Isabel Hurley

AN 11th hour reshuffle of both the judging panel and the chair of the Clifden’s world famous Connemara Pony show next month has triggered a wave of controversy.

At a special Council meeting of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society on Monday, it was announced that the first non-local person to act as chair of the Clifden show committee, Wicklow’s Pat Geoghegan, was being replaced along with two named judges ahead of the flagship August show.

The reasons cited for the reshuffle apparently relate to the rulebook section governing judges, the chairman’s role, and the exhibition of Connemara ponies owned, part-owned or associated with them. However, it is understood that some or all of the parties concerned feel that they complied fully with the rules and legal advice is now being sought by at least one of them.

The Irish Field learned that the two judges were not at Monday’s meeting, which took place in Ballinasloe, and only learned of their fate afterwards.

Meanwhile, it’s understood that Mr Geoghegan, a well-known and successful exhibitor, was present and was informed shortly before the Council meeting began that he would have to step aside as chairperson to ensure full compliance with the rulebook.

None of the parties contacted had any comment to make at this stage.