Clifden, Ire. Stallion week in the Spring in Ireland has become a very big thing……many people are now visiting Ireland for this series of events, instead of the ones surrounding the Clifden show in August. There are parades, inspections and clinics. AND sometimes rain as well. Many photos from the week can be seen at http://www.foto-job.com/wClifdenStallion08.htm Don’t worry about the password or login, they can be left blank. Click on the British flag on the bottom left and that will take you to the English language page. Below the title, EVENTS, on the left, make a selection in the box that says “please choose”. If another box appears that says “please choose”, make another selection. Then feast your eyes!

The photo shown here is Michael Igoe of Kippure Stud with Gunsmoke (in the rain), recently imported back to Ireland from the US. The Igoes have a huge breeding and training operation with many stallions standing at stud. Their web site is www.kippureconnemaraponies.com.

Leetonia, Ohio: Jill McNichol reports that she has had her first Connemara foal and first filly in 10 years!! The filly is a lovely dun as an added extra. The filly’s dam is Tre Awain Cashela Bay ( by Tre Awain Roderick O'Conor). The filly’s sire is Balumullo's Gallagher (Concord River Roaringwater Bay X Balmullo’s Miss Emma).

Grans, Sweden: Gerd Erickson writes that the first foal at Gräns stud this year was born on April 8th, a dark dun with a star. It is a colt by Grange Flynn Sparrow and BEC mare Gräns Tussilago (by Finney Master).

Gerd Says, “He is a copy of his four full siblings, but the only one with a marking on his head. He is a cute and handsome boy and full of life, giving his poor mum a hard time running around”.

Ontario, Canada: Heather Sherratt reports that she also has had Elphin Connemara’s first foal. She says, “ Abby (*Scottsway Lullaby [Kirtling Tam O'Shanter x Hobbans Lark]) did it again - a lovely bay filly last night! This is six fillies and two colts for Abby and all but one bay, like peas in a pod. She beat me to it as usual - Abby is a very independent pony - had it outside as it was a lovely spring night and by the time I got down there about 4.30, having overslept a little, she had it all done, filly up and nursing, afterbirth neatly passed and happy to go into her stall for a quick snack. I usually give a bran mash and carrots but Abby doesn't like being treated like a sickie and wanted her usual breakfast. That mare is one in a thousand - talk about totally unflapable - even for a Connie she is so sensible and organized! Foal is lovely - small, bay with a few white hairs on her forehead. Kirsten (Heather’s daughter) suggested calling her Scarlet Tanager and I think it will suit her.” Elphin Scarlet Tanager is by Maplehurst Michael McDaire (Gilnocky Ard Ri McDaire X Abbeyliex Bluebird).

Bremen, Germany: May Reiman wrote to say, “Our first foal arrived yesterday evening, sex and quality as we had ordered ;-) Thanks to the wonderful parents Hohnhorst Jamiro and AC-Shmi Tania af Engvang (by Ravnsholt's Diablo) for this wonderful filly!