News.
Catch upon all the latest news from Cashelbay Stud here
26/03/24
It was another spectacular weekend for all the Cashelbay Team! Michael and our young sporthorse, Cashelbay Mr Solomons (Seabreeze Mirah x Cashelbay Saphire ish) went to Ower Equestrian Centre, where Cashelbay Solomons jumped like a horse more advanced in years and experience, winning and qualifying for the Northern Ireland Festival in both the 80cm working hunter class and the 95cm small hunter horse class!
For a horse who has never competed over jumps and only once before competed in flat ridden, we simply could not ask more of him! We are absolutely thrilled and are eagerly looking forward to his future and the Northern Ireland Festival!
Special thanks to all at Ower Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway for another brilliant show and to everyone who helped out on the day, and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
22/03/24
Last Monday the Cashelbay Team had a most enjoyable bank holiday at the Irish Pony Society Western Area Spring Show at Duffys Equestrian Centre!
Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) proved that he is ready to take the world by storm, winning his working hunter class, winning his ridden class, qualifying for the Northen Ireland Festival, and winning the Ridden Connemara Championship!
While Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow II) was not the judges choice on this occasion, as she was a bit fresh on the day, she still placed a respectable 3rd in her class, and continues to learn and grow with every outing she has.
Hugely well done and thank you to all at the Irish Pony Society Western Region for putting on another spectacular Show, it was a great day out, and a thoroughly enjoyable way to wrap up the St Patrick’s weekend festivities.
Photo courtesy of Joe Burke
17/02/24
The Irish Pony Society Western Area Winter Woollies Training Show at Ower Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway yesterday was an excellent opportunity to get the ponies out and about for light competition in the pre-showing season, and the Cashelbay ponies did not disappoint!
Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) was first out in the Working Hunter Class and jumped beautifully securing the first red rosette of the day. Cashelbay Mellow(Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow II) was next out in the ridden classes where she too behaved immaculately, earning her first place in both of her classes! Results such as these can never be taken for granted and we are thoroughly delighted, and very proud of these homebred ponies!
Well done to all fellow competitors and organisers for a great day out!
Now as spring progresses we look to various qualifiers for the upcoming show season, look forward to meeting all our new arrivals and we gladly welcome the lengthening days, warmer temperatures and drier conditions!
Looking forward to catching up with everyone after the long winter, see you all at the ringside soon!
16/02/23
Spring has finally landed, and so has the first foal of 2024 here at Cashelbay Stud! We were delighted to be introduced to this charming filly foal by Seabreeze Mirah out of our own homebred mare Cashelbay Jenny (Ice And Fire D’Albran x Cashelbay Lady Sue ex Cashelbay Rocket) on Tuesday morning, and she has continued to charm us ever since.
Despite the rather dreary weather this is the first sign that spring is most definitely here, and we look forward to welcoming the rest of our new arrivals, along with longer days, and balmier temperatures in the coming weeks and months ahead!
2023 was a year in which we can look back and remember fondly as a year of celebrations. Starting in the Spring, with the beginning of the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society centenary celebrations we were more than honoured, and deeply appreciative to receive induction to the CPBS Hall of Fame during the Spring festival. Following that, qualifying and competing with our established and younger stock in the Northern Ireland Festival, Dublin Horse Show and Clifden where we managed to pick up more wins, and fond memories. Cashelbay Shadow achieving Class 1 status in the Autumn inspections did us proud, and featuring on RTE’s Nationwide was another exceptional high point during our year (if not our career!). Having our home bred Cashelbay JJ winning the Horse & Hound, Horse Of A Lifetime Award at the Annual awards in November was a dream we didn’t ever expect to achieve, and we are thrilled beyond belief.
This year was also about new beginnings and transitions. Many of our younger stock made their debut appearances in the likes of Dublin and Clifden, Ballinrobe and Monivea learning their craft and honing their skills with each outing. Others, such as Cashelbay Shadow, have gone to 5 star homes to continue flying the flag for Irish bred Connemara Ponies and horses around the world.
The next generation are the superstars of the future, and that is not restricted to just the ponies, but to the next generation of breeders, riders, and handlers that we had the pleasure showing alongside and working with, most recently at the West Workshops in Showing & Dressage which have been taking place on a monthly basis over the Autumn and Winter. These young competitors are the future of showing and breeding in Ireland, and it is a joy to see them progressing with each workshop, under the careful eye of Judy Cazabon and the team, and it has been a pleasure to be a part of that team.
Our list of thanks to everyone this year is surely exhaustive. Special thanks to all at the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society for our Hall of Fame induction, truly an honour, and for organising the year-long centenary celebrations. To Ann Marie O Callaghan, Anne Cassin and Martin Hartnett from RTE Nationwide for showcasing the Connemara Pony so beautifully to the world. To everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for Cashelbay JJ in the Horse and Hound, Horse of A Lifetime Awards, we offer our deepest thanks and appreciation, as a breeder it really is a dream come true! To all the various show committees for working tirelessly to make sure that shows run smoothly, it is a pleasure to attend each and every one throughout the season. And to everyone who has helped us in any way throughout the year, Thank you!
2023 was a year of reflection, but also a year in which we look to the future. 100 years ago this month the first Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society meeting took place. We look back on the hard work they did, and where we are now, due to their hard work and perseverance. We now look ahead to what we can do for the generations of the future, and what we can do to ensure the future of our beloved Connemara Ponies.
We wish everyon
23/11/23
Everyone at Cashelbay Stud is beyond ecstatic to receive the news that Cashelbay JJ (Castleside JJ x Ballybawn Cashel) has won the highly prestigious Horse & Hound awards 2023, Agria Horse Of A Lifetime Award! These awards are not given lightly, and as the breeder of this amazing pony it means the world to us, confirming that the choice of cross years ago was the right one when we took the chance with 2 duns, and the result was this magnificent pony! Congratulations to all connections of the amazing Cashelbay JJ, from the Leavesleys who purchased him all those years ago, and started his education, to Polly Eddis who has an amazing eye for a good horse. Polly spotted his potential and produced him to the pinnacle of his career alongside daughter Lucy and sister Susie, winning across the boards in Royal Windsor, Royal International and Dublin Horse Show as well as an outstanding 7 times in HOYS and many more! To most recently his leasee and rider Maisie Kivlochan, who rode him to 2nd place in The Royal International Horse Show this year and continues to event and enjoy this amazing pony every day.
Everyone has contributed to making Cashelbay JJ the outstanding star that he is, and we wish to thank the Horse & Hound, and all who nominated him for this award, for everyone who took the time to vote for this very special pony, we are truly grateful, and to everyone who has sent us such sincere messages of congratulation which have been non stop since!
For us, this is further celebration of the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society centenary year, showing how far the Connemara Pony has come and how far they can go, and hope that our beloved Connemara Ponies continue showing the world how brilliant, intelligent and diverse they can be both at home and internationally!
Again, huge thanks and congratulations to everyone who helped to make this amazing achievement possible, it truly means the world to us!
18/11/23
This week we bid farewell to our recently classified homebred stallion Cashelbay Shadow(Carrowmore Shadow x Cashelbay Mary )and our homebred filly Cashelbay Pumpkin (Pumkins Pondi x Cashelbay Amy)as they venture forth to fly the flag for Cashelbay Stud abroad.
Breeding constitutes just a part of what makes the Connemara Pony so famous, and sourcing the correct homes and producers to help our ponies reach their full potential is very important to us. We are delighted to know the home they are going to and just know that they will do us proud in the future!
Other recent departures from Cashelbay Stud were Cashelbay Lady Sue (Cashelbay Rocket x Kippure Oprah) and Cashelbay Autumn Bloom (Cashelbay Prince x Cashelbay Esmeralda) who have arrived in their new 5 star homes in the U.S.
We always love to hear how our homebred ponies are getting on in their new homes, and wish all the new owners the very best of luck with their ponies in the future! If you have a Cashelbay pony we would love to hear from you!
