Harpursville, NY: Gene & Cindy Fletcher of Hidden Meadow Farm are pleased to announce the arrival of their last two foals of the year. Their WESER-EMS approved halfbred mare, HMF Wild Irish Rose (Greystone's Adirondack A'Herne...... aka "Harry" X TB mare), foaled a beautiful filly by Hilken's Black Delight (the 2005 German Riding Pony Champion) on June 11th.

And on June 24th their TB mare, FAROLINO, delivered a beautiful colt that was sired by "Harry."

Their earlier foal out of JEF Meara by Moxley Duncan is maturing beautifully and they are convinced that he will make a fantastic event pony. He is very bold and forward and LOVES to run up and down the banks at full speed.

Bedford, NY: Ballywhim Ardan Mor (Tre Awain Dobh McDuff X Ballywhim Ethylyn [by Greystone Dallen McMor]) is being shown by an Argentine working student of Lendon Gray’s. Micaela Mabragana has been consistently first and second in the Young Rider qualifying classes for the North American Championships (Prix St. Georges level) with scores up to 68.5%. She has just received permission from the FEI to compete in the North American championships in Virginia in August (even though Argentina is not in North America). Mica is also hoping that she might receive an invitation from the FEI to compete in the Young Rider World Cup in Germany in December. Danny is just barely over pony size and is obviously the smallest horse competing in these classes.

Belleville, IL: On June 30, Region VII of the ACPS held the Midwest Connemara Breeder’s Show at a show grounds just outside of St. Louis. In hand judges were Jill MacNicol and Marynell Eyles. Over 30 ponies were present, including some from as far away as Texas! The Grand Champion was Laurin of Rosion (Rosenaharley Loughris X Kingstown Dove [by Village Boy]). Other heart-stealers were Blue Ridge Fionuola (Moxley Duncan X Blue Ridge Hobbie Grey), who won the Most Saintly Pony Award, and Foothill’s Magnolia (Balmullo’s Beacon X Foothill’s River Queen [by CR Roaringwater Bay]), who won the versatility award for her combination of driving and jumping ability. Complete results will be in the next issue of the American Connemara.

Belleville, IL: On Sunday, July 1, 18 ponies were inspected by the ACPS. Sixteen were passed including one stallion and one premium mare. Inspectors were Marynell Eyles, Kathy Lucas, Catherine Mack, and Kathy Sparks. Also present were Donna Duckworth, Katherine Wilkins, Joan Webster, and new inspector candidate, Sara McCrae of Vermont.

Chesterfield, Mo: On Monday, July 2, the Inspectors completed a weekend “trifecta” by attending a clinic with Judy Wardrope. Judy has studied the pedigrees and photographed and analyzed the conformation of top horses, in both sport and thoroughbred racing, to determine the impact on performance. She is now sharing her knowledge through a series of informative and entertaining clinics, seminars and workshops. Of these, Improving Your Eye for Functional Conformation (Thoroughbred and/or Sporthorse) and Pedigree Patterns in Sport Horses are the most frequently requested. Judy has recently been to Ireland to give her Functional Conformation clinic, which was a great success, and that was the subject of the clinic for US inspectors as well. With the great emphasis on type in both Ireland and the US in recent years, it is feared that the ponies are losing some of their athleticism ( Judy says they are going from an all-around pony to an all-round pony) so Judy’s clinic concentrated on the conformation of good athletes. Some of the most important conformation aspects of a sound and athletic pony include the location of the lumbo-sacral (LS) joint, freedom in the elbow, height of the stifle, height of the point of shoulder, and lightness of the front end. More information on Judy’s studies can be found on her website, http://www.jwequine.com/

Okeechobee, Fl: We have heard the sad news that Ballinaboy Eamon (Loobeen Larry X Ocean Bambi [by Carna Dun]) has died. Eamon was imported in the 1980’s by Maureen Loughman Abel of Florida and stood at her Tir na Nog Ranch there. He also sired many foals for Big Bear Farm in Georgia where he was competed by Leigh Ellen Roberts in eventing.

Middleburg, Va: Region 3 sends a huge vote of Thanks to those many folks who made The first Connemara Classes at the Upperville Horse Show a big success. We enjoyed great weather and 17 ( ! ) Pure-bred Connemaras and 6 Half-bred Connemaras competed for the Championship coolers. Since all these ponies were 3 years old or less (ed. note – this was due to a glitch in the programming) this represents a good bit of serious work on the part of owners, trainers, and handlers and for all that effort the rest of us are most indebted and grateful. The ponies caused alot of interest from the large crowd of spectators and most of them , ( ponies ) behaved admirably and represented our breed with credit. Hopefully, next year we will be invited back !

Full results shall soon be forthcoming from Anne Moe and/or Marynell Eyles who were part of the huge support team that turned out on the side-lines. It was just great to see such a big Connemara family in attendance. Thanks to all for a very good beginning at a big time venue !