APRIL/MAY 2023 ISSUE 159
Breeding in Connemara’s Heartlands
Lovelyhill Folklore in the Spotlight
At home with the Dukeshill Stud
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MADE IN OUR OWN
UK MILL
A word from our editor Dear Reader, At last I feel that my thickest, most weatherproof attire can gain some respite. I can’t be alone in wondering if the rain would ever end. For a few days at least, we’ve been granted reprieve and for that I’m grateful. RIHS and HOYS qualifiers are here, finally, and I’m excited to see the new faces you have to show this year. Recently I placed a post on my own social media account appealing to the masses for examples of natives engaging in disciplines other than showing. The response was overwhelming and I received almost 100 emails! I don’t have enough room in the magazine to do them all justice, but it’s fair to say we have a wonderful selection of performance ponies in this issue and I have some fantastic leads to follow up for the next few. Thank you to everyone who contacted me. I feel in awe of some of you and your ponies. As ever, please do keep me in the loop on what you are up to with your natives, from fundraising trekks to Badminton Grassroots, horseball, to showjumping, endurance and dressage. Not only is it a pleasure to read about them, but an honour to share your successes. My email address is beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk I just as indebted to the wonderful few who give up their time to collate news of each breed and to bring you informative columns, features and stunning photographs. To those few, I cannot stress how invaluable you are to me; thank you. Once again we have a packed issue, and once again discovered at printing time that we had overrun and needed to cut some content, saving it for the next issue. At this rate, the December issue is going to be bumper..! In the meantime, happy reading. Beth
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Contents 36
Features
10. UK Ponies and Horses Spring Classic 12. NPS Area 7 14. NPS Area 13 27. In the Spotlight: Lovelyhill Folklore 36. In the Spotlight: The Dukeshill Stud
Regulars 23. Lammerside Fell ponies 30. Performance Ponies 43. Breed News
17
12
27
COVER PHOTO: Photo by Ruth Chamberlain, of Gilly Chippendale and Welsh section B, Bunbury Sandringham Disclaimer: The view and opinions expressed within the magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or Showing World Limited and while every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the magazine is correct and current at the date of publication, Showing World Limited will not accept any liability. Showing World Limited will not be held responsible for the appearance of photographic material supplied without the necessary consent, copyright and/or photographer’s details.
In addition, Showing World Limited offers no guarantee of publication and reserve the right to edit any reader’s letters, press releases, reports and articles submitted. Showing World Limited 2023. All rights reserved. No part of Native Pony may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or shared in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to; electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of Showing World Limited.
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Colt inspections Clifden
Photos by Rynes Walker Photography | by Clare Silke
A SPARKLING START TO CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society celebrate Spring Weekend The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society recently commenced their Centenary year celebrations. The ‘Spring Weekend’ schedule of events recognised the extraordinary milestone in both the history of the Society and of the Connemara pony breed itself. Founded in 1923, the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society acknowledged the foresight of the first council to preserve and improve Ireland’s unique native pony, and the contribution the breed has made to the economy and development of Connemara, as the pony has found success and homes around the globe. The weekend kicked off with spring colt inspections, which evaluate the performance of young male ponies in accordance with the breed standards for classification in the Studbook. Two days of inspections (Thursday and Friday) were held in Creagh Equestrian Center, Ballinasloe with the final day - Saturday - moving to the Showgrounds in Clifden. Fifty ponies were presented over the three days, sixteen* of which achieved Class 1, eight achieved Class 2 and twenty-five remained Class 3. Centenary celebrations got underway on the Friday evening at Station House Theatre in Clifden. The students of Clifden Community School lead by teacher Olivia Staunton showcased a series of projects including an interview series ‘Your life with the Connemara Pony.’ Edited by Leaving Cert student Ciara Heanue, students discussed their experiences with the Connemara Pony as part of family life, what areas of management and riding they enjoyed most, the qualities they admire in the breed and their ambitions for the future. A young Malachy Gorham talked about ‘show-itis’ ahead of Clifden Show week, something many can relate to, as part of the excitement in preparing ponies for summer shows.
continues to have on this region and speak on the importance of the Connemara pony in their lives and their own future plans for the breed. After a week of rain Saturday saw the sun come out and shine on Clifden for the first of this year’s events at the Show Grounds. With the final day of this week’s colt and stallion inspection taking place between the sand and grass arenas the All Ireland Farrier organized by Bryan and Niamh O’Halloran competition showcased the skills of the trade by farriers from around the country. In the evening centenary celebrations return to the Station House Theater with the launch of An Capillín, Volume 21. The Society’s annual magazine is a bumper edition for the year that it is, consisting of 209 pages packed full of all that Connemara ponies, breeders, riders and owners have been achieving around the world in 2022. The 2023 Stallion directory lists ponies standing in Ireland for this year along with the results from the Connemara Pony Show last summer which are also included. A momentous section of the evening was the Hall of Fame awards with Chris Ryan overseeing the Rosedale Frankie owner Mikayala Costello
Music was performed on the night by young local musicians and written projects on the history of the breed and some of the coveted class cups from the Connemara Pony show were on display. It was a heartwarming start to the celebrations hearing the students who demonstrated the impact this breed info@showingworldonline.co.uk | April/May 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 5