Aubrie practicing on Shandora at home

Taylorsville, NC: Aubrie Holland learned that there was going to be a Bareback Challenge at the Yadkin Valley Hounds Hunter Pace. She was up for a challenge so got her grandmother, Sue Holland, organized and started practicing with her pony, Tullymor’s Shandora (Fieldstream Riley X Tully’s Twinkle Too [by Montully Man]). Apparently practice makes perfect, because they won!! Sue rode Gately’s Red Robin (Balius Rhyddspence X Graylyn’s Gypsy Rover [by Ruta Raitni])….she says, “We had no idea that we would win, only that we had a great ride and the ponies were perfect. We did more cantering than usual because it was more comfortable than trotting bareback for me....and I was in front so I got to choose. I haven't done anything like this since I was a teenager! Nice to know I made it back to write about it. Robin took excellent care of me. I love that pony.” Aubrie loves Shandora as well. Sue says, “There is no doubt that Shandora is Aubrie's all time favorite pony!”

Photo credit HighTime Photography

Peotone, IL: Shannon Robbins has sent this photo of her colt, Windy Isles Cisco Kidd (*The Quietman X Arbor Lane’s Bailey [by *Gunsmoke]). It was taken at their Region show last summer by Leah Smalley Photography. Cisco Kidd received a second in his big class of geldings.

Shannon can hardly wait to get on him, she says, “I am counting down until March 20, 2012 when he turns two!” She adds, “It is still a mystery to me why everyone does not have a Connemara pony.”

Ganymede

Louisa, VA: Nicolette Merle-Smith writes, “I thought you'd like to know that an article was written about my family for Eventing Nation and was posted today. It features my Connemara pony mare, Ganymede (BallywhimAn Luan X TB mare). We just attempted the CCI* at Mid-South. While we did not finish the event, we did tackle cross country and learned some valuable things to get us through the next one star.”

The link to the article written by Leslie Wylie is:

http://www.eventingnation.com/home/2011/11/meet-the-merle-smiths-americas-most-saddle-chaffed-family.html

Athens, TN: Vanessa Morgan sent this link. She says, “This is Foothills Faithfilly (Balmullo's Beacon X Foothills Hopefilly [by Concord River Roaringwater Bay]) at the Oregon Region Show Jumping Rally last weekend. There were three Connemara ponies on the team and they took 2nd out of 13 teams. This one is from the 3rd round (take your own line) where the kids have to make up their own course jumping each jump only once.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEO_B-0UJs4&feature=share