Equestrian Network Magazine



	By Jessie Cohen

	The Connemara Pony is an ancient pony breed of Ireland. It ranges in height from 13-15 hands with 14-14.2 hands as the average. It can be any solid color and white is permitted, but excessive white is not encouraged.

	The Connemara Breeders Society was founded in 1923 in Ireland in hopes of preserving and developing the breed. Stallions and mares had to pass (and still do to this day) to be put into the studbook. In 1964 the Studbook was closed so only foals born of registered parents were permitted to go up for inspection and registry. The history of the Connemara is obscure there is evidence of Welsh Cob, Thoroughbred, Arabian and Irish Draught (the last three added into the bloodlines of the society after it was known that not many sire lines were remaining).


	Famous sire *Abbeyleix Owen

	The American Connemara Pony Society was founded in 1956. It is the 3rd Society to be founded after the English Connemara Pony Society which was the 2 nd (The Connemara Pony Breeders Society of Ireland of course being the first). Subsequent societies include Germany and Australia, New Zealand, France, Sweden, and others.

	Hideaway's Erin Go Bragh			Famous Connemaras include Dundrum a 15.1 Thoroughbred-Connemara cross (called a half-bred) who was very successful in the 1950s and 60 and who jumped 7+ feet. Other famous Connemaras include Dressage rider Lendon Gray's half-breds Last Scene and Seldom Seen (USDF Hall of Fame). Purebreds like *Grange Finn Sparrow (sire of many good eventers), 14.1 hand Olympic Individual/Team Silver Medalist Stroller, and Hideaway's Erin Go-Bragh (winningest Eventing Stallion in History and made in a Breyer Model).

	The motto of the breed is "Connemaras can do it all!" and they definitely live up to it. Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving and even western events such as barrel racing and team-penning; there seems to be nothing the Connemara cannot do and do gladly. The famous Foundation stallion Cannonball CPBS-S0001 �C was unbeatable in the pony races and then after a night of drinking would carry his unconscious owner, Henri Toole home to the farm on his own.

	Breed definition cites the Connemara Pony as: Standing on short legs, covering a lot of ground. The cannon bone is short, dense, flat and clean, measuring 7 to 9 inches below the knee. The body is deep and compact, well-balanced with depth, substance and good heart room.


	Photos courtesy of Vanessa Morgan of Foothills Farms Connemaras

	The Connemara has a good sloping shoulder, length of rein, and moves freely with little knee action with surprisingly large strides for its height. On this strong, sturdy body sets a handsome pony head, with a well defined jaw and good width between large kindly eyes. Easy keepers, they do not require a rich diet and are for the most part hardy. (Breed Definition Maureen Loughman-Abel).

	Tempermentwise the Connemara ponies are on average very quiet and well-mannered, perfect for young children or adults. Stallions of the breed are well-known for their quietness and good disposition. It is not uncommon for a stallion owner to be approached and commended for their "geldings" good temperament only to find the "gelding" is indeed a stallion!

	At present the Connemara is a small but ever-growing breed. The society is an enthusiastic and passionate one and the future looks bright.



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