IT’s always fascinating to hear the numerous foreign languages being spoken around Ring 1 when the Connemara classes, whether on the flat or over jumps, are being judged at the Dublin Horse Show.

The English and Irish voices can be raised passionately during Sunday’s international Connemara performance hunter challenge and this year Scottish and Welsh accents will be added to the mix. The Great Britain team comprises Ella Dalton (Hearnesbrook New Moon), Gemma Pallett (Mirah Hero), Isabel Rugman (Corderry Grousehall Jack) and Emma Rugman (Fortane Danny).

Those selected for the combined Scottish/Welsh team are Carole Stewart (Finnan Boy Blue), Mia Biggs (Stradone Prince), Bernadette McElhinney (Jamies Lad) and Zara Bainbridge (Gortgarrow Willow).

Following Dublin, the two teams, managed by Debbie Nickson, will travel over to the west for the annual Connemara Pony Show in Clifden.

The Irish team for Sunday’s challenge will be selected following Tuesday’s two Berney Bros Saddlery Connemara performance hunter championships.

The qualifying rounds for these always attract large numbers to the four venues throughout the country.

The joy of our native breed is that the ponies are suitable for under age and adult riders alike, although for these Dublin championships there is a minimum age of 14.

Good form

One pony definitely on course to meet its engagement in the five to seven-year-old class is the 2013 Templebready Fear Bui gelding Tullaree Fear Bui. He will be ridden by his Killinchy owner, Emily McGowan, who won this class in 2015 and 2016 on Benny Liath and Rathbane Legend respectively.

McGowan’s grey has enjoyed considerable success so far this season, being crowned Connemara working hunter champion at Balmoral ahead of Marjorie Hardimann’s 11-year-old Cashelbay Prince gelding, Creganna Dancer.

Most recently, McGowan and Tullaree Fear Bui won the working hunter championship at Tattersalls July Show where they were towered over in the presentation by Victoria Clarke on the reserve, Jayne McConnell’s five-year-old Kings Master gelding, The Masters Choice, who too is Dublin bound but for the horse section.