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Ponies, Ponies, Ponies!
Skies may have been grey but this was made up for in an abundance of good spirits, a very attractive showground and quality ponies at the 7th Annual Show on Sunday, 25th July. The classes started promptly at 9.30 and the day closed with the inaugural Parade of Champions at 5.30. Walking around the show grounds, one was immediately struck by the number of visitors from various parts of Europe – an eclectic mix of accents.
This year, there was one international judge per ring for the in-hand classes, with two different judges for the Glenisk All Ireland Broodmare Championship. Tuula Pyoria (Finland) and President of the International Connemara Pony Societies judged Ring One and Christine de Malezieu Mares (France) was the judge for Ring Two. This worked well and initiated some interesting discussion around the international perspective in judging. Lady Maria Levinge and Martin Nee had the difficult task of judging a large entry for the Broodmare Championship.
Entries were representative of every region in Ireland and Midland breeders got off to a strong start with Eddie Fleming taking the honours in the first class with his yearling colt, Gneevebrack Fionn (Monaghanstown Fionn – Gneevebrack Belle).
Glenisk Organic Dairy Products generously sponsored the All Ireland Broodmare Championship with Sean Dunne’s Banks Vanilla (Teglstrup Duke – Squares Do Do) taking the Championship.  Talking to Sean afterwards, he said today had been a very special day for him. He had bought his first pony – Abbeyleix Fionn – from Lady de Vesci and as co-founder of the Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders had approached the de Vesci family to ask whether they would like to give a perpetual cup. It was an honour to have now won the Lady de Vesci Perpetual Cup.
 Midland Breeders had another great win, when Mary and Pat Rabbitt took first place in the stallion class with Monaghanstown Prince (Glencarrig Prince – Monaghanstown Sheeba). Joanne Grogan claimed second place with Mountain Cascade (Laerkens Cascade Dawn – Mountain Lady) and Cashel Bay Cruise (I Love You Melody – Coosheen Pheasant) owned by Robbie Fallon took third.
Monaghanstown Prince went on to become Supreme Champion  with Árdríon na hUidire (ArdRi Cunga – Canal Laurin) – an 11 year old mare making her first outing in 8 years and owned by Carmel Melody claiming Reserve. The Supreme Championship was sponsored by Noel Noonan of Manor Connemara Pony Stud and we thank him for his generosity.
 The Junior Championship was won by Tomas Mac Lochlainn’s dun filly Ashbrook Orga (Hazy Match - Blue Rose) with Kieran McGrath’s Hazelrock Star (Glencarrig Prince - Smokey Star) taking Reserve.
 Thomas Dempsey’s colt foal Westside Shadow (Moonlight Silver Shadow - Roan Hannah) was Champion Foal with Sean Cooney’s Lóghmore Mandy (Currachmore Cashel - Corrib Misty) taking Reserve.
Family rivalry  was to the fore when cousins, Patrick and Dillon Curran, lined out in the Young Handler class. Although standing at the end of the line in the initial call-in, their attention to instructions earned them 1st and 3rd place respectively.
 The performance classes also had a successful day. The Ridden Championship was claimed by Treanlawn Glen Charlie (Glenvalley Grey - Seershin Lady) owned by Elizabeth Wentges and ridden by Rosemary Wentges Reserve went to Cashel Bay Prince (I Love You Melody - Coosheen Pheasant) owned by Claire Crawfod and ridden by Padraig Flannagan. The Sarah Miller Future Performance was won by Jane Hancock’s Comical Con (Crusheen Comet - Crusheen Connie) and ridden by Eliza Hancock. Second place went to Deirdre Scott’s Tulira Turlough (Tulira Robuck - Tulira Mabel Rose) and was ridden by Philippa Scott. Walstead Carier (Tiercel Top Cat - Cutler’s Lucky Gem) ridden by Rebecca Fabby and owned Lucy Fabby and Kirsten McDonagh, took third place.
As another Annual Show finishes, it is an opportune moment to thank everyone who sponsored a class and to extend our sincere appreciation to all our class sponsors. In thanking people, we are also conscious of the great contribution made by so many people who volunteer their help and it is this spirit that has made our Annual Show what it is today.
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