Connemara Pony Tales

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we meet with 3 of Australia's Connemara pony breeders who are passionate about the pony and the promotion of the breed through the Connemara Pony Breeders Society Australia. 1. Catherine Hollingsworth  Catherine is the CPBSA Registrar and breeds under the Badine prefix. Catherine has been associated with Connemara ponies in Australia for 20 years. Originally i...

Send us Fan Mail  The Horse of the Year Show 2022 kicks off at the NEC in Birmingham tomorrow!  In this episode, I speak to three riders who have qualified their ponies.   Joining me are  Vicky Casey (UK), Vikki Smith (UK) and Ciara Mullen (IRE). We chat about their ponies, show preparation, behind the scenes and some of their top tips. Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I speak to a group of our top pony judges about the evolution of the Connemara pony in line with todays market demand,. Joining me are the following guests:  Ernie Somerville from Ireland Jacqueline Webb from the UK Madeleine Beckmann from Sweden This chat focuses on the changing Connemara pony, what our judges are seeing in the show ring, what they like and where...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Connemara Pony Tales, I speak to breeders who have imported Connemara stallions to help with their breeding goals. Guests: 📞 Antaine O'Cuinn of Inis Sle Connemaras (Ireland) 📞 Frankie Hirst of Barrowby Connemaras (UK) 📞 Christa Duchamps of Kiya's Connemara Pony Stud (Belgium) I speak to them about their stallions, the influence of different Connemar...

Send us Fan Mail HAVE ANY SKIN PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PONIES?  Sweet Itch/Itching  Ringworm  Mud Fever  Sunburn  RainRot In this episode we speak to Dr Kieren O'Brien about skin issues that are common in Connemara ponies. Kieran qualified as a vet in Ireland and after a short spell in two equine hospitals, he completed a PhD at Cambridge. He then spent twelve years as a lecturer and clinician at...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we are delighted to welcome Priscilla and Talitha Diamond of Diamonds Equine in Renvyle, County Galway in the West of Ireland.  Diamond Connemaras go back 4 generations to Willie Diamond who founded it in the ‘30s, his son Liam who continued the focus on performance breeding and most recently Priscilla and her daughter Talitha who are really driving home a strong p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat to three young breeders about how they got into ponies, their breeding goals and what they have lined up for 2022. Joining us are Eimear Coleman, Lorcan Glynn and Emma Jane Murray, all with a huge passion for our beloved Connemara pony. Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld

Send us Fan Mail We are hugely grateful to the British Connemara Pony Society for organising the guests for this episode:  1. Andrew Morrey, President of the BCPS, Woodbank Stud, UK 2. Kerry Wainwright , Skellorn Stud, UK 3. Dianna Staveley, Eastlands Stud, Scotland   These breeders chat about Studbooks, pony height and type and what they like to see in a good pony. A really interesting listen for...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we chat to Jimmy and John Canavan of Fernville Pony Stud in Moycullen, Co Galway.  Jimmy talks about Abbelyleix Owen, Hazy Match and I Love You Melody. He shares his thoughts on how he believes the Studbook should evolve so that we retain and improve the pony as a top performing pony but also retaining the traits of the traditional pony. John speaks about the UK m...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we once again chat with Padraic Heanue and Joanne Hannigan about the Connemara pony market this year. What are prices like? What trends are they seeing? WHat should prospective buyers look out for? Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to learn about Connemara genetics like never before! This episode we speak to Dr Melissa Cox and Fiona Comer about a range of genetic topics related to the pony: 1. Genetic diversity in our stallions 2. HWSD 3. PSSM1 and PSSM2 4. SCC 5. Melanomas A short time to hit on quite a few genetic topics but hope you enjoy it! Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPo...

