Oakfield's Hazel Sparrow. Photo credit, Lisa Etzel

Upperville, VA: The sun was shining in Virginia Blue Ridge country as the Connemara ponies came into the ring at the 157th annual Upperville Colt & Horse Show, the oldest horse show in the United States. There was a good turnout again this year and everyone on the rail was treated to a parade of very nice ponies. Eight different sires were represented, with Aladdin’s Denver predominant. Oakfield’s Hazel Sparrow, just a week after being named Best in Show at the Region IV show in Georgia, was named the Purebred Champion. The reserve was a gelding by Aladdin’s Denver out of *Ganty Laura, Talbottstown. Catherine Mack was the judge. Many thanks to Anne Moe for sending the results!!

RESULTS:
Purebred Connemara Mares 8 and under: 1. Oakfields Hazel Sparrow [*Hearnesbrook Dunoon], o/Susan McConnell, h/Emma Kennedy; 2. Darrah’s Resa Blue [Landgate Bluebeard], o/h Jodie Foster; 3. Ridgetop Harriette [Aladdin’s Denver], o/h Marynell Eyles; 4. Oakfields Fuchsia [*Hearnesbrook Dunoon], o/Susan McConnell, h/Ashley Foster; 5. Thurman Peche Melba [Landgate Bluebeard], o/Barbara Byrd, h/Mary MacMillen.

Purebred Connemara Mares 9 and over: 1.Oakfields Diamond [*Kingstown Joe], o/Susan McConnell, h/Jaime Gibson; 2. Oakfields Amayzing Sparrow [*Hearnesbrook Dunoon], o/Susan McConnell, h/Porter Allen; 3. Ridgetop Moya [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Marynell Eyles, h/Isabella Eyles.

Purebred Connemara Stallions & Geldings 8 and under: 1. Puff of Wind [*Kilfenora Windy Isles], o/Karen Eyles, h/Allegra Eyles; 2. Kent’s Baron von Strudel [*Hohnhorst Branni], o/A. Sandra Davis, h/Christine Ehlers.

Purebred Connemara Stallions & Geldings 9 and over: 1. Talbottstown [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Karen Eyles, h/Amelia Eyles.

Purebred Connemara Under Saddle: 1. Ridgetop Echo [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Nancy David Dillon, h/Kayla Breithaupt; 2. Oakfields Hazel Sparrow; 3.Oakfields Diamond; 4.Kent’s Baron von Strudel; 5.Oakfields Amayzing Sparrow; 6. Darrah’s Denegan [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Karen Eyles, r/Elizabeth Dyke; 7.Ridgetop Moya; 8.Ridgetop Harriette, r/Erin Mungovan.

Purebred Connemara Hunter Hack: 1. Ridgetop Echo; 2. Oakfields Diamond; 3. Ridgetop Moya; 4.Darrah’s Denegan; 5.Puff of Wind; 6. Kent’s Baron von Strudel; 7. Oakfields Amayzing Sparrow; 8. Oakfields Hazel Sparrow.

Purebred Champion: Oakfields Hazel Sparrow. Reserve: Talbottstown.
Connemara Sport Horse Under Saddle (open to purebreds and halfbreds): 1. Ridgetop Columbine [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Marynell Eyles, r/Erin Mungovan; 2. Hastening Lily [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Kate Shields, r/Katharine Belber; 3. Irish Winter [Greystone Ian McVai], o/Sue Ann Houlon, r/Rachel Efird; 4. Cady O’Daly Silver and Gold [Tre Awain Goldsmith], o/r Penni Korb; 5. Indian Summer’s Shamus [Aladdin’s Denver], o/r Elizabeth Dyke; 6. Kent’s Baron von Strudel; 7. Talbottstown; 8. Thornrose O’Shenandoah [Aladdin’s Denver], o/Karen Eyles, r/Isabella Eyles.

Connemara Sport Horse Hunter Hack: 1. Indian Summer’s Shamus; 2. Irish Winter; 3. Thornrose O’Shenandoah; 4. Talbottstown; 5. Ridgetop Columbine; 6. Baron von Strudel; 7. Hastening Lily.

Lexington, VA: Amanda Miller Atkins reports that Connor of Clearfield by Aladdin's Denver finished first in the Open Training Division at the Virginia Horse Trails in Lexington, VA, May 21-23. He also finished fourth in his first Preliminary at Lumber River Horse Trials, NC, June 5-6.

Newton, NH: Lynn Bergeron has sent the following news. “Three-year-old Searah’s Calum, (Tullymor’s Mountain Thunder X Tullymor’s Lisa Supreme) went to his first horse show at the Bob-Lyn Stables in Amesbury, MA and took the blue in the pony in-hand class. It was five-year-old Ella Bergeron’s first show as well. She cheered Mom and Calum on from ringside, and has decided that this is the pony for her! Calum enjoyed the show atmosphere, and had no problem keeping it together with the mirage of fanfare going on between two rings – Western – Saddleseat – and Hunters all intertwined at one show. We went home feeling proud of his manners and performance, so the next stop for us is the Region I Show in Woodstock, Vermont next month. We are looking forward to it.”

Orton, Ontario, Canada: Lee Taylor has sent this report. “Cedar's Padraig, (Ridgetop O'Rian X Ballywhim Tenley), a 12–year-old gelding, is really getting some attention on the A dressage circuit here in Ontario. At the recent EC Gold Spring into Dressage show June 4, 5, and 6, I showed him in the Open Prix St. Georges class and placed second in a class of 12 with a score of 62.19%. Bear in mind this is only our third show at this level, and that I am an amateur rider. Because this show was combined with a CDI***, we benefitted by being judged each day by a panel of 3 FEI O judges, including Stephen Clarke and Axel Steiner. Mr. Clarke was very complimentary of Padraig, and actually had us placed first in his scores. We managed a good third test under some rainy conditions, and were the division champions for the weekend. Wow!

