HAVING been away several years between third-level studies and working in Dublin, we settled back in Carrowkeel, Ballinrobe in 2003 and at this time also set about establishing our Connemara pony stud.

Our main goal was to commit to the breed standard of the Connemara pony. The subsequent breeding programme has resulted in producing offspring that are true to type and possess all the characteristics that the Connemara pony is renowned for throughout the world.

Initially we underestimated the value of a prefix. For the first years we used our townland Carrowkeel and its Irish version An Cheathru Chaol in naming our ponies before eventually settling on and registering the Copperbeech prefix in 2011.

Located on the gateway to Connemara in south county Mayo, the stud farm’s broodmare herd stems from three direct mare lines: Lackragh Beauty, Lishín Star and Curragh Court Lady. These three foundation mares each represent the breed to the highest of standards, having all been multiple supreme champions and reaching the pinnacle of their showing careers on the green grass of Clifden’s famous Ring 1.

Tomás is the Infrastructure and Sustainability Programme Manager for Ireland West Airport Knock while Fiona works in education as a Special Needs assistant in Mount St. Michael’s, Claremorris.

1. Proudest moment(s)?

We’ve been fortunate to have many great days with our ponies. As breeders of Connemara ponies, the annual show in Clifden is our Olympics. Thankfully we’ve managed to have some fantastic results there, the biggest of which came when Lackragh Beauty was crowned supreme champion in 2016.

That was a huge day for us as An Cheathru Chaol Bláthnaid won her mare class and the two mares stood side by side as visitor champion and reserve visitor champion. Lishín Star has been our most prolific achiever at Clifden, having gained multiple reds throughout her show days with the pinnacle coming in 2019 when achieving the title of reserve supreme champion. However, arguably the most important red came whilst under saddle with our daughter in the leadrein class.

Carrowkeel Star stood reserve supreme champion in 2014, Copperbeech Polly had a notable win in 2019 and Curragh Court Lady won in 2009 and we’ve had many other great placings. On three separate occasions we’ve managed to have two ponies in the Clifden supreme championship, something we are massively proud of.

2. How many broodmares do you currently have?

The current crop of broodmares include Lackragh Beauty (Carra Cashel - Carnawre Dolly), Lishín Star (Glencarrig Prince - Dunlewey Lisheen Liath), Carrowkeel Star (Currachmore Cashel - Lishín Star), An Cheathru Chaol Bláthnaid (Robe Earl - Lishín Star), Copperbeech Star (Clonberne Boy - Carrowkeel Star), Ember Grey (Lake Lad - Curragh Court Lady), Copperbeech Polly (Menlough Owen - Carrowkeel Star) and Copperbeech Aisling (Menlough Owen - Lackragh Beauty)

3. 2022 foals - how many due next year?

We have four foals due to hit the ground in spring 2022, all going well. Three mares had been foaling very late in recent years, so we gave them a miss for 2022 with the intention of getting them in foal in good time for spring 2023. We’ve also put Copperbeech Polly back under saddle after having two foals for us, so she’s out of the breeding programme for the next couple of years.

4. Favourite broodmare/stallion, past or present?

One thing that visitors to Copperbeech always say to us is that we have our type. I guess it’s something we are very proud of and consider a compliment, as it means we have stayed on track with our breeding principles and goals. Village Boy and Cloonisle Cashel have been influential sires in our ponies back pedigrees.

A mare we admired greatly was the beautiful Irishtown Beauty (Abbeyleix Fionn) who happened to be the dam of the stallion Bunowen Paddy. He has just returned to Sweden following three successful stud seasons with us.

To pick a favourite, we’ll keep it in the parish! Lishín Star, she’s a winner, has bred winners, the kids can ride or show her, she’s taught us a lot, she’s everything for us that encompasses what we try to do. She’s part of the family.

Fiona Grimes and Lackragh Beauty, supreme champion Clifden 2016 \ Susanne Lehmann

5. The market for Connemara ponies has been extraordinarily strong this year. Why?

It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what has influenced the market, there’s probably a bunch of reasons that have created today’s strong market. When the market crashed previously, there was an abundance of ponies moving out of Ireland for small change.

In some circumstances this destroyed the market for the foreign breeder within their own country, they couldn’t compete, and many stopped breeding and in turn has reduced the in-country capacity to supply Connemara ponies to their market. Covid lockdowns have had an influential effect also.

I think people reassessed life and lifestyles and found more room for activities such as equestrian pastimes.

Finally, we think the popularity of the Connemara Pony grows and grows across all areas: breeding, dressage, working hunter, show jumping, eventing and so on – the market is reflecting the popularity of this wonderful breed.

6. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Connemara pony breeders?

Undoubtedly the current challenge of costs is a difficulty for Connemara pony breeders. Every aspect of agriculture input costs, including the equine breeding industry, continues to soar.

Fuel, feed and fertiliser costs are through the roof, veterinary medicines have had a noted upward trajectory, God forbid you are in need of buying a horsebox – a new standard two horsebox is €10,000 plus!

We’ve noted a significant increase from the transporters for exporting to Europe. As for transport to and from the UK – Brexit has made that an expensive and rather onerous experience.

7. It takes a team. Who’s on yours?

It’s a family affair with all hands on deck! Every spare minute counts as we both work off-farm full-time, so our children Bláthnaid (14) and James (12) are very much involved in all that goes on to keep the stud farm ticking over. Of course, extended family, good friends and neighbours are there when called upon also.

8. Best advice you got?

Work hard. If you want to achieve your goals, you must work hard. Target what you can achieve, aim for it and give 100%. Set your standards and maintain them, be the best that you can. That goes for everything, not just the ponies!

Fiona Grimes shares the joy of winning the Registered Mare 16 years and over class at Clifden Show with Lishín Star \ Rynes Walker

9. Flying home for Christmas – as well as a vital transport link, Ireland West Airport is a valuable transport link for western breeders?

Ireland West Airport Knock airport has been an access point for Connemara pony enthusiasts, whether they be on a buying mission to sales, attending Clifden or simply visiting breeders and the region.

The British market is extremely well served with Connemara fans having the choice of nine UK routes. In Europe our routes to Milan and Cologne have been popular for those travelling on Connemara pony business.

Christmas at Ireland West is special. The Irish diaspora is huge and it’s the time when our loved ones come ‘home’. We witness both extremes of emotions at the airport; tears of joy pre-Christmas to be followed by tears of sadness in the New Year as loved ones leave home once more.

10. Barry’s or Lyons? Tayto or King? Club Milk or Snack? Paddy’s or Jameson?

Some of the great unanswered questions of our times – answers on a postcard please...