Castle Urchin supreme wins triple awards at Connemara Pony Show

THE supreme champion at the Connemara Pony Show was bred and owned by a local man, Henry O’Toole, Faulkeeragh, Clifden. Castle Urchin is by Abbeyleix Owen out of Castle Dame, and was also chosen as the confined champion of the show and the best mare aged eight to nine years.

The reserve supreme champion, and best six to seven years old mare, was Kingstown Dana, by Monaghanstown Fionn out of Kingstown Silver, bred by Joe Gorham, Glenbrickeen Farm, Clifden, and owned by Malachy Gorham, of the same address. Peter J Roberts, Myshall, Co Carlow, bred the visitor champion, Myshall Blossom, owned by Mrs F Morrison, Brookfield Farm, 79 Mahon Road, Portadown. This pony is also by Monaghanstown Fionn, but with a different dam, Myshall Lady.

Up to 6,000 spectators from home and abroad came to see a magnificent exhibition of top class Connemara ponies, and buyers, who kept a close eye on the record 550 entries in the 32 classes at the show, later paid good money for quality stock at the annual sale in Clifden Mart.