02/10/23
Autumn is often known as “The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness “, and fruitful it certainly proved to be if last week was anything to go by.
Monday saw us take our homebred stallion Cashelbay Shadow (Silver Shadow x Cashelbay Mary ex Hazy Match and Coosheen Pheasant) to the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society Autumn Stallion Inspections at Creagh Equestrian Centre, where he behaved like the consummate gentleman and achieved his Class 1 status!
Everyone at Cashelbay Stud is delighted by this result, making him the latest in a line of Cashelbay bred and produced stallions to achieve Class 1 status, and we wish to thank all the Inspection Committee, the arena party, judges, and all at Creagh Equestrian Centre for all their hard work on the day.
Closely followed by Monday’s result was the beautifully produced RTE Nationwide feature which aired on Wednesday night. It was a monumental honour to be included alongside well established breeders and industry professionals as part of the Nationwide feature which focused on the Clifden Connemara Pony Show, and the ongoing Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society Centennial celebrations. To see our beloved Connemara Ponies promoted in such a positive fashion both in Ireland and abroad fills us with pride and gives us great hope for the future of the breed as a whole, and we wish to express our most heartfelt thanks to all who were involved in this production.
With life back to reality now, we look to our seasonal jobs. Like so many breeders and producers across the country and beyond, foals are being weaned, young stock are being brought in for breaking, winter rugs are being brought out in advance of the colder months to come, and we start to look forward to yet another season. See you all soon!
10/09/23
Cashelbay Mr Solomons
Today we made our way to Monivea Show with our untried young sport horse gelding Cashelbay Mr Solomons (Seabreeze Mirah x Cashelbay Saphire), where he showed maturity beyond his years and placed 2nd in his first ever ridden class!
This young gelding is very special to us, with a kind nature, and always eager to please, he has been produced slowly throughout the year, learning the ropes at home, and behaving like a perfect gentleman in the showring.
With a start like this, we are very excited to see what Cashelbay Mr Solomons will do in the future!
Huge thanks and well done to all the Monivea Show team, judges, stewards and volunteers, and special thanks to our sponsors and all who helped out throughout the day.
Cashelbay Mr Solomons
06/09/23
As the Summer showing season gradually winds down for another year, what better way to spend the day last Sunday but at the beautiful Ballinrobe Agricultural Show, where we received the bonus of the season when our lightly shown mare Ballinderry Polly(Illaunurra Lad x Beech Honey ex Monaghanstown Boy) did us extremely proud winning the 7-12 year old in hand mare class!
Ballinderry Polly has been very lightly campaigned, but has proven to be a good broodmare in the past and we look forward to seeing her with foal at foot again next year.
Huge thanks and well done to all the committee and organisers of Ballinrobe Show, it truly is a credit to all your hard work. Also, congratulations and well done to all our fellow competitors and exhibitors who we have had the pleasure of competing alongside throughout the season. Without such dedicated breeders and producers the shows would not be the success that they are. Not forgetting, of course, our longstanding sponsors who help us every step of the way, many thanks as always.
Now that things are starting to settle down we are getting the chance to turn our attentions to other endeavours over the Autumn and Winter!
23/08/23
This year’s Clifden Pony Show and CPBS Centennial Celebrations lived up to our expectations and then exceeded them!
Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) got the week off to a great start, winning the in-hand gelding class first thing on Wednesday morning.
After lunch we had the honour of taking part in the parade of previous champions. Having a supreme in-hand champion at Clifden has alway been our dream, and to parade alongside the other illustrious champions was an experience of a lifetime!
Wrapping up the first day, Cashelbay Rocket (Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty) placed 3rd in the in-hand stallion class.
On Thursday, Cashelbay Prionsa Og continued on his winning streak, winning the 6 – 8 year old ridden pony class in the morning, and the afternoon saw us participate in the parade of former ridden champions with both Cashelbay Rocket and Cashelbay Prince( I Love You Melody x Coosheen Pheasant)!
Friday saw Cashelbay Prionsa Og compete in the High Performance Working Hunter Class. Unfortunately it was not to be on this occasion, but we are still very proud of his achievements to date. In the afternoon Cashelbay Prince took to the ring yet again, in the parade of previous working hunter champions alongside the other greats from years gone by.
Our other competitors throughout the week were Cashelbay Mellow and Tra Bhain Suimiuil, and while they were not the judge’s choice on the day, they continue to hone their skills and learn from every outing.
We would like to extend our biggest thanks and congratulations to all at the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society for an exceptional show, recognising the mammoth amount of work that was put into the planning and organising, and we wish to congratulate all our fellow competitors on their achievements throughout the week! We truly had an amazing time and look forward to see you all again soon!
10/08/23
Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow II) has done us massively proud at the Dublin Horse Show this morning placing 4th in a strong class of 19 ponies in the 4 & 5 year old ridden Connemara Class!
Competing in the Dublin Horse Show is always an incredible experience in such a high profile show and to place so highly in such a strong class is an honour. Well done to the winners and all our fellow competitors!
The next outing for Cashelbay Mellow will be at the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society Clifden Pony Show next week before being offered for sale at the Connemara Pony Sales Clifden on Saturday the 19th August
03/07/23
Cashelbay Prionsa Og(Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) flew the flag for us yesterday at the North East Connemara Pony Breeders Show and did us proud winning the Clifden High Performance Qualifier!
Huge thanks and well done to all the North East Connemara Breeders Show for another fabulous show and well done to all our fellow competitors for a great day out!
The countdown to Connemara Pony Breeders' Society Clifden Show is truly on now and we hope to see everyone again soon!
06/0623
The June Bank holiday weekend got off to a spectacular start on Saturday when the Cashelbay Team went to the Irish Pony Society Western Area Fundraising Show in Duffys Equestrian Centre.
Cashelbay Rocket (Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty) has been surprisingly schooling better at home than ever expected since his duties have been changed to stud duties, and with that in mind we decided to bring him out for the day where he exceeded our expectations winning his first ever performance class and placing second in another, proving that stud duties and competing are not mutually exclusive endeavours
Tra Bhain simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Running) also jumped superbly to place 3rd twice in her performance classes!
Not to be outdone, Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) jumped like a star, won his 90cm Working Hunter class, placed 2nd in the 1m working hunter, won the over 16 Connemara working Hunter Class, and went on to win the Working Hunter Championship!
It is a pleasure to see the ponies excelling in their education, and honing their skills for the summer season ahead and enjoying the work they do. Congratulations to all our fellow competitors, and a massive thank you, well done to the IPS Western Area team and Duffy's Equestrian Centre for putting on a great show and as always special thanks to our longstanding sponsors!
It was a pleasure to meet up with everyone again, and hope to catch you all again soon by the ringside
Cashelbay Rocket is now available for live cover and AI.
Semen fresh/chilled, frozen semen available throughout Europe!
Due to high demand, our homebred Cashelbay Rocket will be taking a break away from showing competitively under saddle and will instead spend the season attending to stud duties!
Cashelbay Rocket Cashelbay Cruise(I Love You Melody) x Cashelbay Misty ex Ashfield Bobby Sparrow
2009, gr. 147cm
Class 1
HWSD N/N
Carrier of the B.E.C gene
First foal Sunday,a colt!
Dam Cashelbay Esmeralda sports mare going back to Imp. Sire Cashelbay Prince, a keeper I would say. Happy days
31/03/23
Life at Cashelbay is returning to normal after what was an amazing Connemara Pony Breeders' Society Spring Festival in Clifden last weekend
The Stallion Parade is a great showcase for studs and stallion owners nationwide and is a great opportunity for breeders to view prospective sires in real life.
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday night was an amazing experience and I am truly humbled to receive this award alongside the highly respected Elizabeth Hogkins, and wish to thank Michael Harty, our daughter Helen, and our grandson Liam who were able to join us in celebrating this award, and a heartfelt thanks to everyone who nominated me for such an honour
Connemara ponies, their betterment, and securing their place in the future have always been our core aim at Cashelbay, and we hope to continue with this into the future.
