The Clifden Connemara Pony Festival opened on Wednesday with the four-year-old Irish Green Hunter Championship judged by Ian Fearon and Pauline Dahill.

Some 11 ponies qualified across the country. With the added bonus of the new Lady Anne Hemphill Memorial Trophy at stake there was all to play for. Tulira Foxhunter jumped impeccably to win the class under Antonia De Burgh for owner Serena Cookson who is Lady Hemphill’s grand daughter, taking the Tulira prefix into yet another generation as they proudly received the cup from Angela Cookson.

Ian Fearon judged the three-year-old loose jumping, won by the filly Rushaun Gwennic (Gwennic de Goariva) handled by Linda McDonagh for her father Colman from Ennis. “Winning this class at Clifden is even better than the ongoing Fleadh at home" he said.

The four-year-old Performance Mare Championship produced some promising ponies, the worthy winner was Michael Philbin’s Beechmount Lulu (Dooneen Supermatch - Beechount Brona).

YOUNG STOCK

Thursday was show day and the weather was kind, spectators from many countries lined the rings as they savoured every class. In ring one the young stock was judged by Val Noone and Sean King, who awarded the Junior Championship to the two-year-old mare Gurteen Jennifer (Glencarrig Knight - Gurteen Eimer) owned by Cathal Mullen from Roundstone. Her bloodline suggests she is special. Reserve was the three-year-old colt Tra Bhain Ceileog (Shadow’s Dun - Cool Running) owned and bred by Micheal Reaney from Lettermore, Co Galway.

The classes in ring two were judged by Feichin King and Joe McCann, who selected Esther Feeney’s Atlantic Queen Of Hearts as their champion foal.

Cathy Snow-Coyne and Martin Coyne from Letterfrack were overjoyed to win the seven and over stallions and Reserve Champion of the show with Moorland Snowy River, who is already established as a sire of many winners.

A welcome visitor was Beatrice Maxwell Murphy from Gleann Rua Stud in Galway who watched her daughter Grace winning two ridden classes, the side-saddle class and the reserve ridden championship with her faithful mare Thiergartenhofs Larissa who was making her last appearance in the show ring on her way to Taylors Hill, in foal, to Gleann Rua Maxwell.

The good wine was kept until last as the 16-year-old mare Lackragh Beauty (Carra Cashel - Carnawre Dolly), owned by Tomás and Fiona Grimes from Ballinrobe, Co Mayo was chosen as the 2016 Supreme Champion by judges Gill Glynn, Henry Kelly, Val Noone and Sean King.

This was one of the most popular winners seen in years as well wishers came in their droves to congratulate the winning connections. Long live Clifden.