Middlebrook, Va: Marynell Eyles has sent the following report. "Ridgetop Columbine (Aladdin's Denver x Wide Awake {TB}) owned by Walter Eyles and ridden by Jasmin Schierding of Germany, won their beginner novice division at the Wavertree Hall Horse Trials on Sept. 7, 2008. Ridgetop Blue Willow, owned by Debbie Bright and ridden by Erin Mungovan, won their division of Training at the same event. Also at the event were Alicia Daily with her Cady O'Daly Michael, (Tre Awain Goldsmith x *Cloud Shadows), and a halfbred gelding by Aladdin's Denver, bred by Andrea Howells of Clarke County, VA, who were both competing in the Novice division.

Spring Hill, FL: Karen Joyal has sent a report about her first Connemara, who she purchased about a year ago, Elderglen's Lilithe (Ballencrieff's Brogan [by Bluebeard] x Hideaway's Zwenski). Karen says, “I took her to her first schooling show a couple of weekends ago. She loaded right into the trailer for the short trip. I took Bailey (my non-Connemara mare) with her so she would have some company and I was also riding Bailey in a couple of the jumper classes. I took them over on Friday and she settled right into her stall. I was a bit concerned how she would do in the stall overnight, since I only lock her in to eat her meals. She was upset when I took Bailey out for a ride. Of course, Bailey only made it worse by answering Lilly's every whinny! I ponied Lilly off Bailey after I finished riding Bailey in the ring. I took her all over the showgrounds and she was an absolute gem. Of course, she is happy to pony off Bailey almost anywhere. I had taken the two of them to the Cypress Creek well field for a trail ride a couple of weekends before the show so I could get an idea of how Lilly would react again in the trailer, etc. They were both fantastic. Lilly happily followed along and did not spook at anything - even the wild hogs in the woods! I entered Lilly in a Model Pony class just to get her in the ring. She was very good, but I had to have someone hold Bailey by the ring so I could get Lilly up there. Lilly was very good in the ring, although she would not stand still in the line up. She trotted around in hand just fine. I was very pleased with her first show excursion. She seems to be maturing slowly, so I have not yet started her under saddle and do not plan to until next year. She is happily wearing a saddle and bridle, working quietly in the round pen with ground driving, etc. She loves people and can't get enough attention.” The photos show Lilly working last weekend.

Red Bluff, CA: Maureen Mathisen sends news that Blue Oak’s Pooka, her son of *Lasrachai, has had a surprise baby. The dam is owned by Joan Latty. She was bred by AI and then leased as a lesson pony. But she never showed any signs of being in foal........the woman who leased her had the vet out to look at her a week before she was due, and the VET said NO need to check her, she's not going to foal.....But not too long after, Pooka’s first son was born! He also has two fillies on the ground. One of the fillies is shown in the photo.

Poitiers, France: The annual show of the French Connemara Pony Society was held the last weekend in August. The supreme champion was Kyrielle Melody (Idenoir x Silver Sparrow) owned by Haras Melody- Hubert Laurent ; Kingstown Rory (Monaghanstown Fionn x Kingstown Silver - full brother to Kingstown Dana, who was the Clifden Champion) was reserve supreme champion. The junior champion was the 2 y.o filly Sitelle Dundee (Grange Surf Sparrow x Tourterelle Melody) and her reserve was Too Gilian Seguret (Odysseus Melody x Niftygillian's Séguret).
Pictures can be found on the new French Society web site : http://www.connemara-france.com/

Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Jocelyn Davies sends this from the fabulous Spruce Meadows show. She says every one who went had a great weekend in Calgary, where, every year teams of horses and ponies compete in the Battle of the Breeds. The Connemara team has been consistent winners for many years. She says, “Team Connemara did very well, some bad luck but all in all a very respectable showing. We placed 5th overall out of 11 teams and our prize money was just over $3300.00 so our entry and expenses were all paid. It's a truly wonderful way to promote our breed. Team Mule were the deserving champions and I was very happy for them. Team Thoroughbred also were consistent and right on. Team Morgan just beat us for overall 4th place by one point! It was a very strong competition this year.” Some photos can be found at http://www.sportponymagazine.com

Pinehurst, NC: Don’t forget!! On Oct 2-5 the ACPS will hold its annual meeting at the Hampton Inn and the Pine Needles Resort in this horse-y North Carolina town. Highlights of the meeting will be a clinic by Judy Wardrope, conformation guru, and a talk by one of the most successful Irish breeders, Henry O’Toole. See the July-August American Connemara, p 25 for complete details.

Thomson, Ga: And plan now for this…… Region 4 is going to offer an eventing clinic with Jimmy Wofford in conjunction with their show next year at Pine Top Farm in Thomson. The show will be on May 30 and the clinic on May 31 and June 1, 2009. For further information and the registration form see the Region 4 web site http://www.connemaras.com/Region4/home.html