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Big Day on Homeground in Clifden!

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:05:58 +0000

Despite all of his success over the years, it was a very special feeling when Cashelbay Prince made his return to Clifden (where he won his first red ribbon as a yearling) and was judged the Supreme Working Hunter Champion of the show.

His producers – Pascal and Claire Crawford – and his rider Padraig Flanagan have a lot to be thanked for. The Crawfords are, in my opinion, the best pony producers out there, and the fruits of their labour can be seen in Cashelbay Prince’s phenomenal success throughout the years. As for Padraig, who started with Prince about two years ago, he clearly has a great talent and a bright future ahead of him.

Cashelbay Prince put the icing on the cake for us later in the day, when he competed in the Puissance contest. Although the standard had risen remarkably since last year, Prince rose to the challenge and sailed over the wall in the five permitted rounds. He ended up clearing the Wall at a height of 1m55, and joined the remaining five ponies to share in the victory.

To win in Clifden, on our home turf, has a very special meaning for us, and Prince’s wins will long be remembered and cherished.

Thank you to all who wished us well and were so supportive!

Claremorris, Balmoral, and Louisburgh

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:01:24 +0000

Claremorris Show has the unenviable position of being the first show on the circuit, held as it was on the 23rd May, when ponies are generally only getting into show condition. It is however, well established, and is now regarded as one of the big shows of the year. The great turnout and big classes of 2010 can only encourage an increased profile for the Connemara on its show bill in coming years. Cormac Hanley and his team (who should congratulate themselves for the smooth running of the Show) were kind enough to ask me to join Nicola Musgrave and England’s Pam Clingam as a Judge. I was very happy to oblige, and found that we worked very well together indeed. Jarlath Grogan’s Mountain Cascade was our Supreme Champion of the show, with Patrick Conneely’s very nice 3yo colt – who had already secured his place as Junior Champion – an excellent Reserve.

Balmoral Show is probably one of the most high-profile agricultural shows on the island of Ireland, and a fantastic shop window for breeders of Connemara Ponies. It’s high level of professionalism, and the dedication and hard work brought to the task by such enthusiasts as Ann and Derek Henderson, helped to ensure a big spectator turnout at the ring sides this year. The faith of the organisers in advancing the presence of the breed has been justified, and seen to be so, and we can look forward with hope that Connemara classes will be included in ever increasing breath year on year. The May 22nd issue of The Irish Field noted the ‘huge interest’ to the Connemara classes – both of which were sponsored by the Northern Ireland Connemara Pony Breeders Association – and the ‘massive response’ to the Ridden classes in particular. The two classes consisted of a class for Registered Connemara Mares, 3 years and upward, with or without foal; and also a class (for the first time) for Registered Ridden Connemaras, Mares or Geldings, 4 years old and over.

In the In-Hand ring, Francis and Deirdre O’Reilly from Co.Louth took first place in the class for mares four years and over, with or without foal, and also lifted the Henderson and Graham Trophy with their 2009 Dublin Supreme Champion mare Glenmore Kelly’s Owen. Claire Oakes (Navan) and I were delighted to be asked to judge the Ridden classes, where we were faced with twenty seven ponies in the ring! There was a great deal of good, typey ponies that fitted the breed characteristics very well, and all were extremely well produced – especially considering the show’s early place in the calendar. The 13 year old Blackwood Fernando – beautifully ridden by Alicia Devlin Byrne from Co. Wicklow – was judged the overall ridden champion receiving the R.J. Monteith Cup. I was certainly impressed and delighted with my time at Balmoral, and certainly consider it to be well worth the trip up from the south. A show I can only see going from strength to strength in the future.

Louisburgh can, with justification, lay claim to being certainly one of the most scenically beautiful shows in Ireland (or, indeed, anywhere). Again joined by Claire Oakes, I was thrilled to be asked to wear the Judge’s bowler against the backdrop of Clare Island. Run extremely well by Tommy Bennett’s committee, whose organisation impressed me very much, and excellently marshalled by our Ring Steward Joe, Louisburgh saw some big classes this year – particularly in the 2yo filly and 3-6yo and 7+yo mare classes. The 2yo filly class was quite strong, but the show in general displayed good quality, well produced ponies. The breeders present deserve all due credit for turning out their ponies to such a commendable standard. Champion Connemara was Beechmount Brona with Lui Na Greine as Reserve.

BCPS Show 2010 on the Way

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:51:18 +0000

Our oldest friends, the British Connemara Pony Society, are currently putting the final touches to their preparations for ther annual show. It will take place over two days on the Arboretum Field, Warwickshire Agricultural College. The Ridden Show will be on Saturday 17th July and the In Hand Show on Sunday 18th July. It promises to be a great occasion and a meeting place for enthusiasts from all over.

