Knight reigns as pony show gets off to a flyer
Prince Ranjitsinhi, a renowned cricket player, who lived at Ballynahinch Castle, officially opened the first Connemara Pony Show in 1924.
But yesterday it was a Knight who was the focus of attention as the 84th annual show took place in gloriously sunny Clifden, Co Galway.
British trainer Henrietta Knight — Best Mate, triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, was her most successful horse — and her husband Terry Biddlecombe are regular visitors to the annual show.
“This is always the highlight of my summer. We have been coming to the show for the last five or six years. We breed Connemaras in England and we come here trying to learn something from the country where they originated.”
Henrietta, who has successfully exhibited at the show in the past, said the event has a charm that is difficult to describe for an English person.
Henrietta, who purchased ponies at the show in the past and has two others in the sales at Clifden Mart, said the Connemaras are very clever ponies, forward going and active, which puts them in big demand.
Another distinguished visitor was the former Australian Finance Minister John Dawkins, who served in governments headed by Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.
Mr Dawkins, who is now president of the Connemara Breed Society in Australia, said there is a demand for the breed because of their temperament and their performance abilities.
That demand is giving the breed an enhanced role in the rapidly changing structure of Irish agriculture and is seen as a realistic alternative farming enterprise, according to Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) president, Dermot Power.
Mr Power said breeding mares can make up to €10,000 while a filly foal can be bought for between €2,500 and €4,000.
He estimated 8,000 people flocked to the show to watch 560 of the finest Connemara ponies compete in 22 showing classes.
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