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There were no damp spirits (or bodies) at last Sunday’s 6th Annual Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders Show thanks to the foresight of having a ‘viewing marquee’ which gave protection from the sudden showers whilst allowing spectators full sight of Ring 1.
The Midlands Show is becoming something of a marathon and this year’s event was no exception, due in large part to the all time record entry of over 360 ponies. Entries came from all corners of Ireland with people travelling from as far as Achill in the West, the North, South and East of the country - a good reflection of how well established this Show has become in the world of Connemara ponies. Spectators also came from far and wide with several ‘overseas accents’ being heard during the day.
Judges for the day were:
In hand: Ring 1 - Michael Casey and Niamh Melody with Ernie Somerville as Junior Judge
Ring 2 - Sarah Hodgkins and John Noel Mullen
Performance: Ninne Odenrick, Heather Wright and Denise Norton
The final climax of the Show came shortly before 8 pm when, after a nailbiting 20 minutes with all 4 in-hand judges and 1 junior judge in the ring and then a ‘referee judge’, James Leahy claimed Supreme Champion with Moorland Lady Jane (last year’s Broodmare Champion), and Padraic and Nicola Heanue’s stallion, Village Fionn, took Reserve. Eddie Crotty and John O’Byrne from Coolmore Stud sponsored the Supreme Championship and presented the winner with a beautiful piece of Galway Crystal.
2009 Supreme Champion - Moorland Lady Jane
Lucky Hazel - Midlands All Ireland Broodmare Champion
Earlier in the day, the Midlands All Ireland Broodmare Championship travelled to Claregalway, with Sinead McGrath taking the title with Lucky Hazel. Vinura Lola owned by Roger and Laura Brady took Reserve.
Glencarrig Patrick
2009 Junior Champion
The first championship of the day went to Glencarrig
Patrick, - Midlands Junior Champion - owned by Ciaran Curran, with Kevin Jacob’s Ardnore Silver Lady taking Reserve.
Sean Cooney’s Loughmore Molly - Champion Foal
The home flag was waving when Sean Cooney took the Foal Championship with his filly foal Loughmore Molly.
Padraic and Nicola Heanue won the Open Stallion class with Village Fionn. Mountain Cascade (Joanne Grogan) came 2nd with Seamus Keady’s Skousboe Morning Rock in 3rd place.
In the performance arena, the day really belonged to Blackwood Fernando, owned by Claire Devlin and ridden by Alicia Devlin Byrne. Blackwood Fernando was Ridden Champion and also took two other classes.
Ridden Champion -Blackwood Fernando with Alicia Devlin Byrne
In the new performance class (F) for ponies for years and over Lady Hempill’s Tulira Katie Daly, ridden by Elaine Creaven, claimed first place, with Blackwood Fernando in second.
This year the Sarah Miller Future Performance Pony was won by Lucy Tottenham’s Cloragh April Jewel ridden by Joanna Tottenham.
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