Again, most sincere thanks for this accolade from Myself, Barbara, family, and all at Cashelbay Connemara Pony Stud.
21/03/23
Cashelbay Stud were honoured to be invited to speak in a question and answer session alongside some of the best industry professionals last Sunday at Diamond’s Equine Renvyle as part of their Annual Open Day Event. Events such as these are a great opportunity for owners breeders and industry professionals to meet up and gather useful information for the breeding season.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day there and want to thank all the team for their immense hospitality and wish them all the best for the season ahead!
03/02/23
With the first days of spring upon us the Cashelbay team are gearing up for the year ahead.
This week we took the younger ponies out for their schooling session to The Parks Equestrian in Moycullen to continue their early spring education and re-introduction to work after the winter break. Schooling sessions such as these prove invaluable to both riders and ponies, varying their routine, keeping everyone focused, interested and forward for the season to come.
Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Loch Fada) is enjoying being back in work, loves his jumping and clearly enjoys the variety of the cross country course!
Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow II) is in the early stages of her ridden career, but loves her work, and is learning every day.
Cashelbay Mr Solomons (Seabreeze Mirah x Cashelbay Saphire) ia an Irish Sport Horse gelding by our resident stallion Seabreeze Mirah(Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney) out of our sport horse mare Cashelbay Saphire. He too is in the infancy of his ridden career, but is an absolute gentleman who is eager to please building confidence with every outing.
Tra Bhain Simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Running) continues to jump well around a course of jumps, enjoys her work, and has proved herself invaluable as steady head and schoolmaster, giving confidence to the younger ponies around the course.
We look forward to seeing the progression of these youngsters in the weeks and months to come, and seeing the next generation of Cashelbay Superstars!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Cashelbay Stud would like to thank our family, friends, supporters, well wishers and sponsors for their continued support throughout what was an amazing year, and wish everyone near and far a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Looking forward to catching up with everyone in 2023!
23/8/22
Cashelbay Stud have been blessed throughout the years with our various wins and achievements, yet the results over the past two weeks have fulfilled our lifetime ambitions and then surpassed them!
The Clifden Pony show is known and respected worldwide. Known as the birthplace of the Connemara Pony, it is the pinnacle of the showing season for all things Connemara related. Be it in-hand, ridden classes, working hunter, puissance and more everyone vies for a much coveted prize, cementing their name and a place in the history books.
From early childhood I would see the photos of the various winners and champions of the Clifden Pony Show proudly displayed around Clifden and dearly hoped that someday we might be part of such a display.
And this year it finally happened…
The week could not have played out better, the sun shone better than ever expected, the grounds were immaculate and the ponies were in the form of their lives. Wednesday saw people from near and far reuniting after a long 3 years, and stock previously unseen due to the pandemic graced the hallowed Clifden show ring to compete for their chance to make history.
Our own homebred Cashelbay Kate (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mathilda ex Hazy Dawn) flew the flag once again for the Cashelbay Prince and Jimmy Canavan’s I Love You Melody’s bloodlines by forging on to complete our lifetime ambitions and then some by winning a exceptionally strong 10-15 year old mare with foal at foot class, winning the Broodmare Championship, and then winning the Supreme Championship of Clifden Connemara Pony Show! The congratulatory applause and expression of goodwill I received from the ringside meant the world to me.
Over Awed, overwhelmed and moved to tears we could not expect our week to get any better, and yet it did!
With Cashelbay Rocket (Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty ex Ashfield Bobby Sparrow)having Competed in-hand on Wednesday, in a strong 7 year old and over Stallion Class placing a highly respectable 2nd. Thursday saw Michael Harty and Cashelbay Rocket compete in the Ridden Stallion Class. Against tough competition Cashelbay Rocket rose to the challenge, performed a flawless show and won his class! The winning pair then went on to exceed even our expectations and won the Ridden Championship of the Clifden Show!
The Parade of Champions on Friday evening saw all the winners from throughout the week take part in the parade throughout the town, Michael was aboard Cashelbay Rocket leading the Parade, and myself with Cashelbay Kate took up the rearguard. The evening shone golden in the setting sun and it felt like a dream to be there surrounded by family and friends. A lifetime’s ambitions finally achieved!
To have our names in the books as Clifden Supreme Champions is what we had dreamed of for all those years, but to make history for being the first stud to win both the in-hand and the Ridden Supreme Championships feels nearly unreal. A stud always hopes that they’re making the best decisions over the years, from breeding right through to performance production, and on this occasion these decisions proved correct.
Hot on the heels of such an amazing Clifden, we welcomed the return of The Dublin Horse Show. Steeped in history, tradition and pure class, it is always an honor to enter the show ring there, this honor was only compounded when Michael Harty and Cashelbay Rocket won the ridden stallion class and then went on to claim the Ridden Connemara Championship for the second time in a row!
To compete and win at two internationally acclaimed venues in as many weeks is simply the stuff of dreams, and the Parade of Champions in the main arena is a moment to be cherished forever.
We are blessed to have such amazing ponies and people with us, every one of them playing a part in these phenomenal wins. Our list of thank yous and expression of extreme gratitude is nearly endless, from all who have worked with us to make this happen, Julie who rode for us in Dublin, and who did a great job as always, Caroline and Leon the most amazing grooms one could ask for, working tirelessly at all hours, Pat who took the helm at the farm whilst we were away for the 2 weeks, keeping the place immaculate, close friends and family who assist us when needed and lend a helping hand without complaint, to the Clifden and Dublin Horse Show committees, organizers, judges and stewards who were helpful, cordial and informative, our sponsors who have stood by us, and to all those who have met us and sent messages of congratulation, we want to thank you all deeply from the bottom of our hearts.
And most of all we want to congratulate all our fellow competitors and exhibitors. These are the people who keep the show circuit in Ireland alive without whom none of the shows could survive! A huge well done, it’s been the most enjoyable 2 weeks with you all and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
31/7/22
This August Bank Holiday Monday saw the Cashelbay Team brave the torrential rain at Carraroe Pony Show with Cashelbay Mellow(Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow II) where she placed 2nd in a very strong 3 year old filly class!
Though the weather was bleak, the company was warm and it is heartening to see the dedication of both the organisers and exhibitors who endure against the odds to make sure that show such as these continue.
Terrifically well done to the judges, stewards, Carraroe Show Committee, and fellow exhibitors for a great day out!
A very special thank you to those who helped us out of a difficult situation on the morning, your help will not be forgotten, many thanks again!
Here's hoping that everyone has since dried out, warmed up and recovered, and we look forward to seeing you all at the ringside again soon
31/7/22
It is with heavy heart that we received the news of I Love You Melody's passing away.
We visited I Love You Melody at Fernville stud only 3 weeks ago, where he was in the prime of health and cantering around like a 4 year old
Our own stallion Cashelbay Prince is by I Love You Melody, and was indeed born on The Canavan's farm all those years ago.
A stallion that had profound influence to the Connemara Pony Breed, his loss will be felt across the world. His legacy will no doubt continue in his many progeny into the future. Condolences to Jimmy, the family, all at Fernville stud and to all connections at this time
22/7/22
Last weekend was busy for the Cashelbay team when on Saturday we ventured up to the Annual Granard Agricultural Show where Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince, By I love you Melody x Frederiksminde Mellow II ex Hazy Dawn) did us proud yet again winning a strong 3 year old mixed colt and filly class!
Granard show was as always wonderfully run with strong classes across all sections of horses, ponies and livestock, with something of interest for everyone.
On Sunday I headed west to the beautiful Louisburgh Show where I had been invited to judge the Connemara in-hand and ridden classes alongside Caroline Lydon.
Louisburgh Show is placed in one of Ireland’s most picturesque locations where the ponies are exhibited against a backdrop of the wild Atlantic Ocean. The weather played its part perfectly, the company was convivial and a thoroughly enjoyable day was had all round.
