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.

Monroe, GA: Jennifer Hood writes that two Connemaras from Georgia were recently recognized for their 2009 scores in Training Level Dressage at the Georgia Dressage & Combined Training Association's annual Awards Gala, held at the Atlanta Athletic Club on January 23. Sarah Beth Hood and Stoneybrook's Conan O'Brien (*Kingstown Joe X Bailey's Irish Cream) were awarded the Championship ribbon for their year-end average of 70.46. Erin Morpeth and her mount, Sweet Iced Tea (*Marconi X TB), placed fifth with their score of 62.12. To be eligible for year-end awards, riders must submit at least seven scores from their level, with two scores being from the highest test, from at least two different judges at two different shows. Scores are then averaged to tabulate the final standings for the year.

Erin Morpeth

Sarah Beth Hood

Aiken, SC: Caleigh Bryant has sent the following along with the beautiful photos. Caleigh, one of the members of the ACPS Youth Council, has recently moved to Aiken with her Ocean Mist Vinny Van Gogh (Shammer Charlie Boy X Tullymor’s Victoria’s Shadow). Caleigh says, “Last weekend there was a record snow storm in Aiken. The snow fell fast, covered everything and stayed just long enough to throw a few snowballs, go for a ride down Cathedral Isle in Hitchchock Woods, and make a snowman! Little Vinny led the ride through the snowy woods like a true Connemara leaving his over-sized bear foot pony prints in the fresh snow! As we passed Black Gum Pond, and made our way deeper into the forest, a few weighted icicle-strung trees crossed our path. Being on the smallest horse (the smallest horse at the barn of 42!) I was voted to dismount, and clear the way. A true pony, Vinny helped me push the branches aside and we plunged on through to watched the bigger horses and their riders duck and dodge through the pony-sized clearing we had made! Connemaras do it all don't they!?!

North Chittenden, VT: Katie Reuther writes that she made her second trip down to Southern Pines to ride her pony, Catskill Keiran (Bantry Bay's Dillon X Cobweb Allison) and train with Denny Emerson. She was there for four days, and rode everyday. Katie says, "I had two stadium jumping lessons, one flat lesson, and one cross-country lesson. It was a blast! Keiran was fabulous! During my last trip down, major adjustments occurred. I had to get used to Keiran and he had to get used to me. During this trip, he and I both ‘got’ each other. We worked together to achieve higher levels of understanding at every lesson. During the stadium lessons, we worked on gymnastic exercises and longer courses.

The flat lesson consisted of working on the basic rhythm, suppleness, and contact. The cross-country lesson consisted of small courses where we jumped things such as coops, ditches, a double bank complex (going up and down!), and water (jumped in and out) to name a few. Keiran worked hard during all of our lessons and didn't bat an eye at any of the fences. It was a great experience, and we look forward to sharing news of the upcoming event season! Keiran will return to our home in Vermont on February 23rd. On the way home, my mom and I were able to stop at Indian Summer Connemaras. Unfortunately, Sandy (McShea) was not there, but we got to see all of her ponies and her beautiful facility!

“Attached are a few pictures of Keiran and me going Cross-Country.”

Alachua, FL: *Fernville Matchmaker’s first foal has arrived! *Belle Dawn aka Minnie (Laerken’s Cascade Dawn X Lizabelle) gave birth to Balmullo’s Belladonna on February 15. Matchmaker is by Hazy Match and out of Ross Castle Moya (by Abbeyleix Owen), and was imported in 2006. He is owned by Donna Duckworth of Balmullo Farm and Deb Norman of Glendale Farm. When Minnie’s owner, Donna Duckworth, went to check on the very pregnant Minnie at 6 a.m., she found Minnie in the ‘birthing pen’ along with the afterbirth but no foal! The foal had apparently rolled out under the fence and was found safe and sound with a group of six other ponies in the next field. Minnie was let out of her pen and very promptly reclaimed her baby.

Queensland, Australia: In Australia, the foals keep coming!! Sue Clark has sent this photo of her latest foal, a colt, by Castle Baron and out of Glenormiston Scarteen. Says, Sue (on hearing that Minnie [see above] had given birth), “We also had a foal born last night but it was a colt from our dun mare Glenormiston Scarteen and he is her first dun foal from this cross after five bays. He is the usual big foal/huge bone baby - almost a clone of his siblings but in another colour!!!! The temperature here was a balmy 23C but we had a huge thunderstorm earlier in the evening.”

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