Our History
The Foundations of Cashelbay Stud
Pictured: Joe Fallon (Father of Robbie), with Daniel Fallon, Robbie’s son, on Spencer’s Dream, Ballybawn Cashel in background.
From Humble Beginnings…
We have been immensely lucky over the years, both with ponies that were home bred, and with ponies purchased. We have had the opportunity to compete on an international level, and are massively thankful for that opportunity. But none of this may ever have come to pass had it not been for one very special pony, Spencer's Dream.
Spencer's dream was purchased in 1968 for a costly sum of 80 Pounds with the help of my father and money I had earned from odd jobs here and there. It was always an ambition of mine to own my own Connemara Pony and I revelled in the stories of Carna Bobby, Bridge Boys and all the celebrity ponies of the time. She was a bay mare, 13.3hh possessing all the qualities required of her, hardworking, intelligent and mannerly and she passed the inspections that year much to my delight.
When I emigrated to the U.S.A in 1971 Spencer's Dream remained in Ireland with my uncle on the farm in Athenry. There she worked the land diligently and had several foals over the years. My uncle often commented on her work ethic and said her temperament was by far the best of any horse he had come across.
In 1992 when we returned from the U.S.A, Spencer's Dream was still in Athenry. We attempted to get her into foal one last time to continue the line, but unfortunately it was to no avail.
My desire to continue breeding and producing Connemara Ponies only increased from that point on, and as they say, the rest is history!
Many ponies have come and gone over the years since then, but Spencer's Dream will always have a special place in our hearts as the very first pony of Cashelbay.