IT was always going to be a difficult first show without the quiet authority that was Ruth Rogers but her committee, headed by chair Reggie Mitchell and secretary Irene O’Sullivan, did the late photojournalist proud at the Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders Show last Sunday.

Bumper entries on a perfect summers day and a ringside gallery gathered at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, all added to the atmosphere of “Ruth’s Show”.

Winning the supreme in-hand championship was a “bittersweet one” for both Louise Noonan, whose father Noel owns Manor Duke, and Joe Burke who showed this Currachmore Cashel winning son.

“We always looked forward to catching up with Ruth and chatting everything Connemara pony-related! It was natural to look around for Ruth in the ring during the presentation and to get that sinking feeling when you remembered she wasn’t there, but I think it’s safe to say she was definitely with everyone in spirit,” said Louise.

“Poetry in motion. He [Manor Duke] is a beautiful mover and the chap that shows him [Joe Burke] does an excellent job. A very high standard overall,” remarked George O’Malley about his, Swedish visiting judge Nina Gustafson and Mairtin Nee’s champion.

Katie Curran’s big winner this season, Glencarrig Princess Katie, by their own Glencarrig Knight, was the reserve champion. It was a nice pre-wedding present for the owner, who married Raymond Walsh yesterday (Friday).

The Moycullen family also won the another feature class, the All Ireland broodmare final with Patrick’s Wyncroft Dawn.

Martin Keaney’s Murvey Rita, another by Currachmore Cashel, was the reserve while her Caherlistrane Bay filly foal Murvey Mara matched her dam’s result when she was the reserve champion foal to Sean Cooney’s Brocklodge Buster colt, Loughmore Johnny.

Galway raiders brought two more titles west when the youngstock titles went to Rachel Nee’s I Love You Melody filly and Kieran McGrath’s Glencarrig Knight yearling Inbhear Louis.

Performance classes

The Midlands performance classes were packed with many entries getting in a final pre-Dublin outing. Regarded as their “flagship performance class”, the Sarah Miller final, with dressage, jumping and conformation phases, went to Grainne Cronin’s Newgrange Danny Boy, by Wings of Justice.

A winner of the EI100 Junior class at Glaslough with Aoife Cronin, the pair are mentored by Anne Stanley who incidentally owned the reserve champion Donode Mabel Molly.

Danny’s Pride, who qualified for two HOYS working hunter classes at Cheshire County in June with Amber Marnane, won the working hunter pony championship here, ahead of Edwina O’Connor’s Aghranny Minstrel in reserve.

“Simon Beirne and I thought about 40% of the ponies were true to the traditional Connemara type. There were a few young ponies I thought were spectacular, with great potential and I think some of them will show jump for Ireland in the future,” said Rachel Bennett, commenting on their working hunter classes.

Another Tipperary exhibitor, Aoife O’Connor saw her Ballylee Castle Prince win the ridden championship, judged by Suzanne Garrigan and Shane McKenna. Thomasina O’Reilly’s beloved “unicorn pony” Rosscon Camille was reserve here and the pair picked up a second reserve title in the equation championship, won by Co Down’s Hollie Donnan.

With Brexit jitters throughout the corporate world, it was interesting to hear one managing director’s viewpoint on sponsorship.

“Willows Ingredients are heavily involved with the equine industry and by having something so local, so unique to Ireland and our own interest in the Connemara, we feel this is still part of our business and we’re delighted to sponsor it,” said David Scrivens, whose wife Carmelia breeds Connemara ponies.