Unfortunately due to our judging commitments we were unable to make Ballyconneely Show which looked to be an absolute cracker this year , but wholeheartedly look forward to attending and supporting it again next year.
Huge thanks to everyone to all at Granard and Louisburgh for their hospitality, to everyone who helped and assisted throughout the weekend and as always special thanks to our sponsors.
Hope to see everyone again soon at the ringside!
11/07/22
Yesterday the Cashelbay Team headed west to Roundstone Show with our homebred 3 year old filly Cashelbay Mellow(Cashelbay Prince by I Love You Melody x Frederiksminde Mellow II ex Hazy Dawn)where she placed 3rd in her 3 year old filly class.
Though we were not the judges’ choice on the day, it was as always a pleasure to attend Roundstone Show. The showgrounds overlook a view that cannot be rivalled either here or abroad, and to see the Connemara Ponies in their native home, against such a backdrop, is truly a beautiful sight.
Huge thanks and well done to the judges, stewards, and show committee for their warm welcome and hard work throughout the day, and of course to the legend “Paddy The Yank” who makes this all possible! And special thanks to all our friends, helpers and sponsors who ensure we can enjoy shows such as this.
09/07/22
The weekend started under glorious blue skies at Ardrahan Show today where Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince By I love you Melody x Frederiksminde Mellow II ex Hazy Dawn) made her debut appearance of 2022, and won her 3 year old filly class! This filly has now won on all 3 of her outings, the last times when she won the Foal Championship in both Claregalway and Maam Cross Shows in 2019! We are very proud of our homebred filly and have great hopes for her in the future!
Huge thanks and well done to the Judges, stewards, and all the Ardrahan Show committee for being so welcoming and for putting on yet another great show, and well done to all the winners and exhibitors on the day!
As always, special thanks to all who helped on the day, and to our longstanding sponsors who help make these results happen!
Balmoral Show 2022 Ridden Connemara Championship
23/5/22
It was truly an honour to start the showing season with the invitation to judge the Connemara section alongside Cathy Snow Coyne at the highly prestigious Balmoral Show . This show is respected internationally and attracts the strongest competitors to its immaculate showgrounds. Ann and Derek Henderson run a brilliant Connemara section each year, Friendly and welcoming they ensure that every aspect of the Connemara section has been seen to with the highest level of professionalism. Cathy Snow was as always a pleasure to judge alongside. Her knowledge and keen eye for Connemara Ponies is second to none, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
It was a pleasure to see the high standard of the exhibitors of all ages showcasing the best of the versatile Connemara Pony as a breed both in-hand and under saddle.
We would like to thank Ann, Derek, and the entire Balmoral Show committee for extending such a warm welcome to us, and look forward to competing in these famous showgrounds again next year!
Robbie
Video by: Rynes Walker Photography
18/05/22
Last weekend Cashelbay Rocket(Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty) and Michael Harty represented Cashelbay Stud in the U.K, where they competed on Saturday in none other than Royal Windsor Horse Show against a large field, placing a very respectable 3rd in the BSPS Mountain & Moorland Ridden class.
Sunday then saw the pair go to the Lancashire Championship Show at Warren Farm Equestrian Centre, and we are delighted to say that they won their hotly contested BSPS Open RIHS Heritage Ridden Class assuring their place in The Royal International Horse Show this coming July! Not content with winning just one class the pair then went on to claim the BSPS RIHS Heritage Open Ridden Championship!
Both shows over the weekend were run to the highest standards, with immaculate showgrounds and welcoming committees who were helpful in every respect and it
We are truly honoured to be competing in locations such as these, let alone getting these results, and want to thank everyone whose hard work, time and effort make these results happen. Special thanks to Sandra Burton who keeps Cashelbay Rocket perfectly fit and looking flawless as ever and without whom none of this would be possible. Huge thanks to everyone who helped throughout the weekend and of course to our longstanding sponsors!
With the summer gaining on us we look forward to many more shows to come and hope to catch up with all our friends at the ringside soon!
12/4/22
Foaling season is in full swing here at Cashelbay Stud! On the 2nd of April we welcomed the arrival of Cashelbay Noah, a charming dun colt foal by our stallion Seabreeze Mirah, out of our maiden mare Ballinderry Polly. On Saturday then we saw the arrival of Cashelbay Kate’s massive colt foal by Aniar Cashel followed quickly on Sunday when Frederiksminde Mellow II foaled a stunning dark dun colt foal by Cashelbay Rocket!
All mares and foals doing well enjoying life and the milder spring weather, more photos coming soon.
Any name suggestions for our two newest arrivals? We would love to hear your ideas!
30/3/22
Last weekend saw the welcome return of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society Spring Weekend where Cashelbay stud had the pleasure of showcasing 2 of our stallions in the stallion parade, Carrowmore Shadow(Silver Shadow x Tulira Neelia) and our newest acquisition to the stud, Park Ronan(Callowfeenish Mairtin x Park Wilhelimina ex Loobeen Larry)
Park Ronan retains the old breeding so sought after, and so rarely seen these days. By the infamous Callowfeenish Mairtin who has bred so many influential ponies, and out of a Loobeen Larry Mare, Park Ronan is the perfect choice for anyone wishing to breed true to type Connemaras, or wishing to introduce old bloodlines into a herd.
His progeny are excelling in both competition and in the sales ring, with most recently, Kinamara Kinnity Star making €12,000 in the Clifden Sales ring in October 2021, and Parky Boy, making €11,200 in the Clifden Sales ring December 2021
Available through A.I only, and whilst he is a carrier, but not affected by HWSD, he is suitable for N/N mares only to ensure responsible breeding practice.
Carrowmore Shadow, a son of the famous Silver Shadow and out of the outstanding mare Tulira Neelia is an ideal choice for Cashelbay/traditional bred mares. This stallion is really true to type with great conformation, exceptional bone with short cannon, good knees, and a great temperament.
His offspring to date have both the good looks and the desirable temperament that is so desired of the Connemara Pony as a breed, and look set to go far in the future.
For those looking to breed true to type competition ponies, this young stallion’s bloodlines can do nothing but enhance any bloodline.
This was a debut outing for both of our stallions, and we could not have wanted for a better day out! The stallions behaved themselves impeccably taking well to the hustle and bustle of the day like pros, and the weather made everything all the more enjoyable. Weekends such as these are an invaluable asset to the to the breeding of the Connemara Pony, with the launch of the annual publication An Capaillin, informative lectures, workshops and of course the stallion parade showcasing some of the best bred Connemara stallions in the world.
Huge thanks and well done to the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society and all involved for putting on another great weekend, aside from the ponies, it was a pleasure to meet up with everyone again after such a long time. Also, as always special thanks to our sponsors and all who helped us on the day.
23/3/22
Last weekend the Cashelbay Team secured their tickets to the Northern Ireland Festival at the qualifiers in Ower Equestrian Centre with Tra Ban Simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Running) jumping a spectacular clear round to win her 143cm Working Hunter Class. Seabreeze Mirah(Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney) jumped a great clear round to win the M&M Working Hunter class with Cashelbay Prionsa Og(Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) placing third in the same class securing their tickets also.
Huge thanks and well done to Ower Equestrian Centre for holding the qualifiers, a great day out was had! Also huge thanks to Caroline Boyd for grooming for us, Rynes for our photos and to all who helped us on the day! And, as always special thanks to our longstanding sponsors who support us every inch of the way!
We are delighted with how these young ponies are progressing in their work, they clearly enjoy it and are learning more and more with every outing. Shows such as The Northern Ireland Festival haven’t been seen in the last couple of years and it is indeed a pleasure to see life returning to normal.
Hope to see you all again soon at the ringside!
14/3/22
The Cashelbay team recently ventured north With Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) Seabreeze Mirah (Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney) and Tra Ban Simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Runnings) for the Silver Native Challenge in Ardnacashel Equestrian Centre.