Send us Fan Mail For the first time, the Irish Pony Society was awarded qualifiers for the M&M ridden and working hunter classes as well as the In-Hand Championship for the Price Family In-Hand Championship in Ireland. We chat to our qualified riders and producers: 1. Joe Burke qualified Manor Duke for the Price Family In-Hand Championship 2. Grace Maxwell Murphy qualified Addrigoole Andre for...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to learn like you never have before! The topic of AI is a beast  but something that we felt was worth discussing on the podcast. Hosted by Carol Henley of TBS Stud (and owner of Cheeky Bobby Sparrow), we are delighted to have two of Ireland's top repro vets on the show: Larry Dunne runs Ballyorney Veterinary Clinic in County Wicklow and specialises in all areas of e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Connemara Pony Tales we discuss all matters related to saddle fitting for your ponies. We have two amazing guests answering your questions: Fiona Cork, a professional rider on the showing circuit having won HOYS and RIHS several times. Fiona has had most success on Native ponies namely Welsh cobs and Connemaras. Fiona launched her own saddle brand approximately...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat to the Danish Stud, Skærgården Connemara ponies. Mother and daughter duo Birgitte and Anna fill us in on the history of their stud and how they strive to continue breeding superb moving ponies for dressage and showing. We chat about their foundation stallions including Wirtsmühle Delaney . We hope you enjoy this episode! Support the show https://www.faceboo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Carol Henley of Thornbrook Stud in Kildare chats to Mary McCann of Hartwell Stud and Ger Foley of Foley Ponies.  We chat about Ashfield Bobby Sparrow, Blackwoodland Rock and Pumkins Pondi. What is great about the jumping Connemara, how can we promote and grow the smaller pony and what do we need to do to ensure our pony is at the top of its game for the Internatio...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we chat about the height of the Connemara pony, both the demand for the larger pony and then the lack of smaller, quality ponies now around.  What do we do about it and what changes should we consider in the Studbook? Joining us on this episode are Ernie Somerville, breeder, judge and inspector, Kevin Bolger, CPBS council member, breeder and producer and Kate Murr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat with Shirley Jones from Topspec, a leading equine nutrition company,  about feeding your ponies this winter. She is joined by Emma James and Phoebe Beaumont. Both riders are at the top of their games and offer some of their tips for optimum performance. If you would like any free advice on feeding your Connemara pony, please contact Shirley at shirley.jones...

Send us Fan Mail We were delighted to chat to Blanche Miller of Rosenaharley Stud in Dorset, UK. Blanche has been involved with Connemara ponies since the 1950s and only this week it was announced that she was awarded the Michael J. O’Malley Award by the International Committee of Connemara Ponies (ICCPS). This award is given to an International owner or breeder who has selflessly promoted the Con...

Send us Fan Mail With the Connemara Pony Show meant to be taking place this week at Clifden in Galway, Ireland, this episode is with the ex CPBS President Tom Mac Lochlainn taking us through the history of the show. Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we chat to one of Ireland's most successful Connemara pony producers, Joe Burke.  Joe is a CPBS and IPS judge and also on the CPBS inspector panel. He has won the national confirmation assessment as part of the HSI young breeders program. Joe has won All-Ireland Championships with Connemara ponies and RIDs. With his ponies he has been Clifden Champion twice,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat to top show riders Ciara Mullen, Harrison Taylor and Sadhbh O'Connor about what's going on in their yards, ponies to watch and some of their favourite shows. All riders have competed and won at the top level including HOYS, Royal International and Dublin Horse Show. Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we speak to the incredibly knowledgeable William Micklem. William is a keynote speaker, author (best selling manual "The Complete Horse Riding Manual), coach, inventor of the Micklem bridle, columnist and breeder (Mandiba, HIgh Kingdom and Jackaroo). In 2014, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Eventing Ireland and in 2018 a lifetime achievement awar...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we sit down with Tom MacLochlainn, former President of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. Tom gives us an insight on the history of the pony, influential stallions and how custodians used to operate before private stallion owners came about.  Tom also answers some questions from social media on HWSD, Coral Prince and the changing height of the Connemara pony. Sup...

Send us Fan Mail This episode we chat about buying and selling Connemara ponies with Padraic Heanue and Joanne Hannigan. Padraic Heanue is the Manager of the Connemara Pony Sales in Connemara and breeder of Lough Fadda ponies. Joanne Hannigan produces Connemara ponies for sales and export. Support the show https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld