HAVING put uncertainty about its annual show behind them, the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society is facing a new challenge, after a group of directors resigned on Wednesday night.

A statement from those who resigned reads: “Seven directors and trustees of CPBS have resigned yesterday afternoon, July 10th, citing various reasons. However, the pivotal issue that triggered these resignations was the decision by a small group of council directors to dissolve the international sub-committee.

“This committee has traditionally served as a crucial communication link between Ireland and its 17 overseas daughter societies of the ICCPS.

“The dissolution of the international sub-committee has been perceived as a blatant disregard for the ICCPS’s structure and its affiliated societies.

“The resigning members believe this move was intended to isolate certain individuals within the organisation.”

The following directors resigned: Ulla Connolly, Ann Marie Conroy, Ciaran Curran, Gearoid Curran, Fiona Grimes, Ray Halpin and James Naan.

Confirmed

A statement from the remaining CPBS council members confirmed the resignations, but said they would not affect the show or any other CPBS services with the Connemara Pony Sales sand arena now locked in for the loose jumping classes.

It stated: “Yesterday evening before and during a Council meeting, emails were received from seven people resigning from the CPBS Council. Some had no reason for their resignation, others said they were unable to work with the Council any longer. None of this will affect the show or the services of the society, as these directors had no role or were not involved in either of these.

“The CPBS council, elected by its members, selects the executive body. Recent resignations came from the previous executive and their supporters. Since November, the new council has worked to deliver the service members expect, starting with clearing a backlog of passports from the previous administration, which had worsened annually.

“The new council is also addressing other inherited issues, including compliance with the charities regulator, ongoing court cases, staff training, and financial practices, with the aim of resolving these concerns.

“Again, we are looking forward to the biggest show yet in the coming weeks and seeing all our members and international guests.”

Those who remain on the CPBS council are: Darragh Ó Tuairisg (president), Pierce O’Malley (vice president), Alan Woods (finance officer), Cáit Hennessy (HR officer and show chair), Kevin Bolger (company secretary), Joanne Hunter (inspections chair), Johnny Brady (performance chair), Noel Mahon (breeding chair), Noel Brett, Martin Coyne, Pat Geoghegan, Clare Oakes and Peter O’Malley.

A further statement in relation to the international sub-committee said there was no objection to the international committee being removed by the council at the meeting before last, when it was proposed, as it “had not reported on anything since this Council started last November and the Council had got correspondence from daughter societies, who were saying they were unhappy with communication between the Council and daughter societies, which is the international committee’s responsibility.”