Connemara ponies strut their stuff
They will join hundreds of Irish competitors, exhibitors and pony enthusiasts for the showing and performance of this unique breed.
According to Connemara Pony Breeders Society president Dermot Power, the upcoming show sees one of the highest number of entries on record.
“Over 500 registered entries to date demonstrate the huge interest in and recognition of the Connemara Pony. It is most gratifying for the society and is an acknowledgement of the work undertaken towards the awareness, preservation and improvement of the breed,” he said. New classes incorporated into this year’s line-up include progeny walk-trot classes and the splitting of the young riders class into 16-18 year and 19 year plus age groups.
The most spectacular event is the progeny class with over 75 top quality ponies, including mares, showing in the same ring at the same time. Loose jumping, where ponies jump fences without a rider, will also feature as a new event.
The pony show is central to a week-long programme of events. A special seminar on the heritage of the Connemara Pony is planned for next Tuesday in co-operation with Galway County Council. A visit to the society’s herd in Connemara National Park is also scheduled.
This year the pony show has attracted a major sponsor.
Galway Irish Crystal has commissioned 16 specially designed hand-crafted trophies for the different classes.