Seabreeze Mirah and Tra Ban Simiuil were outstanding on the day. Seabreeze Mirah won his Connemara Working Hunter class, And Tra Bhain Simiuil jumped brilliantly and showed great maturity beyond her years winning her M&M Working Hunter class.
While Cashelbay Prionsa Og was not the judges choice on the day, he jumped some superb clear rounds, kept a level head, and behaved immaculately.
Shows such as these in Ardnacashel are invaluable as they help the ponies to learn, mature and prepare the summer showing campaign ahead, and after such a long two years we are very grateful for them!
Huge thanks and well done to all the Ardnacashel team and volunteers on the day for putting on a great show as always. Also huge thanks to all who helped us on the day, and to all our long standing sponsors who help make all of this possible!
Looking forward to catching up with everyone again soon at the ringside!
Cashelbay stud has the pleasure of introducing Cashelbay Miss Moneypenny, the first foal of 2022!
Born on the 5th February, Cashelbay Miss Moneypenny is by our own resident stallion Carrowmore Shadow (Silver Shadow x Tulira Neelia ex Tulira Robuck) out of Golden Plover ( Burning Daylight x Ocean Bealtine ex Grange Merlin Surf) and with looks and breeding such as this we have no doubt that this filly foal should go on to be an absolute superstar!
The foaling season is the first sure sign that spring is on its way (despite what the weather may be doing) and we look forward to welcoming all our new arrivals over the coming months!
Cashelbay Stud feel truly honoured to have been chosen to feature in the FEI sponsored television series Ride!
When the producer Katie Macey contacted us last autumn we were surprised and thrilled to have been chosen to feature in such a production, Katie was an absolute dream to work with, always the true professional and one of the most genuinely kind people you would ever wish to meet. The days of the shoot were brilliant, the weather was perfect and taking Katie and the ponies out to Tawin island and swimming them are memories that will last a lifetime. The link below shows the final feature and we managed to get some behind the scenes photos of the shoot in progress for posterity.
Huge thanks to all who helped make this possible, Katie Macey and all the team at Ride, the FEI, everyone at Cashelbay, and all those who have helped and supported us over the years. To be chosen to showcase not only our own homebred ponies but the Connemara pony as a breed alongside some of the best equine breeders and producers in the world is truly an honour.
A massive thanks to Horse Sport Ireland for airing the video and all who have shared it!
2022 got off to a flying start last weekend for the Cashelbay Team at Killossery Lodge with Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) winning one of his working hunter classes and placing 2nd in the other. Seabreeze Mirah ( Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney)jumped well throughout and won his ridden Connemara class, and our young mare, Tra Ban Simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Runnings) on her first time out, jumped and behaved amazingly well with only one pole down in her working hunter class.
It’s great to get back into the swing of things after our Christmas break, and are looking forward to the year to come. Well done to all the Killossery Lodge team for a brilliantly run show, and huge thanks to team Cashelbay for everything on the day.
As usual, huge thanks to all who helped us on the day and to our longstanding sponsors! Hope to see you all again soon!
The Year In Review.
As 2021 draws to a close we get the chance to sit down, relax and look back at all the positive things that happened throughout the year here at Cashelbay Stud.
Though there were no major events in Ireland throughout the year due to restrictions, there is always plenty to keep a stud farm busy. Valentine’s day saw the first foal of the year arrive, a cracking colt foal, Cashelbay Valentine ( Cappa Cassanova x Cashelbay Esmeralda ex Nazar), who is sure to steal many hearts as he grows up! A cold and blustery March brought indoor foaling with both Frederiksminde Mellow II (Hazy Dawn x Frederiksminde Mellow) and Cashelbay Kate (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mathilda) foaling indoors under the watchful eye of the foaling cameras. This was Cashelbay Kate’s (by our own stallion Carrowmore shadow) first foal but she handled it all like a pro and no intervention was necessary. Luckily the weather soon warmed up and there was no finer sight to see than two mares and foals (by Bunowen Paddy and Carrowmore Shadow) stretching their legs in the warm spring sun.
The covering season proved busy again this year and it is a pleasure to see a lot of happy clients come back year after year with their mares. Even without any shows on, covering season is always a busy time of year and we were delighted with the demand for our stallions.
The summer months yielded a few shows, with the first show of the year in Ardnacashel, where Cashelbay Prionsa Óg(Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) did us proud and won his performance class and went on to claim the Working Hunter Championship. Seabreeze Mirah(Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney) also won his 90cm performance class. Both ponies took part in the novice ridden Connemara class with Prionsa Óg getting 3rd and Seabreeze Mirah placing 5th. Only the week after that, the Cashelbay team headed off to the Mullingar Showing Show where Seabreeze Mirah did us proud by winning his Working Hunter Class, and Cashelbay Prionsa Og placed second and highest placed 4 year old, in his Working Hunter class. Nugentstown Horse & Country Fair later in the summer saw Cashelbay Prionsa Og placing 3rd against horses in a large working hunter class and then placing 2nd in his working hunter class against ponies. Seabreeze Mirah jumped fantastically placing 2nd in the Connemara working hunter class and went on to claim the Working Hunter Pony Championship.
As the summer changed into autumn we prepared for and attended the rescheduled Balmoral Show with Cashelbay Kate with her filly foal Cashelbay Ally, and Tra bhain Simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Running). Cashelbay Kate took it all in her stride and placed third against a large class of some of the best mares in the country with her foal Cashelbay Ally getting best foal. After this, our 4 year old mare Tra Bhain Simiuil went on to represent us well in a large ridden class placing 6th overall. Balmoral is one of the best shows in the country, and it was as always a pleasure to attend!
Cashelbay Rocket(Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty) has remained outstanding in his consistency this year: winning Supreme Ridden Champion in Aintree National Show, Winning M&M Championship in NCPS Staffordshire, (Qualifying for HOYS), Winning M&M Championship Bolesworth International Horse Show, (Qualifying For The BSPS LeMieux Mountain and Moorland Finals), Competing in the RIHS, Winning the In-Hand Stallion class and claiming Reserve In-Hand Champion at the NPS Summer Championships 2021, and the UK National Championships where they won: In-Hand Connemara class going In-Hand Champion, The Ridden Connemara Class, and the M&M Supreme Ridden Championship, Leigh & District Overall Supreme Ridden Champion, Competing at HOYS, and receiving Best of Breed at the London International Horse Show. Winning these titles throughout the year has made us so proud of our homebred stallion!
When not away showing, the year was always kept busy, foaling the later mares, schooling youngsters, prepping for inspections and sales. The Clifden Pony Sales in October was a great success, yielding good prices and it was a pleasure to meet up with everyone again.
And now, enormous thanks to everyone who, without whom none of this would have been possible:
Sandra Burton, Emily Burton and the team who not only look after Cashelbay Rocket’s livery while he resides the UK, but continue his training regime, including work on the water treadmill and schooling to make sure he is at his best for every upcoming show, and turning him out to perfection on the day.
Michael Harty, our rider/producer/manager, as an integral part of the team, we recognised his potential when he started with us back in 2009, and since then we have watched him rise through the ranks to become a highly respected rider and producer throughout the showing circuits, with a work ethic, honesty and integrity that makes us proud to have him represent Cashelbay Stud.
Julie Donaghy Simpson, lending a much needed helping hand, and stepping in to ride for us in at least 3 championships throughout the year.
Rynes, who works behind the scenes with our photography, graphics/advertising/website, making sure that our paperwork and documents are correct, and occasionally locating our jackets, ties and boots.
Caroline and Leon, who have helped groom for us throughout the various shows, we know it is not an easy task at the best of times!
All the show societies, the work that goes into organising a show is no small feat. Congratulations and well done!
Also, special thanks to all our sponsors and those who help to promote not just Cashelbay stud, but the Connemara pony as a breed, with such combined support the future of the Connemara pony gets brighter every year.
We wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy new year, and look forward to seeing you all at the ringside again soon!
