Hillsboro,MO: Michelle Haas writes to say that Thurman Irish Peach (Landgate Bluebeard X Aladdin’s Rhiann) has had her foal, a filly named Easy (Erin Terra's Dream Easy). Easy is by Erin Terra's Dream On (Fiddler’s Sparrow McDaire X Tre Awain Dare to Dream [by Ginger Blue]), aka Zach. Michelle says, “I was supposed to leave Friday morning (to go home to Atlanta) and had already postponed our departure to Saturday morning because I thought she would foal soon. Thank you, Peach, for foaling before I left! On top of that she was nice enough to foal while a couple of my non-horsey friends were out to visit the farm. They were there for the entire foaling (at 9 pm on Thursday) and thoroughly enjoyed the entire thing! Peach was prompt and Easy was quite easy with everything. The best is that we had an entire night’s sleep! We are really happy with the filly as she is quite correct and lovely. The filly belongs to my sister, Nicole Perrin in Pennslyvania. Easy has a brother in Florida, Balmullo’s Blue Water Bay (by Concord River Roaringwater Bay).

Michelle had some other news, too. She will be moving soon to Mooresville, NC. Hopefully she can get some land there so she can start riding again!! And get son Alex started on his riding career.

Michelle, Peach and Alex

Ozark AL: Kelly Windus reports that Glenormiston Cuchulainn’s second foal this year has been born. It is Dark Horse Gil Gilad. He is shown with Paul Windus and his dam Dark Horse Lulu (Ballywhim An Luan X Big Bear’s Bonnie Blue).

Kelly says, “We are looking forward to repeating this match in the future as we have several breedings of frozen semen set aside from Cuchulainn (Domo Cavallo Praize X Glenormiston Fionnuala). So, though gelded, he may have more foals to come...”

Shandora and Birdie

Taylorsville, NC: Sue Holland has announced that Tullymor’s Shandora (Fieldstream Riley X Twinkle, Too) has produced a true black filly foal, Hollymead Hummingbird...Birdie for short.

Sue says, “This filly is very much like velcro and loves being close to people. She doesn't mind wearing a halter while we lead her to and from the pasture.

She used to follow Shandora but now she prefers to run in front and usually in the wrong direction....so now she wears a halter and butt rope.”

Sue’s granddaughter, Aubrie, could hardly wait for the baby to be born and is very happy with the filly. Hummingbird is by Grey Haven Collin O’Patrick (Bear Creek Croagh Patrick X Heaven’s Ridge Abbey Dos).

Aubrie and Birdie

Charlottesville, VA: Susan McConnell has sent a link to a great video! She says, “ Look at this wonderful old video from 1963 of the Clifden Pony Show. I hope you
enjoy it!”

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=43530

Captain of Moonshine Glen, a Highland Pony.

Grass Valley, CA: Kathryn Rayner Freeman of NPS America has sent a “sneak peek” at 2010 Competitive Opportunities for Mountain & Moorland ponies. Mixed Mountain and Moorland classes allow British Shetland (registered with the SPSNA), Connemara, Dales, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Fell, Highland, New Forest, and all sections of Welsh ponies to compete as a group. Many events across the US have graciously offered to host M&M classes in 2010.

A note about eligibility to compete in mixed M&M classes. Eligibility is determined by the availability of individual breed classes offered at each given event. For example, at Connemara shows, the Connemara is NOT eligible to compete in M&M classes. Conversely, at Welsh shows, the Welsh are NOT eligible to compete in M&M classes, but the Connemaras are eligible to compete. M&M classes offer Connemaras and their owners additional opportunities to compete against peer ponies, to gain additional exposure and schooling opportunities, and in ACPS Regions where no dedicated Connemara shows/classes exist, a fantastic opportunity to compete and be judged as Connemaras.

Dates noted in bold are confirmed events, dates noted with an asterisk are “in the works”.

June 5: ACPS Region IV Connemara Show, Thomson, Georgia

June 12 & 13: Northwoods Welsh Pony & Cob Show, Black River Falls, Wisconsin

June 19-20: OWPS, Albany, Oregon

*June 26-27: Go Green Welsh Series, Earleville, Maryland

*July 1-4: Ponies of New York, Saugerties, New York

July 10: ACPS MidWest Connemara Show, Illinois

July 18: ACPS Region III Connemara Show, Middleburg, Virginia

July 31 & August 1: ACPS Region I Connemara Show, Woodstock, Vermont

*July 31 – August 1: Go Green Welsh Series, Earleville, Maryland

*July 30-August 1: Midwestern Welsh, Elgrin, Illinois

August 21 & 22: OWPS Mt Hood Equestrian Center, Boring, Oregon

*August 22: SPSNA Performance Show, Joppa, Maryland

*August 27-29: Heartland Welsh, Rochester, Indiana

September 18: Pacific Coast Classic Welsh Show, Elk Grove, California

*October 29 – 31: Go Green Welsh Series, Earleville, Maryland

NPS America is a branch of the National Pony Society of Britain. Their mission is to support, promote and recognize the Mountain & Moorland and British Riding Ponies in the United States. Their web site is http://www.npsamerica.org/

McDonald’s Corners, Ontario, Canada: Heather Sherratt writes, “My big news is the arrival of my new colt from Finland!! I went to Toronto yesterday to pick him up at the airport -- he is now in quarantine at my next door neighbour’s and waiting for the final tests from the Federal vet this morning. He should be clear and at home here in a week or so. His name is Caragh Gaoithe, by Inellan Kestral and out of Inellan Gem, nickname Hennka. His full pedigree is on All Breeds. Like all good Connemaras he has travelled well -- been on the road and doing quarantine for about three weeks. I attach a photo while he was waiting for the truck to leave Finland.”

This is the first (that I know of) pony imported to North America from Finland.

Amsterdam, Holland: Inez Kooij also sent a link of photos of Dutch Connemara ponies at a cross-country clinic. She says, “Today we had our second cross-country/eventing day. Six lessons for a total of 22 combinations with a Connemara or a partbred
Connemara. It was great fun.”

The link is http://www.connemara.nl/sport/crossdag20100418_foto1.asp