SNIPPET: In the March-April 2006 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, there was a several-page story by Judy ENRIGHT and photographs by John CARLOS about the beautiful Connemara (Galway) ponies. Stephanie BROOKS, author of "Seahorses: Connemara and its Ponies," (2002), moved to Ireland in 1957 with six children and said, "With six children, we needed six ponies," so they began breeding Connemaras. Nearly 50 years later, they still have the ggg-grandchildren of the original mare. Stephanie started local children riding in 1960, began the Connemara branch of the Irish Pony Club in 1974 and still has a rally at Errislannan Manor every Saturday morning with about 50 members. Ms. BROOKS remarks, "Connemaras are so special because they were used as farm animals and are tough. They had to pull carts, wear panniers filled with heavy, wet seaweed or turf for the fires and then gave the husband and wife and farm produce a lift to market. At the end of the day (and a drink at the pub) you were put aboard the pony that was slapped on the hindquarters and you were safely taken home. At the same time, the mare produced a foal each year. (All colt foals being sold in autumn.) The ponies are full of character, patient enough for dressage, brave enough for show-jumping and obedient enough for small children. They revel in cross-country courses. We ride them on our mountainy hill, which is one step bog, one step fallen stones, one step heather. They never falter. It's wonderful to watch them gallop over this country. They are so sure-footed. Ponies are a suitable height for children or adults, walk out like a horse. are easy to feed, live out all year and never seem to require a vet. Each one has its own particular character but all are very good-natured. They are economical, enjoyable, easy to handle, and look good. No wonder they are popular." The Clifden Pony Show was scheduled for 17 August 2006. Please see Connemara Pony Breeders' Society website at www.cpbs.ie.

On 4/26/07 9:25 AM, "Jean R." <[email protected]> wrote: > "Connemaras are so special because they were used as farm animals and are > tough. They had to pull carts, wear panniers filled with heavy, wet seaweed > or turf for the fires and then gave the husband and wife and farm produce a > lift to market. At the end of the day (and a drink at the pub) you were put > aboard the pony that was slapped on the hindquarters and you were safely taken > home. At the same time, the mare produced a foal each year. (All colt foals > being sold in autumn.) The ponies are full of character, patient enough for > dressage, brave enough for show-jumping and obedient enough for small > children. They revel in cross-country courses. We ride them on our mountainy > hill, which is one step bog, one step fallen stones, one step heather. They > never falter. It's wonderful to watch them gallop over this country. They > are so sure-footed. Ponies are a suitable height for children or adults, walk > out like a horse. are easy to feed, live out all y! > ear and never seem to require a vet. Each one has its own particular > character but all are very good-natured. They are economical, enjoyable, easy > to handle, and look good. No wonder they are popular." Thanks Jean, for passing this along. I fell in love with the Connemara ponies during a National Geographic special called "The Ballad of the Irish Horse" and have wished ever since that I could have a place to raise some. They are truly beautiful to behold and have a sprit born of their rugged homeland. -- We will not forget! www.remember-9-11.com www.ciarancummings.com

Hi Mike, Thanks for sharing. In the Sept-Oct 2003 issue of "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine published in Dublin, is a several-page article with text and photographs by Conor CAFFREY. The annual event, which runs a week in October is also the oldest horse fair in Europe. Per author, Spancil Hill in nearby Co. Clare and Newmarket in Co. Cork have their own importance, but perhaps because of its location near the town's centre and the houses and church steeples standing sentinel over the scene, Ballinasloe is memorable. For horses, Ireland is heaven, they thrive in the mild climate. Damp summer and limestone clays produce gourmet grasses packed with nutritious calcium for healthy horse bone, while the climate and preponderance of good bloodlines have led to the breeding of some world famous Irish racehorses and sports horses. Great horse races were held at the ancient sites of Tara in Co. Meath and the horse was integral to the inauguration of the High Kings of Ireland. It was believed that horses had magical powers, which could be used for good or evil While the October fair may have had its origin back in prehistoric Ireland, the modern fair dates back to about 1722 when Lord CLANCARTY, of the local landlord TRENCH family, was granted a royal charter to hold a sheep fair. Sheep and cattle trading was the major activity until the start of the 20th century, when horses became the major trading commodity. The Connemara Pony and the Irish Draught Horse are the two breeds that have made Ireland famous in the horse world. In times past, the great armies of Europe came to buy Irish Draughts, as their placid nature and great strength was considered ideal for military service. The Draughts were also farm horses. Today, thoroughbreds crossed with the Irish Draught Horse and the Connemara Pony produce top racing horses and showjumpers. For racehorses, the bloodlines are strictly controlled, so you are unlikely to pick up a bargain thoroughbred at Ballinasloe. Most top foreign buyers, while coming to the fair to look and see, use local dealers or agents to buy their horses at the sales held at GOFF's or Goresbridge, or even buy through the Internet. The article goes into interesting detail about was is involved in the process of buying and selling horses before hands are slapped against each other and the deal is done -- but many buyers will judge a horse by looking into his eyes, as they are windows to the soul. They will be looking for a horse with kind eyes. The dealer who knows horses will be able to tell from the length of its teeth and markings on them how old the animal is. Nowadays there is a vet on the Fair Green to ensure that the horses are not unfairly treated or fraudulently presented. Often a mark with earth is put on the horse's rump to show that the animal has been sold. While these fairs are very enjoyable and seldom marred by a serious injury, slapping a horse you pass on the hindquarters is asking for trouble and may result in a raised hoof in a defensive action. Horses with red ribbons on their tails may warn passersby that they are natural born kickers, and look out for ones that throw their ears back flattened against their head, as they are nervous or in a bad mood! Travellers (Irish gypsies) are intrinsic to the Ballinasloe Horse Festival and they come in droves each year. They come with their coloured horses and their small spritely trotter ponies. A few of these piebalds (black and whites) and skewbalds (brown and whites) have turned out to be champion jumpers. Travellers in the past came in their barrel, horse-drawn caravans. While the Ballinasloe Horse Fair is over for this particular year - who knows, you might find the perfect animal at a bargain at the next.. A tall, grey Connemara cob or a beautiful bay (light brown) sport horse that is for sale could turn into a champion jumper. The legendary showjumping champion "Leapy Lad," bred in Ennis, and winner of the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show was bought here as a three year old, allegedly "for a song," only to be sold a few years later for a quarter of a million pounds! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael P. Thompson" <[email protected]> To: "Irish American Group" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 3:51 PM Subject: Re: [IRISH-AMER] Connemara Ponies > On 4/26/07 9:25 AM, "Jean R." <[email protected]> wrote: > >> "Connemaras are so special because they were used as farm animals and are >> tough. <snip> > Thanks Jean, for passing this along. I fell in love with the Connemara > ponies during a National Geographic special called "The Ballad of the > Irish > Horse" and have wished ever since that I could have a place to raise some. > They are truly beautiful to behold and have a sprit born of their rugged > homeland.