Cashelbay Rocket (Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty ex Ashfield Bobby Sparrow) and Michael Harty taking Best of Breed (for the second time running) and placing 6th overall in the Le Mieux Mountain and Moorland Championship finals at the The London International Horse Show was an amazing start to the week and to the Christmas season!
To compete alongside some of the best ponies in the world of the Mountain and Moorland breeds and to place so highly is an honour in its own right, but to be named the Best of Breed for the second time in a row is an honour that we can scarcely believe.
Throughout a year of such uncertainty Cashelbay Rocket has remained outstanding in his consistency: Winning M&M Championship, NCPS Staffordshire, (Qualifying for HOYS), Winning M&M Championship Bolesworth International Horse Show, (Qualifying For The BSPS LeMieux Mountain and Moorland Finals), Winning the In-Hand Stallion class and claiming Reserve In-Hand Champion at the NPS Summer Championships 2021, and the UK_National Championships where they won: In-Hand Connemara class going In-Hand Champion, The Ridden Connemara Class, and the M&M Supreme Ridden Championship amongst others during the year.
To have a pony that can achieve such heights is beyond our dreams but to have also bred him, his dam, and his sire completes a set that we could never have imagined all those years ago during the early days of Cashelbay Stud.
Breeders and producers put so much time and effort into their ponies, from careful breeding to choosing the best training regime/discipline, to finding the best venues to exhibit them. The standard gets higher every year with the Connemara Pony’s influence being felt across the globe in a number of disciplines, and results such as Best of Breed at the London International Show are not easily won. Congratulations to the winners and all our fellow competitors we look forward to seeing you all again in 2022! A special thanks to all at the London International team for putting on another outstanding show, the level of hospitality and professionalism was of the highest standard as always, and we look forward to the opportunity to show there again.
We are immensely lucky with all who are part of the Cashelbay Stud team and support team; Sandra Burton and Emily Burton and their team deserve special thanks as it is with them that Cashelbay Rocket resides while in the UK. The level of care and expertise they provide is second to none, always willing to provide a helping hand and ensuring that he is turned out to perfection. Michael Harty, who works tirelessly throughout the year, thinks nothing of jetting back and forth to the UK to compete in all the major arenas, then returning to the slightly less glamourous job of feeding, rugging, and schooling the youngsters. Also, special thanks to all our sponsors and those who help to promote not just Cashelbay stud, but the Connemara pony as a breed, with such combined support the future of the Connemara pony gets brighter every year.
It was great to spend the long bank holiday weekend at the Clifden Pony Sales where everyone was in great form and happy to be back dealing with our beloved Connemara ponies after what was such a difficult 2 years for everyone. There was a great atmosphere all around and to top it all off we were pleased with the price we got for our ponies and know that they have gone to 5 star homes.
The sales were exceptionally well run and we must commend all of the team at Connemara Pony Sales Clifden for their hard work over the 4 days. To deal with the large volume of ponies and people over the course of the weekend is no mean feat, yet they always managed to have the time to exchange a few pleasant words and direct us where the need be, and we look forward to dealing with them again in the future.
Pony sales are so much more than a utility to buy and sell livestock, they are as much a social event where people can meet up, hear the latest news and make arrangements for the future, and without them a huge portion of our society would be lost. It was great catching up with old friends and making new ones, hopefully the coming year will provide even more opportunity for everyone to meet and catch up!
Cashelbay Adonis (Frederiksminde Mellow x Bunowen Paddy)
Cashelbay Adonis about to go to his new home
Cashelbay Lady Esmeralda (Cashelbay Prince x Cashelbay Esmeralda I.S.H) about to go through the ring at the Clifden Sales
Cashelbay Tonto who went through the ring on Saturday morning
HOYS 2021
10/10/21
What an absolutely outstanding week it has been! Cashelbay Rocket and Michael Harty qualified for and competed in this year's Ridden Connemara Class in HOYS. Although we were not the judges' choice on this occasion, we can honestly say that this pair always makes us proud, and to compete at this level is truly an honour!
For us the most inspiring thing about HOYS this year was how the Connemara Pony, their owners, breeders, producers and riders were represented on such a scale. Not only were Connemara's represented in their own breed classes, but they forged ahead winning across the board in mixed breed classes, in various disciplines. From ridden classes, to in-hand, working hunter, to showjumping there hardly seemed a discipline not mastered by the ever versatile Connemara.
The Irish representation was also strong this year with keenly interested owners, breeders and producers watching their current stock or graduates go around the arenas. To breed a pony that goes ahead to compete in HOYS is a special moment in all of our lives, and the camaraderie that was felt at the ringside will never be forgotten.
As we near the centenary of the foundation of the CPBS, we see the results of generations of dedicated breeders, those who always believed, but perhaps never got the opportunity to see the Connemara Pony scale such heights. This is not the result of one generation but many who believed it could be done, and the future of the Connemara Pony surely seems bright!
We wish to congratulate all who participated in this year's HOYS, we cannot even begin to name them all for fear of missing someone! A massive achievement for all Connemara connections globally!
Special thanks to: everyone at HOYS, their hospitality as always was superb, To Sandra Burton and her team for taking such great care of Cashelbay Rocket when he is in the U.K., to all helpers well wishers and friends that we met during the week, and of course to our long standing sponsors!
Life is now slowly getting back to normal, but it is most definitely a week that will not be forgotten!
The week got off to a strong start on Monday with our 4 fillies Cashelbay Jenny (Ice And Fire D'Albran x Cashelbay Lady Sue), Cashelbay Lauren (Classiebawn Hugh's Promise x Cashelbay Brook), Ballylickey Cashel Bay (Cashelbay Prince x Rickamore Ballylickey Princess), and Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow 2nd) all gaining their Class 1 status in Creagh Equestrian Centre
The day was made all the more pleasant by the fact that the inspections were run most professionally in accordance with all restrictons, with the equestrian centre and inspection committee friendly, helpful and informative had we any questions. Huge thank you and well done to all involved!
These mares are N/N for HWSD and have no doubt a bright future ahead in the showring and beyond!
Cashelbay Jenny (Ice And Fire D'Albran x Cashelbay Lady Sue ex Cashelbay Rocket) is in foal to Cashelbay's Seabreeze Mirah, is due to foal the first week of May 2022 and is currently entered for the October Connemara Pony Sales Clifden 2021 (Not to be sold ahead of the Clifden Sales)
2018 gr Class 1 Mare
HWSD N/N
with Dexter Leam Pondi, Cashelbay Rocket, and Ashfield Bobby Sparrow all in the back pedigree, well handled and with an excellent temperment we are sure she will find a top class home to reflect her breeding, conformation and status!
Cashelbay Jenny (Ice And Fire D’Albran x Cashelbay Lady Sue ex Cashelbay Rocket)
2018 gr M
HWSD N/N
In Foal to Cashelbay’s Seabreeze Mirah, due first week of May 2022
Cashelbay Lauren (Classiebawn Hugh’s Promise x Cashelbay Brook ex Cashelbay Prince)
Ballylickey Cashel Bay (Cashelbay Prince x Rickamore Ballylickey Princess ex Monaghanstown Boy)
HWSD N/N
Cashelbay Mellow (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mellow 2nd ex Hazy Dawn)
HWSD: N/N
Our annual trip to Balmoral Show is surely a sign that life is getting back to normal, and this year as ever it did not disappoint!
Thursday morning saw Cashelbay Kate's (Cashelbay Prince x Frederiksminde Mathilda) debut in hand appearance as a broodmare with her foal Cashlebay Ally (Carrowmore Shadow x Cashelbay Kate) at foot. Cashelbay Kate took it all in her stride and placed third against a large class of some of the best mares in the country with her foal Cashelbay Ally getting best foal. After this, our 4 year old mare Tra Bhain Simiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Running) went on to represent us well in a large ridden class placing 6th overall. This has been her biggest outing to date and we just know that this young mare will excel in the future!
