The Connemara: a pony that's actually a horse

TOUGH AND resilient, the Connemara pony is faring better than most equines during the current recession. This exciting and resourceful native breed has an international reputation, with societies in 16 countries throughout Europe as well as the US, Canada and Australia. It is living Irish heritage and has a traditional role in the farming life of Connemara as a working, carriage, riding and breeding animal.

It also thrives on sparse grass, reeds, rushes, bog plants, herbs and, where accessible, seaweed. The livery or stabling costs currently crippling so many horse owners at present are not applicable to the Connemara pony as so many, including show ponies, live outdoors. The breed is well served by having an independent, organised governing body with a cohesive agenda: the preservation of the breed.

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society, which has full control of the breed stud book, was established in 1923. Many years ago, the breeders decided to introduce Arab, thoroughbred and Irish Draught bloodlines to produce quality foundation stock. The breed specifications are precise: the pony blessed with a small, neat and pretty head, is a compact, well-balanced riding type, powerful, with a free, unfussy movement capable of covering the ground.

Ideally suited to hunting, cross country, adult-riding-club and pony-club activities, including dressage, it is a great all-rounder. Often seen in show jumping, working hunter, ridden show events and particularly in specific in-hand breed-show classes, the Connemara is also a dynamic proven performance pony. Two of the members of Ireland’s recent silver-medal-winning European Showjumping Pony Championships team were pure-bred Connemara ponies. One of them, Ballyowen Maybelle Molly, a seven-year-old grey mare, ridden by Kellie Allen, took the individual gold medal.

Whereas the Irish Draught horse, in common with the Connemara pony, has immense heritage status, it is endangered.

By contrast, the Connemara pony is served by 3,000 breeding mares and 400 stallions producing 2,500 foals per year. It owes its survival to the dedication of generations of Connemara farmers who bred fine ponies, as had their fathers before them, and also to Anglo-Irish ladies intent on preserving and sustaining a unique pony that is, in fact, a small horse.