THE ‘Save Clifden Show’ logo has resurfaced throughout Connemara, along with a wave of opposition to the decision to move the 2024 Connemara Pony Show ridden classes out of Clifden.

The decision, taken by the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society (CPBS) on Monday, was put down to fears for the ground conditions due to inclement weather. They announced the ridden classes - which had 376 entries - would instead go ahead at the end of September outside Connemara at the Galway Equestrian Centre, Athenry.

While wet weather did ensue last Wednesday and Thursday evenings, show regulars argued it was nothing the showgrounds had not sustained before.

Hundreds of entrants into Thursday and Friday’s scheduled flat ridden and working hunter classes expressed shock and disappointment about the decision, as well as fears the CPBS intended to move the show venue permanently.

Many had already begun their journey west, paid for non-refundable stabling and accommodation, and made arduous and lengthy preparations for what is known globally as the pinnacle of the Connemara showing calendar.

With accommodation in the area booked out months in advance, the business community also reacted, with the Clifden Chamber demanding an urgent meeting.

A letter to the CPBS reads: “The Chamber is very disappointed regarding the recent issues of the Connemara Pony Society from the initial on, off, on again uncertainty and confusion earlier in the year to the developments in recent days.

“Clifden, the capital of Connemara, has been the home of the Pony Show for decades and provides a vital contribution to the ongoing success of the Connemara Pony.

“The Chamber urgently requests a meeting with the Society regarding our concerns and is willing to make any contribution it can to assist the society to ensure the smooth running of the show in future.”

Fierce opposition

The fiercest opposition, however, came from the riders themselves, who came together en masse at Omey Strand in Cladaghduff on Thursday in a ride of support for ridden classes remaining in Clifden.

Around 30 riders and ponies and more than 100 supporters gathered to demonstrate their “utter disappointment and disbelief that the ridden and working hunter classes were cancelled at the last minute”.

Group spokesperson Nicola Heanue said: “Many people had already arrived in Clifden for the show, or were en route when the decision was made on Monday to postpone the classes and move them to another venue.

“The general feeling among all at the strand today was that the weather was no worse than we have seen before and the ground conditions were not considered to be a problem. There is also a general consensus that people will not be attending the classes at an alternative location in late September.

“We were delighted to see so many people turn up to support the riders, who have been preparing for this week for the last 12 months.”

Defence

Defending the decision and stating categorically that there was no plan to relocate the show permanently was CPBS president Daragh Ó Tuairisg.

“With the sand arena not available, ring two had to be used as a warm up. It’s a grass arena, it’s soft, and the fear was if anything happened to one of the riders as a result - that’s what we couldn’t put at risk,” he said.

“The Irish Shows Association gave us two alternative dates, one clashed with Ballinasloe, so we chose September 28th and there was a debate looking at where it could be done with the facilities to run it on one day and in any weather and Galway Equestrian was the decision.

“We wanted to, and were organised to, have the show at Clifden. When the sand arena was out of commission, we found we were too late to apply for funding for this year, so now we will do everything we can to make it fit for purpose, make it bigger even, for next year and so we don’t compromise the show going forward.

“We haven’t looked to move the show. We didn’t want to move out of Clifden. We planned our schedule for the four days, and we got half that done, but we weren’t going to put anybody at risk.

“I have to say, the online targeting of volunteers and committee members and other public statements that are untrue have been very, very unfair, it’s ugly.

“Our hearts are down in our boots. This isn’t what we wanted. The next step is a meeting to discuss the details for the rescheduled show and, after that, we will focus on getting the showgrounds where they need to be for next year.”

Full coverage of the classes that went ahead this week will appear in next week’s edition.