West Winfield, NY: At 30 years of age, the Connemara stallion, Greystone McErrill, was euthanized on January 29, at Triple Creek Farm where he had spent the last 18 years of his life. He was bred by Marianne Alexander at Greystone Farm and. Melanie Alexander Fuchs, Marianne’s daughter, trained and competed him. His sire was Hideaway’s Greystone Alex and his dam was Erin’s Lassie. As he matured, the Connemara, the “”eager to please” attitude and substance of bone and hoof were evident. His sons, Greystone Dallen McMor (McErrill X Hideaway’s Smitheranne) and Greystone Ian McVai (McErrill X Hideaway’s Mavourneen), have produced many wonderful competitors who are enhancing his legacy. Ian McVai was the leading Connemara sire of hunter ponies in the US for several years before his death and Dallen McMor has also produced many highly competitive ponies. It is thought that McErrill’s descendants number over 1000, so that his influence will be felt for many years.

Ocala, FL: Hideaway‘s Special Delivery, a son of the above-mentioned Dallen McMor out of Hideaway’s Celebration (Hideaway’s Erin Smithereen X Hideaway’s Centerfold [by Springledge Bantry Bay]), was the winner of the Beginner Novice Rider Division of the Ocala Winter I Horse Trials in January. He was ridden by owner Cathy Blackmon of Wayne, Ill. who is escaping the Illinois winter in Florida. Special Delivery was a stallion for some half of his life and sired several ponies for Hideaway Farm before being gelded and sent to Sally Eyles to train for the eventing world. Cathy cannot say enough good things about Special……he is dignified in his dressage, super going cross country, and never misses a spot in stadium. Cathy says he almost always finishes on his dressage score.

Brown’s Valley, CA: Lisa Gerdes reports that their stallion, Wildwych Eclipse (*Glenormiston Flurry Knox x Wildwych Dreamtime), with rider Amanda Volle attended the John Robertson Clinic at Twin Rivers Ranch over this past weekend. Lisa says, “Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California specializes in eventing, offering one of only three Advanced Level courses on the West Coast. Mr. Robertson, former Breed Inspector with the Australian Connemara Pony Society is widely recognized for having competed several of the Glenormiston Connemara Pony Stud stallions, most notably the hugely successful Domo Cavallo Praize (Connemara Park Peter X Kirtling Haze [by Whalton Sandune]). John and Praize competed to the National levels in both Combined Training and Show Jumping throughout Australia. To quote Mr. Roberston: ‘Connemaras can be wildly talented, highly intelligent, clever, stubborn, and lazy all at the same time. And because of this, will often ask – ‘why should I? I can. But why should I?’ Of our Eclipse John said, ‘He should have no trouble rising through the levels, very impressive pony.’ Despite heavy weather complete with nickel-sized hailstones, an excellent time was had by all who participated. Max and I are very excited to cheer on both young rider Amanda Volle and our lad Eclipse when they make their debut this season at Training Level Eventing and Second Level Dressage.”

The black and white photo is John Robertson competing with the Domo Cavallo Praize.

Ocala, FL: Another sad passing occurred last week. This was Balmullo’s Amazing Grace, who died at the age of 27. She was a half-bred pony who was unusual in that her dam was the Connemara, Rosehill’s Glenconi (by Marconi) or Speckles as she was more commonly known. “Mazy” was one of the first ponies bred at Balmullo Farm. Her sire, a racing Thoroughbred from England, Sy-A , was chosen due to the fact that the only Connemara stallion within 800 miles was Speckles’ brother! Mazy was trained and ridden in Canada to great success by Kelly Kalbol who was only 13 when she acquired her. When Kelly outgrew her she was sold to the Harper family of Altanta, Georgia. Ridden by the diminutive Leigh Harper in the large pony hunter division on the A-rated circuit Mazy won innumerable championships and awards. She competed with Leigh in the Medal finals and in 1996 was the ACPS Half-bred of the Year. In 1997, Mazy was awarded the Clifden trophy, sponsored by the ACPS and given annually by the AHSA (now USEF) for the Connemara or Connemara cross earning the most points in recognized hunter competition in the United States. When Leigh went to college, Mazy was given to Sean Andrews who was six at the time. They formed a very special relationship and he rode her until the year of her death. The four families who had the pleasure of knowing Mazy are all grieving for this wonderful pony.

Athens, TN: Vanessa Morgan has indicated that the May 31--June 1, 2009, ACPS sponsored, Jimmy Wofford Jumping Clinic (stadium and cross-country) at Pine Top Farm in Thomson, Georgia, will soon be opened to non-ACPS members. There is a discount for ACPS members so any who are interested should register soon. The clinic is to be held the day after the Region 4 show on May 30 at Pine top. For more information on the show, clinic, venue & lodging information, please go to: http://www.connemaras.com/Region4/home.html