Lemonfield Lass takes the Day

Sunday, 24th July dawned grey and drizzly as helpers and competitors set off for the 8th Annual Midlands Connemara Pony Show at its new location in the Mullingar Equestrian
Centre.   However, nothing could dampen the air of excitement as the show started shortly after 9.30 and as the day went on the sun emerged to match the warmth of everyone at the Show.

The in-hand ring judges for the day were Jimmy Canavan and Nicola Musgrave and a toss of the coin saw Nicola in Ring 1 and Jimmy in Ring 2. Lady Ann Hemphill and Nina Gustafson from Sweden judged the All Ireland Broodmare Championship and in a new innovation this year, the guest judge, Micheal Higgins, was joined by Jimmy Canavan and Nicola Musgrave for the Supreme Championship

The 2011 Supreme Champion is Malachy Gorham’s Lemonfield Lass shown by his brother Joe and he is seen below with Noel Noonan of Manor Connemara Ponies and judges Jimmy Canavan and Micheal Higgins.

We have heard on the grapevine that Lemonfield Lass got the ‘welcome of welcomes’ when she returned home with banners, balloons and many well wishers there to greet her.

Francis and Deirdre O’Reilly took Reserve with Glenmore Kelly’s Owen.

This year the prize fund for the All Ireland Broodmare Championship sponsored by was €2,600 and the first 10 places received a monetary prize and everyone on the day was given a   ‘bag’.  We were honoured to have Lord Tom de Vesci attend the show and present the Lady de Vesci Cup to the winner with Lucky Hazel, owned by Sinead Lusby McGrath taking the Champion’s sash.  She is seen below with her owners,  Minister Jimmy Deenihan presenting the Galway Crystal trophy.

There was a strong entry in the class with ponies coming from as far afield as Scotland – John and Dianna Staveley travelled from their home in Escaldemuir with their mare Eastlands Burnibrae who took 5^{th place.}

Glenmore Kelly’s Owen owned by Francis and Deirdre O’Reilly came second as well as taking Reserve in the Supreme Championship.

The Junior Champion was a home win for the Midlands with Sean Dunne from Portarlington taking the sash with his 3 year old filly, Garryhinch Swallow.  She is seen below with her owner, judge Nichola Musgrave and Eddie Crotty of Ballinclough Stud who kindly sponsored the 3 year old filly class and is presenting a crystal trophy.

Reserve Junior Champion was the dark grey colt, Doonreaghan Marty, owned by Mairtin Nee and shown by Noel Nee.

Despite some disappointment that only 7 of the 14 entries showed on the day, Cathy Snow Coyne’s Moorland Snowy River was a worthy winner of the Open Connemara Stallion class.  He is seen below with his owners, Brian Cleary of who kindly sponsored this class, John Moran (Chairman MCPB) and Andy O’Donoghure (President CPBS).

Declan O’Flynn’s bay colt foal, Ballylee Cool Champ took the Champion Foal sash with Martin Feeney’s Unnamed foal standing Reserve.  Ballylee Cool Champ is seen below with his owner, judge Jimmy Canavan and Susan Fleming who kindly sponsored this class along with her husband Eddie.

Local interest was high in the Filly Foal class as Paddy McCormack’s Beech Eagle won the class and Sean Cooney stood third with Loughmore Nancy.

Performance judges were Jane Darragh, Kieran Guinness and Anthea Rainsbury.   There was a good entry and Blackwood Fernando, owned by Claire Devlin and ridden by her daughter Alicia, was on form taking the Ridden Champion sash and some further red rosettes.  

The Sarah Miller Future Performance was won by Comical Con (Crusheen Comet-Crusheen
Connie), owned by Jane Hancock and ridden by her daughter Eliza.

The Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders are indebted to their main sponsors, Manor Connemara Ponies (principal Show sponsor),  (All Ireland Broodmare Championship sponsor), (sponsor of the Open Connemara Stallion class),  Colm Quinn BMW who sponsored the Working Hunter Performance Classes and Jim Derwin Bloodstock Agent who sponsored the Ridden Connemara Pony Classes.  We are also sincerely grateful the following class sponsors:

Dunnes Building Services Paprika Design Tom & Bridie Bourke Eddie Crotty Seamus & Esther Hynds Connemara Pony Review Moate Farm Store Donal Murtagh Car Sales Marian Condren Eamon Burke Eddie & Susan Fleming Willows Ingredients Glasson Veterinary Clinic Wheelchair Cars Ireland O’Flaherty Fuels Doolan’s Costcutters Gem Hardware, Garden Centre and Farm Supplies

Sugar and Spice 2008