A NEW broodmare championship is among changes introduced for the 2022 Connemara Pony Show in Clifden, Co Galway.

The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society announced details of the show, which takes place a week earlier than usual (from August 8th-12th), to avoid a clash with the Dublin Horse Show, on their website and changes include the in-hand classes taking place on Wednesday instead of the traditional Thursday fixture.

The classes will be split between ring one and two and will see the return of the four to six-year-old stallion class and classes for dry mares and mares with foals.

The ridden classes, which normally run in ring two alongside the in-hand classes, will take place across both rings on Thursday, followed by the working hunter classes in its traditional Friday slot.

The CPBS said: “To accommodate ground condition and new classes in all sections, and ensure the smooth running of the show it is necessary that in-hand day is Wednesday, followed by the ridden classes and some working hunter classes on Thursday, the jumps and equipment necessary for Friday’s working hunter classes now being in place to permit an efficient and early start that morning.”

New classes for the Thursday and Friday include a ridden class 13.2hh and under for riders under 14; a working hunter class for the 13.2hh and under; and a performance working hunter class (phase two removed).

Tuesday has been developed to embrace the All Ireland Connemara Pony Loose Jumping Championships. With a 10am start, there will be two championships, one for three-year-olds, and followed by four-year-old mares. With an enhanced prize fund and breeder prize, the Championships hope to attract a good standard of athleticism and increased entries.

A full schedule for the show can be seen on www.cpbs.ie. Meanwhile, in 2023, the CPBS will celebrate 100 years since the society’s foundation and have announced that the third week in August next year to be dedicated, without change, to this momentous occasion.