National News

TEAM CONNEMARA WINS THE BATTLE OF THE BREEDS AT SPRUCE MEADOWS

Each year in early September, Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta Canada, one of the premier show jumping facilities in the world, hosts the Masters tournament. This leading equestrian event, features the world's best horses and riders who compete for around US $2 million in prize money. A very popular event that is part of the Masters’ Tournament is the Telus "Battle of the Breeds". Two horses or ponies from a team of four of a breed compete in five different events. There is $50,000 in prize money and teams can only be entered by their breed association. The five events are Compulsory Skills in either dressage, driving or reining, Jeopardy Jumping, Barrel Racing, Jeopardy Trail, and Precision Driving. The two Jeopardy classes have a final obstacle with 100 points which can be gained or lost and are optional. Each equine must compete in at least two of the events. The scores of the two competing ponies in each event are combined and ranked. The team with the most cumulative points is named breed champions.

Connemaras have entered a team most of the last 10 years. In the early years they normally ended up about half way down the 11 or 12 teams. Breeds such as Quarter Horses and Arabians had thousands of animals from which to choose a team, compared with our small numbers. In both 2003 and 2004 we made 2nd place, having won some of the individual classes. This year Team Connemara were the winners, besting 12 other breeds!

Competing in the Battle of the Breeds were Bien Mallin's Rory O'Sullivan (Landgate's Holy Smoke) owned by M & M Connemaras ridden by Chelsea MacNeil (Langley, British Colombia), Hillside Sassafras (Aladdin) owned by M & M Connemaras & ridden Brian Morten (Langley ,British, Columbia), Rills Carrick Fergus (Scottsway Bali Hi) owned by Eloden Connemaras ridden by Elsie Priddie (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) and Avenn's Airrin Tara ( Cormac McCarthney) owned by Devon Ridge Connemaras and driven by Marsoe La Rouseau (Aldergrove, BC). Bien Mallins Rory O'Sullivan learned to drive this spring specifically so we could have a driving pony available for Battle of the Breeds. Hats off to Melanie White, who really stepped up to the plate. Elsie Priddy is a 1st time Battle of the Breeds competitor with Rills Fergus and really pulled out all stops!

The final placings of the Connemaras were:
Compulsary - 5th
Jumping - 2nd
Precision Driving - 1st
Barrel Racing - 2nd
Trail - 5th

The first day was a little disappointing with Chelsea McNeil on the 13.2 hh stallion Bein Mallin Rory O’Sullivan, and Brian Morton on the 15 hh mare Hillside Sassafras placing only 5th in Compulsory Skills. In the afternoon they ended up 2nd in the jumping behind only the T.B’s. Both took and were successful at the 3’6” vertical jeopardy jump.

The next day saw the obstacle driving class. They were fortunate enough to have the very experienced Marsoe Larose to drive both ponies (this is allowed in one class only). The course was very tricky and included a painted circle to be straddled without a wheel touching, plus the normal water and wood bridge obstacles. He had a beautiful and fast round with the very experienced mare Avenns Arrin Terra. His second drive was with “Rory” who has only been driven for 3 months. They were also fast and knocked only one obstacle, which placed them first.

The barrel racing competition always draws a big crowd and is in the Sand Ring. It was Elsie Priddy’s first time at the “Battle” and she flew round in excellent time on her 6 year old gelding Rills Carrick Fergus. Brian Morton and “Sassy” had an incredible time of 23 seconds (4 barrels in this competition not 3) which put Connemaras 2nd behind only the Quarter Horses. They started Saturday in the lead facing a most difficult trail class. Obstacles included riding through strips of hanging plastic, carrying flags, crossing wood bridges and pushing an enormous ball between poles. Elsie and “Fergus” had an excellent round and were successful in the final jeopardy test of hitting a ball through a gate with a polo mallet. “Rory” and Chelsea had an exceptionally good round, but Team Captain, Bridget Wingate did want them to try the jeopardy, as they had sufficient points to win the whole Battle without risking the 100 points.

Winners of the Battle go on to the International Ring in a parade of all the prize winners to receive their trophy. Team Connemara lined up in the collecting ring with all the “greats” of the show jumping world before treading the hallowed ground in front of an enormous audience. Said Bridget, “ driving round the International ring behind Ian Millar, Nick Skelton and the like is hard to beat!” She added, “We could not have paid for the exposure of all those people seeing 4 beautifully turned out and perfectly behaved purebred ponies, with the name “Connemara” mentioned over the loud speaker at least a dozen times.” Go Team Connemara!!!!

Inspection Nomination Deadline Extended

The deadline to nominate ponies for inspections in the Fall has been extended. For inspections in Pennsylvania, New England, and Indiana the deadline will be September 1. For the inspections in California and Virginia the deadline remains June 1. Ponies may be nominated after this date but excess fees will apply.

Congratulations ACPS!

The American Connemara Pony Society received a letter dated 28 October 2005 from the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society of Ireland, signed by Tom MacLochlainn, president, stating the following:

"It gives us great pleasure to inform you that the American Connemara Pony Society (ACPS) has been granted fully approved status by the CPBS to operate under the ICCPS rules. The CPBS commends you highly on the hard work,enthusiasm, and vision that you bring to the promotion of the breed in the United States.

Wishing you every success for the future.
Yours sincerely,
Niamh Philbin, secretary
Tom MacLochlainn, President."

ACPS Board of Governors Meeting Minutes

September 9th, 2005 - Estes Park, Colorado

Click here to view in PDF format