This show is always outstanding in it's quality, and while being run in september this year due to restrictions, usually runs in May heralding the beginning of our show season to come. Like on many a May morning before, it was an absolute pleasure to meet up with old friends, making new friends, catching up, and seeing all the stock being exhibited.
We would like to thank all the Balmoral Show team for all their hard work, especially Ann and Derek Henderson and their team for their dedication to the Connemara section, and to congratulate them on putting on yet another beatifully run show. Huge thanks as always to our sponsors, helpers, friends and well wishers, and hope to see you all again in the near future!
Leigh & District Champions!
14/9/21
Cashelbay Rocket and Michael Harty did us proud again over the weekend at the Leigh & District Horse and Pony Club Show in the U.K winning their M&M Large Breed Ridden Class, the M&M Ridden Championship and went on to win the Overall Supreme Ridden Championship!
To compete and win against not only Connemaras, but all other breeds is an accomplishment that we are immensely proud of!
Special thanks to Sandra Burton and her team who look after Cashelbay Rocket whilst in the U.K, the care they give him is second to none and always ensure that heis turned out to perfection.
Also, Huge thanks and well done to all at the Leigh & District Horse and Pony Club for their hospitality and for putting on a thoroughly enjoyable show!
With the summer having flown past, we now look forward to HOYS next month and hope to see you all there!
More Cashelbay Progeny For HOYS!
31/8/21
Massive congratulations to Jane, Marjorie, Mark and all the team on gaining their ticket to Hoys with their smashing son of Cashelbay Prince, Creganna Dandini!
We are so proud to have Cashelbay Prince progeny flying the flag for Irish breeders/producers alongside all the other outstanding Irish representatives, including our own homebred Cashelbay Rocket who qualified for Hoys earlier in the summer.
Link to article on Facebook below
Outstanding Week in The U.K!
We are just about getting back to real life now after what can only be described as an oustanding week in the U.K for the Cashelbay Team!
Last Wednesday Cashelbay Rocket(Cashelbay Crusie x Cashelbay Misty ex Ashfield Bobby Sparrow) proved that he is as successful in-hand as he is under saddle by winning the In-Hand Stallion class and claiming Reserve In-Hand Champion in a hotly contested championship at the NPS Summer Championships.
From there the weekend only got better, when the team competed at the UK_National Championships where they won: In-Hand Connemara class going In-Hand Champion, The Ridden Connemara Class, The M&M Supreme Ridden Championship (against all M&M breeds!) also jumping clear and placing 3rd in M&M working Hunter over 143cm!
Results such as these are scarcely dreamt about, let alone expected and we are absolutely over the moon. The standard of competition and level of professionalism at shows of this calibre is staggering, and is truly a testament to all the hard work put in by the competitors and the Show's teams, who were welcoming, informative and most helpful whenever needed.
Whilst at the U.K National Championships we got the opportunity to present the trophy to the M&M Working Hunter Champion, to make new friends, meet old friends, and take in some of the history of the area.
Immense thanks and gratitude to all who helped us achieve these results, Sandra Burton and her team who have, as always, have done an outstanding job of minding Cashelbay Rocket for us in the U.K, and having him turned out to perfection, to all our helpers, supporters and our long standing sponsors, again, huge thanks.
We cannot reccomend these shows highly enough, and look forward to competing in them again in the future!
Royal International Horse Show
25/7/21
During the week the team then made their way to The Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead in the U.K, to compete in the ridden M&M Class, which Michael and Cashelbay Rocket (Cashelbay Cruise x Cashelbay Misty ex Ashfield Bobby Sparrow) had qualified for back in 2019. On Thursday morning Michael and Cashelbay Rocket took to the ring in sweltering temperatures to compete against a large field of some of the best Connemara Ponies in the U.K and Ireland. Though we were not the judge's choice on this occasion, it was as always an honour to represent not only the Connemara Pony as a breed, but to be a representative for Irish breeders and producers on an international stage. Congratulations to all the winners and fellow competitors for the performances.
Special thanks to all at a beautifully run The Royal International Horse Show for their hospitality and assistance, and to Sandra Burton and her team who take such good care of Cashelbay Rocket for us whilst in the U.K, and had him turned out to perfection
Performance Filly Assessments
24/7/21
We have been all go at Cashelbay Stud! Last Sunday Tra Bhain Suimiuil (Shadows Dun x Cool Running ex Rynn Richard) took part in the innaugural Connemara Pony Breeders' Society Performance Fillies Assessment in Creagh Equestrian Centre gaining her bronze merit in the process! This is a great opportunity for owners and breeders to showcase the talents of performance mares and we look forward to seeing it's development in the future.
Working Hunter Champion!
19/7/21
This weekend the Cashelbay team headed off to Nugentstown Horse & Country Fair with our younger stallions Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) and Seabreeze Mirah (Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney).
Cashelbay Prionsa Og jumped most competantly placing 3rd against horses in a large working hunter class and then placed 2nd in his working hunter class against ponies.
Seabreeze Mirah jumped fantastically placing 2nd in the Connemara working hunter class and went on to claim the Working Hunter Pony Championship!
These young stallions are really getting into their stride, enjoying their work and shining as bright as the sun this weekend!
Huge thanks and well done to all at the Nugentstown Horse and Country Fair for putting on such a brilliant show in such trying temperatures.
As always, thanks to all our sponsors, helpers and supporters, hope to see you all again soon!
BSPS LeMieux M&M Finalists!
7/7/21
Cashelbay Rocket and Michael Harty are really shooting for the stars this week! Today, the duo took to the ring, won their class, and won the Ridden Championship against all Mountain and Moorland breeds at the Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show securing their ticket to the BSPS Le Mieux Mountain and Moorland Finals in Liverpool! This result follows close on the heels of a victorious weekend where they triumphed at the NCPS Staffordshire Show gaining their ticket to HOYS 2021!
Shows of these standards do not give championships lightly and we are absolutely overjoyed with the results!
Congratulations to all fellow competitors, and a huge thanks to all at the Bolesworth International Horse Show for having such an outstanding Show. As always, special thanks to Sandra Burton for taking care of Rocket for us in the U.K, our sponsors, our friends and our supporters it means so much to us!
HOYS Ticket Secured!
This weekend Cashelbay Rocket and Michael Harty secured their HOYS 2021 ticket at the NCPS Staffordshire Show having won the Ridden Connemara HOYS Qualifier! Not only did this pair win the HOYS Qualifier against some of the best ponies in the U.K and Ireland, they then went on to win the M&M Championship!
Results such as these are testiment to the long hours of work and preparation put in by Michael and all the team at Cashelbay over the years.
A special thanks to Sandra Burton, Emily Burton and the team who have taken care of Cashelbay Rocket so well for us in the U.K, to all of our sponsors for their continued support, and to all of our friends near and far!
It has been a glorious weekend with pefect weather, great results, and the most cordial company. Thanks and well done to all the NCPS Staffordshire Show team for an outstanding Show!
Champion at Aintree!
24/6/21
Cashelbay Rocket made his debut appearance of 2021 at Aintree National Show last weekend with Sandra Burton, won his mixed open M&M class and then went on to claim Supreme Champion!
We are so thrilled with his first result of the year and hope that there are many more to follow!
Huge thanks to Sandra Burton, for riding him so well, and to Sandra and all her team for taking such good care of him for us in the U.K
Special thanks to all at Aintree National Show for all their hard work and for such a well run show!
With the summer flying by already, we hope to meet up with everyone soon either in the showring or by the ringside with a cup of tea!
Mullingar Success
13/6/21
his weekend the Cashelbay Team were delighted to head to the Mullingar Showing Show 2021 where Seabreeze Mirah did us proud by winning his Working Hunter Class, and Cashelbay Prionsa Og placed second and highest placed 4 year old in his Working Hunter class jumping spectacularly. Both of these ponies were competing against very large class sizes of mixed horses and ponies and we couldn't be happier with their performance!
