Middleberg,Va: Numbers were down but there was no lack of enthusiasm at the 22nd Annual Region III Connemara Show at Glenwood Park in Middleburg, VA on July 19 and 20. Judges were Kathy Lucas for the purebreds and Donna Duckworth for the halfbreds. The in-hand classes were on Saturday morning. The Gelding class was won by Balmullo’s Billy Elliott (Gunsmoke X Balmullo’s Veronica), owned and handled by Susan Hearn. Nancy Salak’s Ridgetop Ballylee (Aladdin’s Denver x *Lickeen Ballerina), shown by Marynell Eyles, was the yearling futurity winner and also the winner of the yearling and two-year old class. Winner of the in-hand trail class was Glendale’s Peach Fuzz (C.R. Roaringwater Bay X Glendale Brooks and Dunn [by Aladdin’s Denver]), ably shown by Deb Norman. Best Purebred Connemara of the Day was Thurman Keepsake, Barbara Byrd’s Bluebeard daughter who was purebred champion at the Upperville show last year. She was also the winner of the mare class. Best Halfbred was Thurman Apple Strudle, a Connemara/Arab, owned and shown by Terrie Scheaffer.

A high point in Saturday’s activities was an Intermediare I demonstration by Dawn Weniger and her halfbred mare, Indecent Proposal. Adapting their ride to the small arena, they wowed the crowd and gave the dressage competitors something to aim for. Dawn and Indy are now preparing for the Grand Prix level. Dawn’s daughter, Anna, rode Dawn’s former mount, C.K. Emily Grey, to the High Point Junior Award.

On Sunday the most popular event of the weekend occurred…..the Fancy Dress Class. Anne Moe wrote this account….. “Eleven entries were introduced and interviewed by commentator and “judge” Deb Norman, and the variety of costumes and amount of work involved was truly impressive. Fancy Dress veteran extraordinaire *Callowfeenish Thunder, twenty-four years old, was dressed as an Irish flag, with three leprechaunish tots in green, white, and orange (plus Torr’s own little leprechaun who is included in every one of his costumes), not only sponsored the class, but handed out the ribbons. Little Richard Henry Catlett used his hand-held Irish flag to hold out the ribbon and exhibitors had to be brave enough to approach and pluck the ribbon from its staff. It is impossible to list all the clever ideas and details (you had to be there) but here are a few highlights: The Bassett Hound bumblebee in the “Butterfly in a Garden” entry was eyed askance by the ponies and cheered by the audience. AJ Jorsey’s “dalmation” aka Kyldeere’s Killybegs, was a work of art. The Hey-Diddle-Diddle crowd included not only the cat and the fiddle, but the cow jumping over the moon, the little dog laughing, and the dish and the spoon. And the Weniger family put everyone to work in their circus “tableaux” including Andrew as ringmaster, Grandma as a tightrope walker (complete with balance pole), and mom Dawn as a lion tamer complete with “lion.”

Middleburg, Charlottesville, and Middlebrook, Va: After the show was over inspections were begun. A total of 17 ponies were inspected in four nearby venues. Along with three inspectors, Donna Duckworth, Kathy Lucas, and Jill MacNichol, there were three I.C.’s and one husband that did the three-day inspection trip. The I.C.’s were Nancy Buchanan, Megan Buchanan Harris, and Sandi McShea. Five stallions were awarded premiums. These were Moxley Duncan, Hearnesbrook Dunoon, Grange Finch, Windy Isles and Aladdin’s Denver.

Browns Valley, CA: Five Year old Stallion Wildwych Eclipse (*Glenormiston Flurry Knox/Wildwych Dreamtime [by Aran Milano]) of Redbud Ranch competed at the Summer Moon Horse Trials. Widlwych Eclipse went double clear on Saturday, in his third ever Novice Horse Trial. Unfortunately a malfunction with his watch put owner/rider Max Gerdes just a few seconds behind the clock to finish the weekend in 2nd place.

Max and Lisa are also pleased to report that Redbud's Moonshadow (two year old partbred filly) as well as her dam EM Palladia in foal to Eclipse for 2009 have left for their new home in the Santa Barbara area. New qwners Molly and Ian Appel-Morse reported that both Moonshadow and Palladia were 'complete angels" for the seven hour journey and that both have settled right into their new home at A & M Ranch. We are delighted that Moonshadow will be getting both the training and exposure we'd hoped for as well as very much looking forwards to news of Palladia's foal when it arrives.

On another note Lisa has been working hard on the ACPS Region X Social Network--The Premium, Class List and Additional information about Region 10's upcoming Mountain and Moreland at Brookside Equestrian Park have just been added:http://acpsregionx.ning.com/

Jefferson, Maine: Rachael and David Richmond of Clary Connemaras sent the following report. (It was wonderful to know that there are Connemaras in Maine!!) “Clary Connemaras stands the young stallion, Woodchuck Ridge's Kirby Brown (Irish Park's Caraway Finn x Prospect's Bonnie Brown). This year, we were excited to welcome our third foal by "Jack"- a halfbred colt out of one of our sporthorse mare, Little High Horse . He has been named Clary's Hightop Hooligan- for both the symbol on his face and his mischievous personality! At four days old, he jumped between the rails and into the arena to join the lesson ponies in their work, and is running beautiful circles around his dam. He will be joining his two half sisters, Clary's Tupelo Honey (Woodchuck Ridge's Kirby Brown x RMF Irish Moonlight) and Clary's Penuche Fudge (Woodchuck Ridge's Kirby Brown x Divinity Fudge QH/Arab) in our big pasture to learn the Ways of the Pony. Our stallion is finishing up his breeding season and starting his first true season under saddle- being ridden by C2 Pony Clubber Ashley Zibura. He amazes us each day with his willingness, calm demeanor, and athleticism!” Rachel and David have graciously invited all visitors to Maine to visit them.

Eatonton, Ga: Rai Pullen reports that Wildwych Clio (Castle Baron X Glenormiston Amelia) has had a filly by Balmullo’s Gallagher (C.R. Roaringwater Bay X Balmullo’s Miss Emma). Last year Clio produced a filly by C. R. Roaringwater Bay, Balmullo’s Uproar, who is not only half sister to the new filly but also her aunt! Pony relationships can get complicated!

New Braintree, Ma: Trum-Searah Farm has sent this photo taken by Susie Mulliken. We knew Connemaras could jump, but straight up??? Owner Kathy says, “Susie caught my mare Tullymor's Lisa Supreme (Fieldstream Riley x Tullymor's Tiger Nelly) in flight.

This mare was excited to change pastures and was just showing off.”