Welcome to the American Connemara Pony Society Web Site

Do you have news about your Connemara that you would like to share with other ACPS members? News from all over the world is welcome. Email Donna Duckworth with the details and any photos to connemaras@windstream.net. Show results, results of inspections, new foals or unusual adventures especially welcome! The sire and dam of any ponies should be included. Please note that any professional photos must be accompanied by a photographer's release before they can be used.

Woodstock, Vt: At the Region 1 show, with Kathy Lucas judging, the champion stallion was *Coral Bobby (Coral Dun x Sandy Dawn) owned by Gary Bolger of Waterfield Farm in Walpole,Ma. Purebred mare 4-7 winner was *Smokey Valley (Glenvalley Grey X Smokey Aine) also owned by the Bolgers.

The Bolger family has been raising Connemaras in Ireland for many years. *Smokey Valley went on to be Champion Connemara in Hand. Youngstock Champion was Tower Hill Breeze, owned by Sally Oxnard. Grand Champion Connemara and winner of the Versatility Award was Bantry Bay's Kenny. Complete results will be in the American Connemara.

Lexington, Ky: At the 2007 USEF National Pony Finals the week of August 13, Balmullo’s Azalea (CR Roaringwater Bay X Courtney’s April Frolic), shown as OOH LA LA, was 10th in the Over Fences phase and finished 12th Overall (out of 73 ponies!) in the Large Green Pony Division. The overall ratings are based on the over fences class as well as a hack and a model class. Azalea is owned and ridden by Katherine Woodruff of Hallsville, Missouri.

Millbrook, NY: On August 12, Windy Hollow Lilia (Seabornes Flagship X HH Greystone Irish Wind) ridden by Katherine Short, won the training rider division of the Millbrook Horse Trials. She finished with her dressage score of 34.7. Lilia is owned by Amy Plavin.

Lexington, Va: Micaela Mabragaña writes the following about her experience at the North American Young Riders Championships in Virginia last week. Micaela is a working student of Lendon Grey’s and rides Ballywhim Ardan Mor (Tre Awain Dobh McDuff X Ballywhim Ethylyn [X Greystone Dallen McMor]) also known as Danny: “It was so much fun, and such an amazing experience. I was the only one riding a small horse, so we had all the eyes on us!! everybody was watching him n the warm up area and everytime I was hand walking him I would hear "oh he is so cute". The first day we did really well, we finished 25 out of almost 50, with a 64.9% He was so good the whole test. And the crowed went crazy !!!!!!!! So much fun!!! The second test was good too, expect we had two booboos in the extended trot and one in the 3 tempis , which they were awsome until the last one when he started hopping up and down, very wierd. But I was still happy, he was really good, and we got a 62,9%. We didn't make it to the freestyle, but I had a great time and two great rides.”

Clifden, Ireland: On August 16, the annual Clifden Pony show was held. Laura Balding of Tre Awain Connemaras in St. Louis was one of 4 judges. The Grand Champion was Henry O’Toole’s mare, Castle Urchin (Abbeyleix Owen X Castle Dame). The reserve was Kingstown Dana (Monaghanstown Fionn X Kingstown Silver), winner of the 6-7 year old mare class. She was bred by Joe Gorham. Henry also had the best yearling filly, Castle Jewel who is by Fredriksminde Hazy Match and out of Castle Urchin. Many in this country will remember Henry from the inspection tour he did in this country several years ago in which he traveled throughout New York and New England as well as to Canada with a groups of ACPS inspectors. Complete show results can be found at http://www.cpbs.ie/page.aspx?id=21 (Or click on the CPBS link.)

Dublin, Ireland: At the Royal Dublin Horse Show the Champion Stallion, Grand Champion Connemara, and winner of the 'Michael O'Connell' Perpetual Challenge Trophy was Edenmist Pride of Thieves (Prince of Thieves x Garryhack Pride). He is owned by Denise Norton, Edenmist Stud, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. The Reserve was Cashelbay Mary (Fredriksminde Hazy Match X Coosheen Pheasant) owned by Robert Fallon, Cashel Bay Connemara Pony Stud, Cashel, Co. Galway.