The Connemara is the only native breed of pony in Ireland and takes its name from the rugged but beautiful area west of the city of Galway to the Atlantic coast bounded to the East by the Maamturk mountains, Lough Mask and Lough Corrib.
From their native home, a land of mountains, lakes, bogs and stony outcrops, Connemaras have inherited stamina, tough-ness and surefootedness. It is a harsh environment where even small areas of grazing are few and far between. Because the climate is largely influenced by the Gulf Stream, grasses, herbs, reeds and rushes are brought on early in the year and continue growing well into winter. The soil in many areas contains enough mineral deposits to enrich the vegetation. Many ponies have access to the seashore and can feed on the seaweed which is rich in minerals and iodine.
These are all contributory factors to the excellent hard bone and naturally good muscle development which are characteristic of the breed. The nature of their habitat taught these ponies to negotiate steep and rocky places safely, and to avoid bogs, as well as to find shelter in the valleys and amongst the rocks when fierce winter gales swept in from the Atlantic. The Connemara pony can easily adapt to horse stature when richly nourished. It has contributed substantially to show jumping and eventing progeny.
The Official Breed Description:
Height: Normally 128 cm to 148 cm at maturity.
Colour: Grey, black, bay, brown, dun, with occasional roan, chestnut, palomino and dark-eyed cream.
Type: Compact, well-balanced riding type with good depth and substance and good heart room, standing on short legs, covering a lot of ground.
Head: Well-balanced pony head of medium length with good width between large, kindly eyes. Pony ears, well-defined cheekbones, jaw relatively deep but not coarse.
Front: Head well set on to neck. Chest should not be overdeveloped. Neck not set on too low. Well laid-back shoulder giving a good length of rein.
Body: Body should be deep, with strong back, some length permissible but should be well ribbed up and with strong loins.
Limbs: Good length and strength in forearm, well-defined knees and short cannons, with flat bone measuring 18 cm to 21 cm. Elbows should be free. Pasterns of medium length, feet well shaped of medium size, hard and level.
Hindquarters: Strong and muscular with some length, well-developed second thigh (gaskin) and strong, low-set hocks.
Movement: Free, easy and true, without undue knee action, but active and covering the ground.
Characteristics: Good temperament, hardiness, staying power, intelligence, soundness, surefootedness, jumping ability, suitable for child or adult.
Hojbjerg's Bright Star, grade 1 stallion, born 2005
Sire: Innellan Kestrel
Dam: Princess Star
Colleen Supreme
Sire: Moyvoon Star
Dam: Newtown Supreme
Nire Valley Liath
Nire Valley Liath
Sire: Monaghanstown Fred
Dam: Canal Laurin
Terry's Pet with foal out of Go Charlie Go
Sire: Cloonisle Cashel
Dam: Moylough Lass
Little May, mare, born 2004
Sire: Glencarrig Lexus
Dam: Aran Jessica
Cashelane Nikki, mare, born 2007
Sire: Derrylough Charlie
Dam: Nire Valley Liath
Cashelane Lara, filly, born 2009
Sire: Hojbjerg’s Bright Star
Dam: Nire Valley Liath
Cashelane Stud, Durrus, Co.Cork, Tel. 027/62000, Fax 027/61175
www.cashelanestud.com, cncd@indigo.ie