A huge thanks to Julie Donaghy Simpson for riding Cashelbay Prionsa Og for us in the Championship and to Caroline and Leon Boyd for their help and grooming for us throughout the day.
Special thanks to all the Mullingar Showing Show team for putting on such a well run show. It was great meeting up with old friends and making new ones. Shows such as these have been greatly missed over the last year and we keenly anticipate more in the future!
As always huge thanks to all our sponsors for their continued support!
Ardnacashel Champions!
8/6/21
It was a pleasure to be back in action again after such a long time at the Ardnachashel show last weekend. Cashelbay Prionsa Óg did us proud and won his performance class and went on to claim the Working Hunter Championship. Seabreeze Mirah also won his 90cm performance class.
Both ponies took part in the novice ridden Connemara class with Prionsa Óg getting 3rd Seabreeze Mirah placing 5th.
These two young stallions continue to excel in their disciplines and never disappoint us!
Michael also went on to ride He's The Lad, placing 2nd in the 110cm and 3rd in the 1 metre Working Hunter classes.
Special thanks to Julie Donaghy Simpson for riding Seabreeze Mirah so well, not only in the novice ridden class but in the championship as well!
Huge thanks and well done to all the Ardnacashel team for putting on another beautifully run show, everything was immaculate and the hospitality shown to us was second to none! We really look forward to competing here again.
28/4/21
Congratulations to Alaoise Halpin Coen and all the team on the arrival of Rosedale Harry born on the 22/4/21, a cracking colt foal by Cashelbay Prince, out of Queen Of The West. We look forward to seeing his progression as he grows, and wish you all the best of luck with him!
(Photo courtesy of Alaoise Halpin Coen
5/4/21
First Date Of The Year!
It’s Cashelbay Prince's first time out since last November, he will be running with his mares from now on like the last 2 years. We have been taking semen from him over the last couple of months, had his fertility checked and it’s a 100%. Cashelbay Prince had a busy covering season last year and we are planning on keeping the number of mares smaller this year as Cashelbay Prince is celebrating his 20th birthday in May.
His versatility in competition over the years, from in hand showing, showing under saddle, dressage, and eventing to showjumping and working hunter champion, (Clifden, NIF and many more)always fills us with pride, he then went on to prove his worth as a champion stallion, siring class 1 stallions, including our own homebred stallion Cashelbay Prionsa Og, grade A showjumpers including members of the gold winning Irish team, in- hand champions and many more!
This stallion has never disappointed us, and his progeny continue to excel year on year!
30/4/21
Latest Arrival To Cashelbay Stud!
In the early hours of Saturday morning we welcomed our latest arrival to Cashelbay Stud!
A cracking filly foal by our resident stallion Carrowmore Shadow (Silver Shadow x Tulira Neelia ex Tulira Robuck) out of our homebred mare Cashelbay Kate ( Cashelbay Prince x Frederksminde Mathilda ex Hazy Dawn) is sure to be a superstar.
This foal is a new milestone for Cashelbay Kate as she transitions life from being a competition pony to being a broodmare, and in typical fashion she has taken it all in her stride and is an outstanding mother!
23/3/21
Though spring is finally here, we still get some rough weather that necessitates indoor foaling for some of our mares, and nothing is nicer than being able to see our foals being born in real time from a distance with our foaling cam!
Our latest colt foal by Bunowen Paddy, out of Frederiksminde Mellow II (Hazy Dawn x Frederiksminde Mellow) was born during our recent spate of bad weather. While we were able to observe in case of any difficulties, Feederiksminde Mellow II handled the job like a pro and didn't require our assistance. It always gives us great joy to see new life brought into the world!
More photos/videos of our latest arrival coming soon!
Botanica International Ltd. Sponsorship
“Botanica International are an Irish company; leading the way in skincare and maintenance for animals and humans. I am super proud to announce that I am now a sponsored rider; it’s great to be representing a brand that I use and believe in and be lucky enough to now find myself on the list of riders supported by Botanica. I have used Botanica products for years and not only to achieve the show ring shine that my horses and ponies have but also to heal many skin conditions and cuts, etc that come with horses and ponies.”
“I cannot recommend these products highly enough. The wash gives a fantastic shine to the coat; that show ring finish is so important” - Michael Harty, Manager
Breeder’s 10: Robbie Fallon
2/1/21
It was a pleasure to chat to Susan Finnerty from The Irish Field about our breeding of Connemara Ponies, our proudest moments and our hopes for the future.
Huge thanks to Susan Finnerty and all the team at the Irish Field for taking the time to chat to us and for giving us such great coverage as they have over the years!
Definitely a bright start to 2021!
Link to article in The Irish Field: https://www.theirishfield.ie/breeders-10-robbie-fallon-pri…/
Jumping With Joy!
11/12/20
During the latest lockdown we have had plenty of time to school our younger competition ponies, and it was brilliant to go to Duffys Equestrian Centre last week for training with Mark Duffy for the first time since lockdown. Having his advice and feedback is great and we can see how far the ponies have progressed in their schooling over the year.
Seabreeze Mirah (Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney) and Cashelbay Annabel (Cashelbay Rocket x Ginger Meg) now both 5 year olds, have really warmed to their work and confidently jumped 120cm with a 130cm spread (Seabreeze Mirah), and 110cm with 120cm spread (Cashelbay Annabel) respectively.
These ponies thoroughly enjoy their jumping and we can't wait to see what they can achieve in 2021!
For link to full post with more images be sure to click onto our Facebook Page below
Sponsored Rider for Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre
15/11/20
"This weekend I made the trip up north to the Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness centre. I am delighted at being selected as one of the team’s sponsored riders. The IERFC is a highly professional operation and we at Cashelbay Stud are very excited to now be working alongside Michelle and her team. I cannot recommend these top class facilities highly enough. Well worth the journey. The IERFC is the perfect place for fitness, rehabilitation and general maintenance of our animals. We feel very lucky to have this innovative facility in Ireland and are privileged to be supported in this way.” Michael Harty
For link to the original Facebook post: https://fb.watch/2oQKVBva1q/
For more info and a link to The Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre, click below:
3 More Class 1 Fillies for Cashelbay!
Cashelbay Stud are delighted to announce our three fillies, Craigmancie Scarlet Pimpernel(Western Armada x Lockinge Forget-Me-Not), Ballinderry Polly(Illaunurra Lad x Beech Honey) and Tra Bhain Suimiuil(Shadows Dun x Cool Running) gained their Class 1 status at the inspections in Creagh Equestrian Centre this week. We are really looking forward to the future with these smashing fillies!
Cashelbay Prince Og, Class 1 Stallion!
Cashelbay Stud are proud to announce that Cashelbay Prince Og(Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Locha Fada) has passed his inspections today at Creagh Equestrian Centre and gained Class 1 stallion status getting top marks across the boards! To say we are delighted would be an understatement, and massively proud to see that the Cashelbay Prince bloodlines excelling yet again!
Cashelbay Clancy Does It Again!
7/9/20
Huge Congratulations to Cinzia and Fabrizio Mattio, Emanuale Giordanetti and all the Cashelbay Clancy Team this weekend on their spectacular win in Arezzo Equestrian Centre getting 1st place two days in a row jumping 120cm!
Cashelbay Clancy (Cashelbay Prince x Grey Molly) is such an excellent ambassador for not only Cashelbay breeding but for performance Connemara Ponies on an international level!
Outstanding Jumping!
Last weekend saw Seabreeze Mirah(Westside Mirah x Cashelbay Courtney) and Cashelbay Annabel(Cashelbay Rocket x Ginger Meg) jump amazingly in the Connemara Working Hunter, and Novice Working Hunter classes in Gransha Equestrian Centre. Though unfortunately we were not the judges’ choice on the day, we are very proud with how our ponies jumped and with how they progress and learn with every outing.
As usual, huge thanks to the Gransha Team and volunteers for putting on a very safe and well run competition, and we very much look forward to competing there again in the future!