CONNEMARA pony sales have reached new records and amongst the lots at the upcoming Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden is one special entry.

Park Snowy Henry (Lot number 556), is entered by the Connemara National Park as a generous fundraising gesture for the Connemara Therapeutic Riding registered charity.

‘Henry’, a three-year-old grey gelding, will go through the ring on Sunday, August 14th.

He has a very interesting pedigree as his sire is the world-famous Moorland Snowy River and his dam is Moycullen Star Girl, by Shadow’s Dun. Park Snowy Henry was bred in the Connemara National Park in Letterfrack, his home to date.

Described as “quiet and well-handled”, some of that personality is due to him being greeted, photographed and admired by the many visitors to the Park and its Visitor Centre.

Funds raised by his sale will be donated to the valuable work of Connemara Therapeutic Riding (CTR), a not-for-profit organisation. The charity, with a new board of directors, was established to provide specific therapeutic riding services and equine-assisted activities to people with a very wide range of mental, physical and intellectual additional needs. These include Down’s Syndrome, autism, acquired brain injury and many more.

Another of its aims is to facilitate accessible supported holiday breaks in Connemara to people with similar additional needs and their families/carers. CTR recently moved to its new long-term centre at Cleggan Farm and presently, has up to 30 clients availing of its services each week. The CTR service has employed a manager and coach on a full-time basis and depends heavily too on big-hearted volunteers to act as leadrein walkers and assistants.

“We also rely heavily on the continued goodwill and support of the wider community for funding,” the CTR press release added. “We’re extremely grateful to Connemara National Park for their generosity and show of support for our service.”