Tag Archives: Connemaras

Connemaras Come to the Virginia Horse Center

Lexington, VA – August 11, 2014 – The native ponies of Ireland were well represented at the American Connemara Pony Society’s Region III Show, July 26-27, at the Virginia Horse Center. Pony owners flocked to the Horse Center from Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Delaware.

The two-day show included dressage classes, jumper classes, in-hand breed classes, hunter classes, a trail class and a lively games section. This year, the show also hosted an Inspection of Connemara breeding stock.

Upholding the Connemara motto, “Connemaras do it all,” the classes were well filled, with 57 dressage rides judged by Tracey Smith-Oliver. The final ride of the day was a six-Connemara musical ride done by young riders from Balmullo Farm in Richmond, VA. A new and novel games class, the Champagne Class for vintage riders, asked senior riders to follow the judge’s commands while holding a champagne-filled glass; whoever had spilled the least was declared the winner (of the champagne and a ribbon too).

While the performance classes are always important, for the region’s Connemara breeders, the in-hand classes are where the competition gets tough. The judge this year, Sarah McRae of Vermont noted that the quality of the Connemaras was exceptionally high in each class, and that her job was especially difficult. The “Best Connemara of the Day”, the chosen label for the In-Hand Champion, was Thurman Sileach, bred and owned by Barbara Byrd of Berryville, VA.

Also included in the show is a division for the Mountain and Moorland ponies. Those are described as the native ponies of the British Isles, and this year, there were Highland, New Forest, Welsh Cob and Dartmoor ponies. The Connemara is also a native Mountain and Moorland breed, but the rules for those divisions do not allow the host breed to compete in the classes. The Mountain and Moorland ponies did enter the performance classes and of course, the trail and games.

One of the most coveted of the class awards is the Egg and Spoon Trophy, a sterling spoon, with a Connemara marble egg, mounted on a lovely walnut base. This trophy has been hotly contested for the 27 years the show has existed. This year, it took walking, trotting, cantering, and not one, but two jumps to dislodge enough eggs to pin the class!

The competitors loved the feeling at the Virginia Horse Center, utilizing the North (Speed) Arena and an extra warm up arena. The Horse Center’s new food truck made its debut, and it received rave reviews from diners. Attendees also took advantage of the catering service, and the horse show hosted a seated dinner for 120 guests in the Mezzanine – a great way for the owners, riders and organizers to spend some time without a pony at the end of the line.

“The food was brilliant. We were so impressed; we are returning to that venue for our ACPS Annual Meeting in October,” said Marynell Eyles, the Connemara show organizer. “Our after-show survey was highly complimentary of the good service the VHC provided, and the affair was acclaimed a success. If anyone who reads this is contemplating a show, our experience has been excellent.”

About the Virginia Horse Center

The Virginia Horse Center (VHC) hosts over 100 equine events a year. In 2013, VHC provided 51,455 stable nights with an estimated 205,000 guest days and a combined local economic impact estimated at over $53 million statewide and $37 million in Lexington and Rockbridge County.

The VHC is situated on a 573-acre site with 8 barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. VHC hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five mile Olympic cross country course. Four of the VHC barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. VHC is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. VHC also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services.

For more information on the Virginia Horse Center, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Connemaras Take the Stage in Upperville, Virginia

Thurman Shammy (Photo courtesy of Pat Brescia).

Upperville, VA – The Connemara Division at the famous Upperville Colt and Horse show on June 11 was the largest there has been since the division was initiated several years ago with as many as eight ponies in most of the classes.

In the Purebred Mares, 3 and Over, Thurman Shammy took the blue while Oakfields Fuchsia was in second and Ridgetop Harriette in third.

In the Purebred Stallions and Geldings, 3 and Over, Ridgetop Windy City was first with Sycamore Ridge Irish Envoy in second and Stitch in Time in third. Windy City was the Champion In-Hand with Thurman Shammy in Reserve.

In the two ridden classes for Purebred Connemaras, Oakfields Hazel Sparrow and Oakfields Fuchsia were in first and second with Ridgetop Harriette and Ridgetop Ringo and Hunter Hack, respectively.

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

Connemaras Honored with Special USEF Awards

Donna Miller and ArdCeltic Art. Photo courtesy Donna Miller.

Lexington, KY – Each year at the United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year awards dinner, two Connemara Ponies are honored with special awards from the American Connemara Pony Society for excellence in USEF eventing and hunter competitions.

The McKenna Trophy is awarded in memory of Joan McKenna, and is presented to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF eventing competitions at the Preliminary level or above. This year the McKenna Trophy was presented to ArdCeltic Art owned by Donna Miller of Alpharetta, GA. In 2010, ArdCeltic Art successfully competed at the Preliminary level with his owner, and also won in his debut in Intermediate with Clark Montgomery in the irons.

The Clifden Trophy, donated by D. J. Moore and Laura Balding, is given to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF Pony Hunter divisions. The trophy was awarded again this year to Micaela Kennedy’s First Kiss. First Kiss was shown throughout 2010 with much success by Will Kennedy, Ashley Foster, Brianna Sims, Taylor Curry, Emily Hartley and Matthew Sassmannhausen.

Congratulations to both Connemaras on these outstanding achievements! For more information regarding the Clifden and McKenna trophies, please visit www.acps.org or contact Mary Vance at mvance@usef.org or (859) 225-6951.