There were some outstanding mares in the classes at the 94th Clifden Connemara Pony show last week, with the new Supreme Champion of the show emerging from the 10 to 15-year-old class. Poesie Melody, owned and exhibited by Noel Sweeney from Ballyconneely, took the red rosette that later earned her the Supreme Champion of the show sash and the Jan Harald Koelichen cup along with a beautiful Galway Crystal trophy.

Bred in France by Hubert Laurent, Noel Sweeney purchased Poesie from French breeder Paschal Wandon, her sire Imperator Melody (Idenoir – Silver Sparrow ) was a half brother to I Love you Melody. Poesie’s dam Equinoxe Melody was by Apollon Pondi (Island Earl - White Granite, by Marble).

Noel had another celebration recently with the arrival of a new baby grandson, Cillian, born to his daughter Melissa Connolly. Cillian’s grandfathers both had Clifden champions - a very rare feat, Paddy Connolly won it in 2006 with the stallion Dolan Mick and last Saturday the new arrival aged just 12 weeks sat proudly in the huge trophy as family celebrations went on into the early hours.

True to type

The Reserve Champion of the show was the true to type 17-year-old mare Fionn Lady by Monaghanstown Fionn. Fionn Lady is owned and was exhibited by Dermot Dunne from Portarlington and was bred by Paddy McCormack in Athlone from his immensely successful broodmare Beech Girl who has provided him with a foal for 18 successive years and is still going strong with a foal at foot.

Dunne said “I was looking for a mare to keep the breed intact and when Malachy Gorham tipped me off about a mare he spotted in the local riding school who was finished her career there, he suggested I should come and have a look, the rest is history.”

The Junior Champion, Moyabbey Twilight, is owned and was bred by Tony Walsh from Moycullen, she comes from an old and established bloodline through her sire Glencarrig Patrick (Glencarrig Prince - Festy Lady).

Standing Reserve Junior Champion was Caherross Duke (Glencarrig Knight - Moorland Snow Queen) exhibited by Kieran McGrath from Hazelrock Stud and owned by former racehorse trainer Henrietta Knight. This stallion was bred by Linda O’Donovan from Rosscarbery, Co Cork.

The four to six-year-old stallion winner was Noel Noonan’s Manor Duke (Currachmore Cashel - Banks Vanilla) produced by Joe Burke.

The foal classes were well supported and Brian Mullen’s Gurteen Henry (Glencarrig Knight - Gurteen Kate) won the colt section.

In the filly class the judges were unable to decide between John Joe O’Neill’s Caherlistrane Noreen (Caherlistrane Prince -Silver Gillian) and Patrick Kearns’ Brocklodge Emma (Brocklodge Buster -Loughmor Suzy). Referee judge, Roger Joyce was summoned and after some reflection Brocklodge Emma got the nod and later brought the Champion foal sash back to the Midlands.

PERFORMANCE PONIES

Wednesday featured the Irish Connemara Green Hunter, Three-Year-Old Loose Jumping, and Four-year-old Performance mare championships.

Harold McGahern judged the Irish Green Hunter, where Ballynagally Fergie (Bobby Sparrow Blue -Lady Macdara) ridden by Justine O’Hara brought home the Lady Hemphill Perpetual cup.

The three-year-old Loose Jumping was won by Rooska Benny (Killaloe Fear Donn - Windy City) owned by George Walker from Athea, Co Limerick.

The four-year-old Performance mare championship sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland resulted in a win for Creagh qualifier Beechmount Heather (Dooneen Supermatch - An Cailin Deas) owned by Dorothy Philbin from Louisburgh.