THE first inkling most of those unconnected had with regard to a problem with the famous native breed show was when, under the heading ‘Surface issue puts Clifden Show in doubt’, Lesley Hunter-Nolan wrote: “The staging of the much-loved annual Connemara Pony Show at the Clifden showgrounds is in doubt after the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society confirmed that there is an issue with the warm-up sand arena.
“In a social media post this week, the society said: “A safety concern related to the sand arena in our showgrounds has been evaluated by external experts and, in consultation with our insurance company, it has been strongly advised that the sand arena should not be used until further notice.””
A truncated but similar headline on Saturday, May 18th topped Hunter-Nolan’s comment piece, which started ‘Connemara Pony owners and breeders are in outrage over news the 99th annual Connemara Pony Show at the Clifden Showgounds may not go ahead.’
Hallelujah, in a much smaller piece seven days later, we read ‘Clifden Show saved’ thanks to the intervention of a ‘stalwart of the Connemara Pony community’. This was a false dawn however as, on June 1st, when the Irish Horse World coverage of Balmoral featured the championship success of that great Connemara gelding Blackwood Fernando, we learned ‘Deep divisions hamper show plans’.
It’s a bit of a trek to get to Clifden if you don’t live there, but the physical journey is nothing as convoluted as figuring out what was going to happen in August. ‘Dates for the 2024 Clifden Show are confirmed’ we were informed in a short news piece in the issue June 15th and ‘Entries closing next week for Clifden’ on July 6th.
Thank God that’s sorted, we thought, but then, the very next week, we were faced with ‘CPBS council rumblings return’. What could it be now, we queried and LHN (yes, getting lazy) let us know: ‘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’.
‘“No plans to move show” insists CPBS in response to an on-going campaign’. In the issue of August 24th, LHN wrote ‘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.’
Why did I ever start this? The last issue of August had further news under the headline ‘Riders plan to boycott show’.
‘The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society (CPBS) is forging ahead with plans to hold the rescheduled ridden classes from its annual show at the end of September in Athenry,’ wrote LHN. ‘It comes in spite of a growing movement among entrants of the original classes, scheduled to be held on August 22nd and 23rd, who say they will boycott any venue other than Clifden.’
LHN covered that show in Athenry. ‘There were many withdrawals from the original entries of the ridden classes, which were due to be held in Clifden in August, but CPBS president Darragh Kevin O’Tuairisg said there was a “wonderful atmosphere” on the day with ridden champion Tony Lambe and working hunter champion Diarmuid Ryan dominating a number of classes.’
Could we end this saga on a good note? No way. ‘Clifden pony show future unknown as price hikes hit’ headlined LHN’s report in the issue of Saturday, December 14th. That’s it, I’m done!