New Arrival in June, Prince and Cruise in Winning Form

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:43:37 +0000

We’re delighted to welcome a new addition to Cashelbay Stud – Cashelbay Lad, a beautiful dun colt out of Cashelbay Lady by Riverside Lad. We hope to take a few nice photos of him over the coming month. His arrival has certainly put a nice finish to an eventful past few weeks.

Cashelbay Misty

At Galway Couty Show (19th, 20th June), Cashelbay Cruise (currently available for lease) won the stallion class, following on from his victories at Roundford where he placed first in his class and was also placed Reserve Champion of the show.

Also at Galway, Cashelbay Misty, currently jumping with Phoebe Collin, placed a very impressive third place out of a field of over forty ponies and has as a result qualified for the RDS. We would like to congratulate Phoebe on her success – and wish her the best of luck in Dublin!

Cashelbay Prince has continued his winning tradition with another top performance in Longford, where, in the Over 8′s Performance Hunter Qualifier, he qualified for the 153 class in Dublin and carried an almost perfect points score.

CPBS 2010 Election Results

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:48:20 +0000

In the first Council elections since the AGM, Dermot Power has been returned as President of the organisation, with Ann Reade and John Riordan being successfully elected to the chairs of Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Two Council members resigned their seats: Tomás Mac Lochlainn and Mossie Joyce. Some committees were not formed, as members were not prepared to fill the positions.

Senior Judging Seminar

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:55:57 +0000

I found the Senior Judges Seminar, at the Galway Bay Hotel on the 16th of May last, very interesting and educational. Phillip Scott and Padraic Hynes spoke in detail on what to look for in the ring; encouraging the placement of Type, Conformation, Bone and Movement – in that order – in the judging process, which I firmly agree with.

Big Success for Connemaras at Balmoral

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:53:38 +0000

Judging the In-hand and riding classes in Blamoral with Claire Oakes, I thought the ten or so In-hand ponies to be very well produced, with some very nice, typey connemaras on display. The Ridden class was the first Ridden Connemara class to be held at Balmoral, and received an overwhelming response with the limit of thirty two places easily filled. Also a very, very strong class, with lots of very good, well turned-out, and again typey ponies. I can see, from the interest from the crowd, these classes growing in the future.

Cashelbay Native in New Home!

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:51:14 +0000

Cashelbay Native and her three week old filly foal at foot have been recently sold to Sarah Riley of County Down, N.I. We wish her every success and we’re sure she’s got a very special mare!

What a Weekend at Northern Ireland Festival!

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:59:56 +0000

At the recent Northern Ireland Festival, held in Cavan Equestrian Center over the 16th and 17th of April, Cashelbay Prince did our Connemara Pony proud again, competing against all breeds and winning four championships, one Supreme Championship, and one Reserve Supreme – in four different disciplines. In the end, he took gold in Dressage, the Riding class, Show Jumping, and M&M Working Hunter.

This comes on the heels of another top performance at the Sligo finals held a fortnight before, where he turned in another spectacular showing – winning three classes and going on to take the M&M Championship and the Reserve Working Hunter Championship.

We’re looking forward to seeing how he does over the coming months!

International Connemara Pony Conference

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:00:14 +0000

An International Connemara Pony Conference will be held on Saturday April 24th 2010 at the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The Programme will include the following speakers over the course of the day:

Starting On The Right Foot
The latest Shoeing Techniques with Mr.Jeremy Stanley Chairman of the Master Farriers Association.
The Feeding Regime from Birth to Bridle
Ms. Wendy Conlon Equine Specialist at Teagasc.Athenry.
Breeding the Problem Mare and the Advantages / Disadvantages of Natural Cover, A.I. and F.S.
Ms. Stefania Bucca DV M. Somerton Equine Hospital, Co. Kildare.
What the Inspector Should Look for Through The Eyes of a Vet
Mr.David McCann M.R.C.V.S.
The Influence of the Connemara Pony in Sweden from 1968 to 2010
Nina Gustafson. from Lofty Connemara Pony Stud in Sweden and well known International Judge.
Producing for Performance
Ms. Mary McCann, Internationally acclaimed as a Judge – Stud Master – Producer of Champion Connemara Ponies, including Ashfield Bobby Sparrow
A Global Perspective of the Connemara Pony
Ms. Tuula Pyoria, from Finland Judge and President of the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies

Pre Booking Essential!

For further details & Registration contact:
Seamus Hynds: 086 8305073; seamushynds@yahoo.ie
Ruth Rogers: P.R.O. 087 2540164; rodgersruth@eircom.net
Richard Whelan: 086 2579114; richard.whelan@coillte.ie
Secretary: Mary Rabbitt 044 9226489