Our next outing will be our first attempt at Intermediare I, and by July I hope to combine that with a freestyle and compete in the full "small tour", perhaps with a CDI in our not too distant future. My pony is a great ambassador for the breed, as he is a very striking dun with full black legs, and really doesn't blend at the dressage shows. He is a joy to own and ride, and because of him I have recently purchased a two-year-old Dobh McDuff son, and a friend has purchased
a Connemara as well.”

McDonald’s Corners, Ontario, Canada: Heather Sherratt sent the following about a remarkable pony. “I recently received news of the eventing successes of KS Priceless, a 14.2hh purebred gelding (Elphin Cronan x Avenns Diamond Dee). Pony, as he is known, is ridden by Shannon Thompson, a previously short-listed (for the Olympics) eventer based in Kelowna, BC.

“During the May long weekend Shannon and Pony competed at the Johvale Horse Trials in Pritchard, BC. As it was their first event of the year, they went Preliminary. After dressage they were in a three-way tie for third and jumped a really good clear stadium round. The tie breaker in eventing is often the optimum time cross-country. They were clear cross-country and 5 seconds under the optimum time ending up second to Ali Holmes Smith and Paddington, by only 0.7 of a point. Two weeks later they competed at Preliminary level again in Maple Ridge, BC. Dressage here was not as good as Pony was really high. In show jumping a rider mistake cost them a rail but the next day they jumped a great clear cross-country. But Shannon felt they should do one more Preliminary level before upgrading to Intermediate. The next event was Aspen Horse Trials in Yelm, Washington. They arrived to rain and mud and Priceless was pretty excited by the atmosphere. With plenty of work, by Friday afternoon he felt fantastic and ended up doing a lovely test, scoring 28.7 and leading the division. The test was almost entirely 7's and 8's. In contrast to the rest of the weekend, cross-country day was hot, but Pony just cruised around, unconcerned with anything, clear and quite quick. The next day he was really high in the warm-up, but calmed down in the ring and jumped a really nice clear round that won them the event. Shannon now feels Priceless is ready to go Intermediate at Inavale in two weeks. Depending on results there, the pair might attempt the CCI** at Rebecca Farm, or wait to do the CCI** at Galway in the fall. His fitness and comfort at Intermediate level in the events to come will help be the deciding factors. Not bad results for an eight-year-old 14.2hh pony!”

Ames, IA: Lisa Etzel reports that Century Hills Kieron (Irish Park Caraway Finn X Tatham Ballinanna) went to his first show this year, Nebraska's Pioneer CDE. He ended up being the Training Level Single Horse Champion. He had the only double clean cones run and lowest marathon scores. Kieron was driven by Jada Neubauer. Lisa has recently moved from Iowa to North Carolina.

DryBrook's Hello Dolly

Hawinton, CT: Pat Shields has sent this report. “DryBrook Farm is proud to announce the birth of our two newest purebred foals. DryBrook's Huckleberry Finn, was born June 1 in the wee hours of the morning. Finn has wonderful bone and is going to be a big boy. He is by Valley Creek Angileri (Heaven's Ridge Patrick LeBeau x White Oak's Greystone Classic) and out of Roscommon Annika (Balius Malachi x Lasrachai's Blue Oak Dunlaith). Finn was born bay and I think he'll stay a bay. He is a curious fellow. He is shown here at only three days old. Drybrook's Hello Dolly (Tullymor's Mountain Thunder X Jillian's Mahogany Surprise) was only a couple hours old for her photo shoot. Her dam surprised me and gave birth in her pasture.

DryBrook's Huckleberry Finn

My husband, Steve, and I were on ourway to the feed store, going down the driveway when my husband said, ‘Hey what is in Jillian's pasture?..oh my.....she had her foal!’ Dolly was born a dark dun...but from the looks of her lovely eye liner...she will be grey soon.” Mountain Thunder is by Tullymor’s Flying Ace and out of Kahlua. Jillian’s Mahogany Surprise is by Greystone An Lauren X Clove Annagh.

Pat also reports that DryBrook’s Bailey’s Cream, 7/8 Connemara, 1/8 Welsh (Valley Creek Angileri X Irish Park’s Royal Tara), only four years old, has after only his first show qualified for CHSA (Connecticut Horse Show Association) Finals. Only 13 horses in Connecticut have qualified to participate in the CHSA Hunter Pleasure Finals. He is trained by my daughter, Emily (who today just celebrated her 16th birthday).

DryBrook's Bailey's Cream

Bailey won both Senior Hunter and Junior Hunter Pleasure divisions, taking Champion and Reserve respectively with a senior, junior and child rider…now that is versatility and such a good, solid fellow. Bailey was shown at Far Meadow Farm, Morris, CT. He will continue to work towards the finals as the show season continues.

Tampa, FL: This is another from the “don’t try this at home” department. Jill Torres sent this link to a video of Shammer Jake (*Ballinaboy Eamonn x *Grange Deirdre Sparrow ) and Jill ten years ago. Jill says, “At the five-minute mark we start running with the train. Fun! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi9OPPKkt3E Connemaras are the best!” Jake was later sold to Courtney Yeager and went on to be a dressage star, showing up to Intermediare level.