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.

Newberry, Florida: A fairly large contingent of ponies from Balmullo Farm attended the Open Day of the Southern Welsh Association British Style Show held at the Canterbury Equestrian Showplace in Newberry, Fl. on October 21. While most of the Welsh ponies stayed only for the sanctioned day of the show on Saturday, there were a few left on Sunday along with several New Forest and Quarter ponies to compete against. It was especially fun for the Connemaras, though, as almost all got to go in the Championship class! The placings of the Connemaras were as follows:

Mares, 3 and over: *Belle Dawn (Laerkens Cascade Dawn X Lizabelle), 1st place
Geldings, 3 and over: Balmullo’s Swamp Fox (Seven Hills Grey Ghost X Ballywhim Candace), 1st place
Weanlings: Balmullo’s Isabelle (Seven Hills Grey Ghost X *Belle Dawn), 1st Place
Yearlings: Balmullo’s Liffey Lad (CR Roaringwater Bay X Balmullo’s Miss Emma), 1st place; Ballencrief’s Seabreeze (Hohnhorst Branni X Aladdin’s Winter Promise), 2nd place
Mountain and Moorland (any age): Balmullo’s Swamp Fox, 1st; *Belle Dawn, 2nd; Balmullo’s Liffey Lad, 4th, Balmullo’s Isabelle, 5th, Ballencrief’s Seabreeze, 7th
GRAND CHAMPION was Balmullo’s Swamp Fox. Swamp Fox is owned by Barbara Beckford of Alachua.

Edinburgh, IN: The Region 5 show was held on a blustery and very cold Saturday, October 28, at the Hoosier Horse Park in Edinburgh, Indiana. Kathy Lucas from California was the judge. An exceedingly compatible group of owners, children and ponies all gathered to watch the in hand as well as dressage, jumping and driving classes. The In Hand Champion was *Cree Lady (Forest View Sparrow X Castletown Girl [by Mervyn Kingsmill]), with reserve going to *Fredricksminde Marion (Hazy Dawn X Oxenholm Movie Star[ by Marble]). A special Reserve-Reserve award went to Legacy’s Spirit of Camelot by the imported Thunderbolt grandson, *Sydserff Avalon (Cocum Camelot X Ballydonagh Misterina [by Kirtling Brigadoon]). Cree Lady is one of three Irish mares owned by the Prendergast family of Windy Isles Farm near Chicago. The mares share their life with The Quietman, an imported stallion by Moy Hazy Cove. Other notable winners were Hillside Lily Brown, winner of the older mares class, *Pattys Noblesse Oblige (Pattys Veuve Clicquot ex Kirkeledgaards Margaux by Hazy Dawn) owned by Legacy Connemaras, winner of the purebreds 2 years and under class, and *Kingzighausen Golden Mortimer aka Ziggy, a German import, winner of the Sport Pony class. Ziggy was shown by Jessie Cohen, daughter of the Prendergasts who also showed Catherine's Pride, when his owner, Amanda Pierce, “came up lame”. A complete report of the show will be in the American Connemara.

Edinburgh, IN: On a slightly warmer Sunday, October 29, following the show, Inspections were held at the Hoosier Horse Park and Kathy Sparks’ Elmshoot Farm. Donna Duckworth, Marynell Eyles, and Kathy Lucas were the inspectors. Ten mares and a gelding passed their inspection with one mare awarded a premium. This was Ridgetop Irish Trinket by Aladdin’s Denver. After each pony was inspected, and if their owners agreed, the ponies were discussed with the audience. The Prendergast’s three Irish mares proved to be particularly useful examples of various conformation and type points…*Cree Lady for her typical head and lovely temperament, *Summer Sun for her good chest and *Catherine’s Pride aka CiCi for her legs and beautiful gaskins. Faults were also pointed out. Said Jesse Cohen who presented one of the Irish mares, “I was glad they pointed out faults as well as weaknesses - it was a very good educational experience.”

These inspections were the last for 2006, but it is never too early to be thinking about 2007. If you have ponies you would like inspected, speak to your Regional representative or the head of the Inspections Committee. Information can be found on the ACPS web site.

Atlanta, Ga: Michelle Crubaugh reports that Ivydell Miss Congeniality (C.R. Roaringwater Bay X Arab) has a new owner. “Genie” was competed for several years by Michelle’s daughter, Crystal, and won many hunter championships. But Crystal has now graduated to a horse. Michelle says, “Genie has found a wonderful little 9 yr old girl that will love her and take good care of her. It was a love match from the time the little girl got on her. She even got brave enough to ride her bareback in the indoor arena--much to her parent's suprise because they were in the middle of telling me how timid their daughter could be. The little girl’s trainer was very impressed with our Genie, and told the parents to not let this pony get away! This was the exact type of match I wanted for her, and she will be living in pony luxury land, no being used for lessons, no jumping for at least 6 months, being doted on by a pony crazy little girl.” Good luck to Genie and her new owner and also Crystal and her new horse.

USDF: The USDF All Breed Awards have been announced for 2006 and can be seen here. All 25 or so Connemaras that won awards deserve BIG congratulations for their hard work. MGRM Brigadoon, Cashel’s Rock of Ages, Skyview Cygnus and the halfbred Baliwick First Edition all deserve very special congratulations for receiving first place awards in more than one category……Rock of Ages received no less than 5 firsts!

Chuluota, Fl. Rastaman Jeeves, a half bred Connemara out of Claymore Amity (Seven Hills Grey Ghost X Balmullo’s Rhiannon [ by Roaringwater Bay]) was the champion colt at the ISR/Oldenburg Inspection held on Oct 3. He was also awarded the highest movement score of the day! Amity was awarded a First Premium at a previous inspection.

Dublin, Ireland: The first deaths ever from Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) were reported this summer in Ireland. EIA is an infection of horses caused by a virus that is not unlike the HIV virus in humans in that once contracted it is maintained for life. EIA is spread from horse to horse by blood sucking insects but can also be spread by infected blood products. When spread naturally, very close proximity is usually required, as the insects act only as “flying pins” (rather than biological vectors) and the virus does not survive for long on the insect. The virus does not infect humans. Horses that are infected with EIA show a range of clinical signs . A very small number will die within a few weeks of being infected from the acute form of the disease. Horses that survive may develop a chronic form of disease with fever, depression, weight loss and anemia or they may become asymptomatic carriers and never show any signs of the disease. It is thought that the cases in Ireland all stemmed from some contaminated blood serum that was given to a group of foals therapeutically. Extreme measures are being taken in Ireland to see that the disease does not spread and testing of more than 3000 horses is ongoing. The well-known Coggins test is used to detect carriers of the disease and horses who test positive are usually put down.

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.