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.
[...] website, louisburghhorseshow.ie. Robbie Fallon, of Cashel Bay Stud was a judge on the day, and makes mention on his site of how impressed he was with the general organisation and standard on display: “Run extremely [...]