Welcome to the American Connemara Pony Society Web Site

Do you have news about your Connemara that you would like to share with other ACPS members? Email Donna Duckworth with the details and any photos to duckwort@mgm.ufl.edu. Show results, results of inspections, new foals or unusual adventures especially welcome! Please note that any professional photos must be accompanied by a photographer's release before they can be used.

Elk Grove, CA: Star Vaughn's Tommy Mac was the unanimous choice for the 2006 Connemara of the Year. The award is given to a purebred Connemara who "has done something special to bring positive attention to the breed". The award is usually given at the annual awards banquet but as the banquet this year was earlier than usual due to the 50th Celebration, the committee waited until the competition year was over before making the award. Tommy Mac is owned and ridden by Genay Vaughn of Elk Grove, CA. Genay's parents won the imported purebred gelding at an auction several years ago to benefit the US Pony Club. Genay and Tommy Mac compete mainly in open dressage competitions throughout the state of California. At the 2006 CDS Junior Young Rider Championships Genay and Tommy Mac were awarded FIRST LEVEL CHAMPION in the 16 and under section with a score in Test 3 of 71.571% on August 12,and the next day rode Test 4 to a score of 65.694. Her cumulative score for the event was 68.592. Read more about Tommy Mac in an upcoming issue of the American Connemara.

Carlisle, MA: Region 1 had a picture perfect day for the
inspections at Concord River Farm in Carlisle MA on October 7. Inspectors were Donna Duckworth, Catherine Mack, and Marynell Eyles, with Liz Platais filling in. Two more US bred Premium mares were approved. They were Caroline Nesbitt's senior dun
mare Wintervale Ronia, by Chiltern Colm, and Gloria Suntrup Lacroix's Folklore Honor Larkin, a grey by Tre Awain Cavan O'Conor out of Balius Siobhan. Five other ponies were approved including one stallion, Ripleigh Go Bragh, a 5 year old byHideaways's Erin Go Bragh out of Tre Awain Toura Loura. He belongs to Renee Vaughn of Ancram, NY. Liz’s imported filly, Irish Promise, by Hazy Match was much admired. The owners and viewers all benefitted from the comments and discussions about why this mare is Premium quality and why that one is good, but not Premium. Special guests included Bridget Wingate from Alberta Canada who was in town for a family gathering.

Edmonton, ABTA: On Saturday, September 30, the first ever annual general meeting of the newly sanctioned Canadian Connemara Pony Society was held. Members from Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia attended the meeting. Much was discussed and it looks very good for the future of the new society. Heather Sherratt from Ontario was elected president, Bridget Wingate from Alberta is VP,Margot Watson from BC is treasurer and Jocelyn Davies from Alberta is the new secretary. There are five other Board members from across the country. On Sunday, October 1, Connemara Pony Inspections were held with 11 ponies being inspected. The inspection team consisted of Chris Knox, Margot Watson, Heather Sheratt, and IC 's, Penny Huggons, Tracy Dopko, and Susan MacDougall.

Century's Zodiac Aidan (Century Fredrick McTeague X *Tatham Ballinanna), a 3 year old stallion owned by Elsie Priddis of Eloden Connemaras from Saskatchewan, was approved and Devon Ridge Rhiannon (Bien Mallin's Rory O'Sullivan X Avenn's Golden Legacy), a 5 year old mare, received a "premium". It is interesting to note that Golden Legacy is a full sister to Avenn's Golden Raini. Raini is the dam of the first ever premium mare that was awarded her premium last year in British Columbia, Coastal Celtic Cleidh.

Morven Park, Va: No Secrets, aka Gabby, a halfbred bred by Ann Skidmore and trained by Donna Miller won the Morven Park CCI*, Young Rider Division, on October 8. She was ridden by Hadley Warner. No Secrets is by Ian McVeigh out of a TB mare.

Indianapolis, IN: Tre Awain Shanna Golden (Tre Awain Roderick O'Conor x Tre Awain Rosin Dubh) and Tre Awain Amberwitch (Loughmor Aran x Tre Awain Golden Lily) placed first in the Indiana Whips and Wheels CDE, Combined Test, Training Level. It was their first sanctioned ADS event, and they received great marks for their effort. The pair are just back from participating in the Second Annual National Drive, KY Horse Park, Lexington KY, where drivers gathered from across the US for a fun filled and educational 4 days of driving and clinics. Kathy Sparks and Laura Balding were joined by ACPS members Fonda Eigel and Tamme and Harvey Roberts and the weather proved to be spectacular and so were the ponies !!!

Saratoga. NY: Greystone Adirondak A’Herne had another great day with owner Cindy Fletcher. Cindy and “Harry” competed at the Saratoga Driving Club CDE. Cindy has discovered that Harry likes to compete in the rain far better than sunshine and the day of the CDE was one of those days of dismal rain. Harry did his stuff in the mud and came home with another Championship ribbon. He not only was the high point dressage pony but ended up beating all the horses as well with a 75.71% in Preliminary Test 1. Harry has been Champion or Reserve in no less than five shows this year. You can read all about Harry in the next issue of the Ammerican Connemara.

Cedar Creek, Texas: Another fun driving pony is the halfbred mare Bluebonnet’s Divinity aka “Nina” (by Bien Mallin’s Little Ben). Nina was Reserve Champion of the Novice division at her first ADS recognized Pleasure Driving Event. Owner Heather Cable says, “I took along new Connemara owner and ACPS member Susan Glover as groom/navigator and she asked to drive in a few classes on day two where she won two 5th place ribbons in Single Pony. Susan’s pony, Bluebonnet’s Keeley, drives and now mother and daughter will have to duke it out over whether Keeley will drive or jump on any given day at the barn!”

Los Angeles, CA: Michelle Cihak was 2nd (missing first place by 3/10ths of a point!) in the Training level junior/young rider division and reserve champion with MGRM Brigadoon (MGRM Rock n Roll X RBR Miss Patrice) at the recent Region 7 USDF Championships. On her halfbred Connemara, Bailiwicks First Edition, (Farmore Flamboyant [sportpony, welsh/TB cross] X Sticky [Connemara]) Michelle was reserve champion in the First Level Jr/YR division.

Alachua, Fl: Stephanie Davis received honorable mention for her photo entry into Sage Software employee’s ad contest. Stephanie’s photo featured her half Connemara, Balmullo’s Anemone (CR Roaringwater Bay X Syamiko) revealing the secrets of Sage software.