Sommers, CT:  Windy Hollow Lilia (Seaborne’s Flagship X HH Greystone Irish Wind), owned by Dr. Amy Plavin, and rider Katherine Short were Champion of the Baby Green Jumpers Division and Reserve Champion of the Low Training Jumpers at the 31st annual Shallowbrook Horse USEF "A" show on June 5-7.  Katherine says, “Lil was quite the Connemara ambassador, soaking in all the compliments with grace.  Lil went in the ring for each class completely focused and ready for the job.  She was all speed in the jump-offs and showed off her usual careful jumping style. We came home with three firsts, two seconds and two fourths on top of the championships!  Lil and I are planning on doing more jumpers this summer along with some dressage as we work towards our Golden Shamrock Award from the ACPS.  Currently we have a gold in hunters, silver in pony club, award of excellence in eventing, and a bronze in jumpers.” 

Geneseo, NY:  Well-known Region II Connemara trainer and rider, Carol Kozlowski, won three divisions of the GVRDC Spring Event on Sunday June 7, 2009 in Geneseo, NY on three different horses including two of her own Connemara crosses. The Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club Spring Event offered an opportunity for riders and trainers to safely condition and prepare their mounts for upcoming two-day events. Being held for the first time as a one-day event with a combined test option and in a new location, organizers were pleased to host nearly 140 horse and rider combinations.  Carol won the Training/Novice Level (Training level stadium and dressage with Novice level cross-country) on her own Good Earth Bit O' Honey, who was bred and raised locally by Sarah and Bob Booher and is out of  Bonnhenry Sandpiper (Grange Finn Sparrow X Thornhill’s Sanachie[by Greystone McErrill]) by a TB.  She then rode Oreo, a black and white paint to the win in Novice B division and finished up the day winning the Introductory Level on another of her Connemaras, Lookover Erin, by Hideaway's Erin Go Bragh. Generally speaking, Carol plus a Connemara is a winning combination and June 7 was no exception!

Ebert, Co: Karen Laden wrote with the exciting news that, “The second purebred foal by *Smaragaid Cliff (Munkholm Cobbergate x Shamrock Bright Roxanne) has been born! New Song's Let Freedom Ring (*Smaragaid Cliff x Wildwych Lucy) was born over the Memorial Day weekend.

Freedom's breeder and owner, Alyce Wich of Colorado Springs, thought it appropriate to give the bay colt a patriotic name. Both Alyce and I are very pleased with this bold, friendly baby, which is Lucy's first.”

St. Louis, MO:  Gloria LaCroix also had some exciting news.  She says, “we have a new little man (yes, another boy).   

Folklore Inistioge (pronounced inishteeg) aka Teague (Folklore James McNicholas X Loughin Emerald [by Kilfenora Windy Isles]) is a repeat of big brother Folklore Kilronan aka Ronan.  He is quite pleased with himself and very happy his ‘mom’ is a massage therapist! 

Teague was born dark bay with owl eyes (looks like ‘guyliner’ and an outline around his nostrils and chin that looks like a heart.  (But of course, he will turn grey--what else?!)”

Exeter, NH: Sally Oxnard has sent this photo of Paradox Presto (Tre Awain Dobh Mcduff  X Tower Hill's Carmody [by *Chiltern Copa of Tower Hill]). Sally says, “He was born one week late, perfect delivery, a few days after his big brother Connor had left home. He is big and friendly and fleet of foot.”

Paradox Presto

Elk Creek O'Conner

Kent, CT - C.K.C. Katie took her young pony club rider, Katie Quimby, through 3 out of 3 clear rounds at the Regional Pony Club stadium jumping rally held June 7th. They were the only members of the 4-member Glastonbury Pony Club team to go clean in all 3 rounds placing Glastonbury 5th out of 11 pony club teams. The stadium jump heights ranged from 2'6" to 2'9" for the D-level competitors. C.K.C. Katie turned 17 in May and owner Carolyn McEvitt had just remarked that she was considering allowing Katie to be used only for low-level jumping competitions because of her age...moments later the mare jumped her 5 foot pasture gate. So much for telling a Connemara what they can and cannot jump!