Upperville, Va: Anne Moe has written the following account of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. This is just the second year in the show’s 155 year history that there has been a Connemara division. This year’s judge of the division was from Ireland. Anne says, “ Hot and humid, yes. But there is nothing like the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Turn one way and you see the jumpers doing impossible courses. Turn the other way, you see elegant crossbred ponies in-hand. Across the road, under the oaks, hunters. And if you wait long enough, our wonderful Connemara ponies follow the crossbreds.

Darrah's Denegan

“Mares 4-7 were suddenly on deck since the first two classes were cancelled. Blue Ridge Blustery Day was there ready to go in the first class but there was a mix-up in his entry, so he got to soak in the atmosphere and watch his stablemates do wonderful things, especially Karen Eyles’ Darrah’s Denegan, who was named champion of the division.”

Aladdin's Laurel Ink
Photo credit Sue Holland

Results:
Colts & Geldings 3 and under: No entries
Fillies 3 and under: Ridgetop Amalia, (Landgate Bluebeard x *Lickeen Ballerina) Marynell Eyles (scratched due to only one in class)
Mares 4-7:
1. Aladdin’s Laurel Ink (Aladdin x Tre Awain Golden Lily), o/h Catherine Mack
2. Thurman Keepsake (Landgate Bluebeard x Tre Awain Sileach, o/Barbara Byrd, h/Mary Ellen McMillen
3. Fieldstream Lilee (Landgate Bluebeard x Fieldstream Billee), o/Joanne Hart, h/Taylor Gigeous
Geldings 4-7:
1. Thurman Bramley (Landgate Bluebeard x Thurman Raven), o/Barbara Byrd, h/Mary McMillen
2. Darrah’s McGolden (Aladdin’s Denver x Tre Awain Golden Lily), o/h Marilynn Davis
3. Fieldstream Tough Enough (Balius Brannigan x Tullymor’s Mountain Beauty), o/h Kimberly Ferry

Hohnhorst Milaya
Photo credit Sue Holland

Mares, geldings, and stallions 8 and over:
1. Darrah’s Denegan (Aladdin’s Denver x Blue Hills Egan), o/Karen Eyles, h/Amelia Eyles
2. *Hohnhorst Milaya (Patty’s Benedict x Noerdlunds Madigan), o/h Nancy Dillon
3. Ridgetop Moya (Aladdin’s Denver x Blue Hills Egan), o/Marynell Eyles, h/r Isabella Eyles
4. Grey Haven Collin O’Patrick (Bear Creek’s Croagh Patrick x Heaven’s Ridge Abby Dos), o/h Tony Phillips
5. Talbotstown (Aladdin’s Denver x *Ganty Laura), o/Amelia Eyles, h/Billy Eyles
In-hand champion: Darrah’s Denegan
Reserve: Thurman Bramley
Hack class:
1. *Hohnhorst Milaya o/r Nancy Dillon
2. Darrah’s McGolden o/r Marilynn Davis
3. Darrah’s Denegan o/Karen Eyles, r/Amelia Eyles
4. Ridgetop Moya o/Marynell Eyles, r/Isabella Eyles
5. Ridgetop Windy City (*Kilfenora Windy Isles x Greystone Megan’s Echo), o/r Karen McIntyre
6. Fieldstream’s Tough Enough
7. Fieldstream’s Lilee, o/Joanne Hart
8. Thurman Bramley, o/Barbara Byrd, r/Mary Ellen McMillen
9. Grey Haven Collin O’Patrick, o/r Tony Phillips
10. Talbotstown, o/Amelia Eyles, r/Allegra Eyles

Elizabeth, WV: Buery Stout wrote to say, “It must be a week for *Gunsmoke grandfoals. Foothills Smokey Bay aka Sophy (Gunsmoke X Ballywhim Candace) delivered a very sweet bay colt on Monday Jun 9th. He's by my young stallion Tullymor's Samson MacDara (Tullymor's Chip o Perseus [Heyselden Perseus x Tre Awain Sileach]) X Tullymor's Ursula May( Montully Son X Aillte Mhuire). This is my very first purebred foal so is extra special. (have been breeding 1/2 and 3/4 bred's up til now)… My kids love having a foal *just their size*. He's just 1 day old in these pics so still a little scrunched!” Smokey Bay is full sister to WH Topgun who was the sire of last week’s featured foal.

Vancouver, BC, Canada: Susan McDougal has sent photos of another wonderful ride on her ponies. Says Susan, “The tide was way way out, and Ceildh (Coastal Celtic Ceildh [Hillside Robert MacDaire x Avenns Golden Raini]) led the way, down a small embankment, trotting smartly through the bog, then just galloped off & it seems we could have galloped forever! The ponies were quite pleased with themselves, the footing was perfect, it quite a bit damp…. The day was cold & overcast, but no matter. Pearl (Coastal Ocean Pearl [Cashels Eye of the Tiger x Avenns Golden Raini]) was full of herself, enjoyed the gallop immensely, and Honey (Aille Ivory [Grange Finn Sparrow x Aille Yellow Rose]),the old lady at 21 years, blasted past all of us at the end of our first gallop. I wonder if she remembers being on the beaches in Ireland? We didn't get to play in the surf, as the tide was so far out, further than we could see, & we didn't want to chase it that far and risk getting cut off! I have now ridden on three different beaches, & will have a goal to ride on some more! Next time I hope the water isn't so far out so I can play in the surf. The ponies showed no hesitation, & I'm glad we didn't have any beginner riders, as they may have never been seen from again! I asked for a canter at one point, got a gallop & just let her roll, I didn't think she would ever stop!”