BRYAN O’Halloran and his wife Niamh have had a couple of weeks they will never forget. The pair welcomed their first child, baby Colí Gérard O’Halloran, into the world just 11 days before their mare, Cabra Jane, claimed the highest honour for a Connemara Pony, when crowned the Supreme Champion at the 99th Connemara Pony Show in Clifden on Wednesday afternoon.

The five-year-old mare by Hillside Joker out of Gurteen Breeze (Glencarrig Knight) was bred in West Cork by Jeremiah Horgan and has an excellent showing record. She won the four to five-year-old class before being called forward as Supreme when handled by Bryan.

In the traditional parade of champions through the town after the show, Niamh took the reins on Cabra Jane, while Bryan proudly carried baby Colí in the cup.

A full report from the event will appear in next week’s paper.