Submitted by Meg McNicol: Jill Howells McNicol’s Elodon Zodiac, a Connemara stallion bred by Elodon Connemaras, at the National Dressage Pony Cup!!! We just adore him.💚 Photo by Winslow Photography
We recently asked our social media followers to share a photo of their favorite Connemara or Connemara cross, and tell us a little about them, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming gallery right here! We will be sharing stories from folks who love this breed all month long.
Did you know that dressage riders who choose a Connemara as their dressage mount are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as the American Connemara Pony Society (https://www.acps.org) is a participating organization?
The amazing Ridgetop Royal Locket, halfbred mare by Aladdin’s Denver, competing at 3rd level Photo by John Borys Photography – Marynell E.Piedmont Penelope, Connemara/TB. Had 18 wonderful years with her. She was pretty darn special 💕 – Michelle C.Registered half connemara by WH Top Gun, BDF Top Dun. Currently competing 4th Level, working on PSG. He earned our Bronze medal and bar as well as several regional championships and competed in Developing PSG last year. – Danielle C.My halfbred (connemara/WB) by Skyview’s Triton. She is 4 and I have had her since she was 1 1/2 years old. She is smart and quiet minded. I am an AA an I have done almost all of her training myself. They are a fabulous breed and can really do it all! – Sarah A.Halfbred Cool Springs Mr Darcy (Blue Ride Monroe x Zaria) at the 2022 US Dressage Finals. He qualified in his first year of recognized dressage showing, earned the breed high score there, as well as a USEF HOTY award that year. He also earned his ACPS Award of Excellence in Dressage in his first year of showing. Photo credit Susan Stickle – Jen G.Folklore Grainne (*Kilfenora WIndy Isle x Folklore Honor Larkin). Gracie is a purebred premium mare who has been Grand Champion in had at both Region1 and Ragion3 shows. While Gracie is a wonderful pony under saddle she excels as a broodmare having produced 5 exceptional foals including Ridgetop Tom Collins who is standing in CA. She is expecting her second filly, in June. – Sue A.Registered 2020 halfbred HSH Gunpowder and Lead, by W.H. Topgun- Connemara, out of a TB/Holsteiner (Riverman) mare, bred by April Hays, photo by Lauren Hobby McKenzie – Heather W.Windy Hollow Modern Millie(Bantry Bays Kilcullen x Windy Hollow Lilia). Millie and I earned our bronze USDF medal together and are halfway to my silver. This is just out hacking one day. These ponies are versatile. – Amy P.Marshwood’s Summer Keavey owned by Vanessa Morgan is an incredible Connemara to me for I definitely have a different set of riding skills. My ankles are fused so I dont have the ability to put my “heels down” which has a big effect in my ability to sit balanced in a saddle. I have several more physical issues that effect how I ride. No matter how I’m doing Keavey listens to my weak legs, adjusts to my falling forward, and so many other things I do as a dressage rider that’s not at all the conventional way. She’s always been kind and forgiving. We’ve been a pair for a couple of years and we plan on being a pair for several more. She often neighs at me when I come into the barn calling her name. I had a bone marrow transplant in 1998 at only 25 yrs old. Post transplant life has been a life full of orthopedic bone and muscle issues plus so much more that have changed how I live and ride. I’m not a wordsmith by any means but I’d still love Keavey to be considered as the fantastic lovely mare she is. – Krista H.This is my purebred Connemara stallion *Swansview Mirahs Shadow as a 3 year old at his first show. Although I make him do everything, even cow sorting, to show him as a well rounded stallion, I plan to go pure dressage with him 💙 – Megan G.Miss Congeniality, Connemara/Arabian cross. – Michelle C.Our homebred half Connemara Summerhill Twisted Ritz, by TF Classic Twist (TB) and out of Blackwing Cajun Lullaby. She will be backed next year! – C Flynn RiderWindy Hollow Tamarack (Aluinn Durango x Caraway Gilly) my 9 year old gelding who has been my partner in adventure since he was a weanling. From self directed neighborhood walk abouts (involving escape from his field and the subsequent jumping into the neighbor’s paddock a mile down the road-no fences were harmed in the process) to untying any knot, nearly swallowing key fobs, to working cows, jumping (with a rider), and learning the obedience and dance of dressage, I am never bored. – Tracy R.– Cait G.My athletic and talented unicorn, Hideaway’s Jedi, 2005 registered halfbred Connemara by Erin Go Bragh. We are currently competing in PSG Dressage and Novice Eventing. Because we love the Connemaras, we just acquired our second Connemara-a 3 yr old purebred gelding VSH Devine Novell by Tullymor’s Ned Devine. – Minna H.Century Hill’s Hazy Westleah, a purebred Connemara by Kippure Cara. He will be out at Fourth Level this year, possibly making the trip to Devon if all goes well. – Lee T.*Smaragaid Cliff, ACPS inspected premium purebred stallion, with USDF Gold Medalist Amber Clark. Cliff and his progeny have won multiple USDF All-Breed awards and USEF HOTY awards, both in-hand and under saddle. We LOVE our Connemaras! – Karen L.Bijou’s Prima Valentina (filly facing the camera) with her favorite Thoroughbred, Jinx! Cliff (stallion in photo left of this one!) makes the BEST BABIES – Sarah A.Kynynymont Cooper O’Grady, 2008 ACPS Premium Connemara Stallion. 14.3 and all power with a lot of heart! Expertly bred by Pam Liddell at Kynynmont Connemaras – Jessie P.
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