Welcome to the American Connemara Pony Society Web Site

Do you have news about your Connemara that you would like to share with other ACPS members? Email Donna Duckworth with the details and any photos to duckwort@mgm.ufl.edu. Show results, results of inspections, new foals or unusual adventures especially welcome! Please note that any professional photos must be accompanied by a photographer's release before they can be used.

Phoenix, Ariz: Jennifer Fitzpatrick and Thurman Clearheart (Aladdin X Tre Awain Bawnia) attended a clinic given by Leslie Law on Nov.24-25. Leslie is a top international event rider who was also the individual gold medalist at the last Olympic Games. Jennifer says, “The clinic was a lot of fun and we were definitely challenged. In the show jumping portion the riders were given many difficult exercises. One exercise included 5 one stride fences in a row, next we were asked to weave in and out of every other one stride fence in the row of five. Talk about a challenge! It was a great exercise though, really teaching the importance of rider position and communication with the horse, and also a good exercise for the horse to make them really pay attention to their rider. Leslie was a very attentive and patient instructor, always giving good advice. Many of the spectators commented on learning quite a bit just from watching. The cross country portion was also fun and informational. Clearheart and I did corners for the first time-Clearheart was a champ!” We look forward to seeing Jennifer and Clearheart in the event field!

Thomson, Ga: Devon Brown, daughter of Donna Miller, and Healing Springs Limerick, a half bred Connemara by Erin-Go-Bragh, won the Junior Training Rider Division at Pine Top Horse Trials. On Nov 25 and 26 the two out-competed 15 other riders to take home the blue. They had 32.1 penalties for their dressage and added only 4 more in stadium. They were clean cross country. Devon got Limerick when she was 11 and he was 4, Now, 3 years later the two have a true winning partnership.

Alpharetta, Ga: Donna Miller (mother of Devon Brown) reports that her imported grey stallion, Ard Celtic Art, has been tested for the dilute gene, and does not have it. This was a surprise as his papers say that he was born dun. While it is sometimes difficult to tell the birth color of a foal, it is also possible that he was born dun and is a true dun….the true dun comes from the dun factor gene and is the dun that is common in quarter horses. The dun that results from a dilute gene is more properly called a buckskin. The dilute gene results in a dun-color if the base color is bay, and a palomino if the base color is chestnut. A homozygous dilute will be a blue-eyed cream. Many people do not believe that any Connemaras carry the dun (dun-factor) gene, although a study some years ago in England predicited that some would carry it. This was based on the finding that the number of blue eyed creams born in England was far fewer than would be predicted if all dun-colored ponies carried the dilute gene.

New Braintree, Mass: Kathy Trum-Searah reports that her halfbred Connemara/ QH yearling, Searah's Agustus McCray aka Gus, was asked to be presented in the Sport Pony Demo at Equine Affaire (see the News from November 26 for more about Equine Affaire). Gus was also in the breed booth for the public to enjoy. His sire is Tullymor's Mountain Thunder and his dam is Peskys Royal Asti. Footage was also taken of him to be broadcast on The Saddle Club TV show wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Clifden, Ireland: Karen Vicencio reports that the CPBS had their annual Christmas social early in December. Several hundred people showed up. There was a dinner, a raffle, and dancing. Karen said it was GREAT fun to get to hang out with so many Connemara people! It was held at the Connemara Gateway Hotel in Oughteraard. She says, “the hotel is lovely, the restaurant has excellent food, it has a pool and sauna, and I recommend it to anyone who is planning a stay in the area.” Karen also said that they are also working on finalizing plans for the Galway Connemara Christmas Drive, to be held Dec.27. They will be driving from Moycullen to Galway city, where they will be met by the mayor of the city. They are expecting about 10 carriages pulled by Connemaras, plus a number of ridden Connemaras to participate. This is the brain child of Tom Maclochlain, CPBS president. It is a re-creation of the "turf runs" that used to be done to bring turf from the bogs into the city to heat the houses in the wintertime.

One last bit of news from Karen that is exciting…..her stallion, Fairyhill Hawk (Moy Hazy Cove X Fairyhill Heather [X Loobeen Larry]), who she imported from Ireland to California and then sent to Canada when she went to Ireland, is now back in Ireland and will be standing with Jimmy Canavan at his Fernvale Stud in the Spring. Hawk will be in the barn with his sire, who also stands at Jimmy’s, as well as the stallion I Love You Melody.

Native Ponies Online: Native Ponies Online Newsletter for November had a nice little article about Miss Molly Malone, a Connemara Pony. It can be read here.

All 2006 competition results must be sent in by the end of the year for 2006 Achievement Awards. Although you may not have enough points for an award or to reach the next level now, they will add up. Remember, results must be submitted in the year they were achieved and must be postmarked by December 31. Forms should be sent to:

Judy Sheil / ACPS Achievement Awards
Bittersweet Knoll Farm
37 Rudolph Weir Jr Rd
Leeds, NY 12451

Helpful websites are below.

ACPS Website http://acps.org

Downloads:
2006 Achievement Award Recording Form-Competitive:
http://www.acps.org/awards2006-achieve-comp_app.pdf

2006 Achievement Award Recording Form-Non-Competitive:
http://www.acps.org/awards2006-achieve-noncomp_app.pdf

ACPS Achievement Awards:
http://www.acps.org/p_and_p/AWD-P04_AchievementAwards.pdf

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