBrigh X Coosheen Penny Royal [by Coosheen Finn]) took one of her students who has autism to the Georgia Special Olympics. Brandon McKeen competed in the Advanced level and won 3 gold and 1 bronze medal. Leigh Ellen says, “Yeah!!! Aurora caught everyone’s attention and there was a lot of discussion on the Connemaras as not just a pony but a caretaker, a friend, and a competitor. It was very exciting.” Brandon’s medals were in dressage, equitation, and trail. Leigh Ellen also said that Brandon is eventing Aurora in the Beginner Novice Division on December 5 at Big Bear Farm.

Spring Hill, FL: Karen Joyal has sent an update on Elderglen’s Lilithe aka Lilly (Ballencrieff's Brogan X Hideaway's Zwenski). Karen says, “I took Lilly to a schooling show at the Sumter Equestrian Center this weekend. This was only her second show under saddle as she was just started in her riding career in August. I rode her in one class last month at the same show and she placed first out of eight entries in Green Horse poles. This weekend she was Reserve Champion in Green Horse Crossrails with two seconds and one third. We also competed in Pre Short/Long Stirrup and she placed 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th in her division classes with over 10 entries in each class. She was an excellent ambassador for the Connemara breed all
day. Lilly is just 3 years old and just loves her job". Karen also said that Lilly was Reserve Champion for Model Pony and Champion for Florida Bred Model Pony at the Sumter Equestrian Center 2009 Year End Awards banquet.

Rivendell's Jack Sparrow

Altoona, AL: Randy Rease reports that Canadian Bio-Cube® Ltd. of Ontario, Canada, has chosen a photo of the Rease’s stallion, Rivendell's Jack Sparrow (Grange Finn Sparrow X Molly) for bags of their Select Alfalfa cubes. Randy says, “The same picture, (taken by my brother, Jeff Rease Photography), has also won numerous awards from several fairs, photo contests, and even international acclaim. We are excited, thankful, and proud of our wonderful Connemara ponies and our wonderful friends!” The first picture is the portrait chosen for the alfalfa cube bag and the other is Jack Sparrow enjoying himself at home in Alabama.

Karen Vicencio's House

Galway, Connemara, Ireland: Karen Vicencio, ex-patriate living in Ireland and Chair of the ACPS Internet Committee, has been forced out of her house by flooding that has devastated much of Ireland. Karen said, “Early in the morning I heard a loud splash, and then very angry cat noises. I thought ‘what the heck?’, got up, went downstairs, and discovered several inches of water already inside, and a couple feet outside. The splash had been my cat doing his morning race down the stairs to eat breakfast or use the litter box, and he landed right in the water. He was REALLY angry. I pulled on the wellies and went outside to check on the ponies, and found them standing up on top of a round bale, chomping away with dry feet. The mini had to swim to come in. Brannigan (US Connemara Pony that went to Ireland with Karen) didn't like the water, he was trying to pick up his hind legs as high as possible and keep them out of the water as long as he could while walking. He was pretty annoyed. The yearling and weanling just slogged around in it, looking confused.” Karen said she was planning on doing some remodeling in the house but this has made it imperative. In Karen’s latest report she says, “I'm fortunate, although I had 2 1/2 feet of water in my house (200 years old, never flooded before), the water has gone down in my area. I spent the day talking to insurance people and contractors, tearing out floors, throwing away destroyed furniture etc. My ponies, dogs, and cats are all fine, although in less than luxury accomodation. My house is currently unliveable, so I am renting a house down the road from it in an area that didn't flood. In other areas though, the water is still coming up. There are thousands around the country who have been forced out of their homes, huge amounts of feed, which we were already low on, has been destroyed, and the country is in a serious crisis. Up North and the Dublin area aren't bad. The west and south, and the midlands, particularly anything around the Shannon, are a real mess.” We will all be hoping for lots of sunshine soon!!