THE Midlands Connemara Pony Show which was held at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on July 30th once again proved a huge success. Despite the damp weather on the day, entries this year were amongst the highest ever and it is gratifying for the committee to see the continued support for the Midlands group from all corners of Ireland. As always, Robert Fagan and his team at Mullingar Equestrian provided a setting for the show that is second to none.

The Midlands Connemara Group are thrilled that Alltech, a global leading animal health and nutrition technology company, have become involved as sponsors. This can only enhance and promote the group’s aspirations going forward. The show committee is also grateful to Galway Crystal for the beautiful crystal trophies that now adorn many of the winners’ houses.

The McLoughlin family from New Inn, Ballinsaloe, who have been long time supporters of the show, took home the Supreme Championship and the coveted George and Mary Ledwith Cup with their outstanding mare Ashbrook Venus. Standing reserve in the Supreme Championship was Robert Nee with Glencoaghan Rachels Princess.

The flagship All-Ireland Broodmare Championship was generously sponsored by Alltech and was keenly contested. The eventual winner was Castleside Ella Bella, owned and exhibited by Conor Coyne from Oughterard, Co Galway.

The Youngstock in the junior classes were of a very high standard and included many Clifden hopefuls. The Junior Championship was won by Grace Maxwell Murphy’s Glenville Glic after a very competitive Championship. David Walpole from Fenagh, Co Leitrim, took reserve champion with his two-year-old filly Cornavad Luna. The stallion class went to Gearoid Larkin’s Bantrach Michael by Glencarrig Knight, who last year won the Junior Championship at the show.

Doyle triumphs

The foal classes once again were well supported and displayed very high quality foals proving that the future of the breed is in safe hands. Colin Doyle from Castledaly, Moate, kept the flag flying for the Midlands, winning both the colt foal and the filly foal classes. His colt foal by Erinmore Golden Marble and out of Hillside Rose was a very deserving winner. Similarly, his filly foal by Banks Timber, dam Sea View Pepper, looked beautiful on the day and went on to take the foal championship.

There was a wide range of performance classes including flat ridden, working hunter, the Sarah Miller future performance pony, loose lunging and part bred classes. All classes were extremely well supported and proved very enjoyable on the day.

The flat ridden championship went to Patrick Curran’s Glencarrig Douvan, ridden by Grace Murphy. This can only be viewed as a great achievement for this beautiful stallion. He has won many in-hand supreme championships for the Curran family and has recently commenced his ridden career.

Seasoned winners

Like the good wine that matures with age, Blackwood Fernando and Alicia Devlin Byrne took the performance working hunter championship in fine style. This combination is well revered in the performance circuit and have down through the years been regular championship winners in the Midlands. Reserve working hunter champion went to Countess Sophie Maltzen’s stallion Bettyspark Shadow.

The late Sarah Miller would have been very happy to see record entries in the Future performance pony. The overall winning rosette went to Newgrange Brady, owned by Ciara Evan from Edenderry and ridden by Emma Murray.

The Midlands Committee reintroduced the Loose lunging for both three-year-old and four-year-old ponies. This proved a wise decision with both classes well supported. The three-year-old winner went to Aoife Cuffe from Glasson, Athlone, with her mare Rathville Ruby by Cashelbay Prince. The four-year-old championship went to James Geoghegans Kiltubber Dunne by another well known jumping sire, Gwennic de Gaoriva.

The show proved a very successful day with the common bond of the Connemara pony bringing everyone together. The Midlands Connemara Group extends sincere gratitude to everyone who made the day such a great success including judges, stewards and exhibitors. They look forward to the next event on September 10th in the Well, Moate, Co Westmeath, for a ‘Fillies Day Out’.