This article is from page 31 of the 2007-08-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 31 JPG
TOUGH yet gentle, the Connemara Pony is one of Ireland’s true native beauties. Originally raised on the barren lands of west Galway, the ponies have managed to maintain a beauty that belies the toughness of their character.
In recent years, interest in these proud animals has grown greatly.
So-much-so in fact that, according to the Connemara Pony Breeders So- ciety, more than €5 million changed hands during the three main pony marts last year.
Ruan’s IJ Shannon has been breed- ing Connemara’s for more than 40 years. Since the arrival of Connie back in 1965, ponies have had an equal footing with music in the Shan- non household.
“We started off with just a few of them and we would sell off the foals. We started to keep a few then as the family got interested in jumping – Sharon, Mary and Gary. They used to have a rosette coming home from every competition,’ said IJ, who now keeps more than six Connemara’s.
“That went on until they were 16 and they weren’t eligible to take part in the shows with ponies after that,
they would have to get into horses. I suppose the music took over after dake
In the 60s and 70s the Connema- ra’s were working animals, but with names like Ruan Rocket, Banjo, Mandy (short for Mandolin) and Ba- Zookee, they quickly became more like members of the family.
“They are so placid, a child can even go up on them without a bridal or a harness of any description. When we got them first they were working horses. One used to do the ploughing and slinging the hay, you could do anything with them,’ continued IJ.
‘The first pony we had was Connie, she was with us for 20 years. All of the ponies out there are descendants of Connie.
“TI spend a lot of time out there with them. Any spare time I get I would be talking to them. They talk back, try to talk anyway with some kind of language anyway. They get to be like part of the family. The minute I go out in the morning, if I even cough, they’ll all answer.
“There would be more stone in Connemara than there would but here but they are tough enough ani- mals. They are very easily kept in comparison to the other horses. You could take them anywhere and they would thrive.”
The 83rd Connemara Pony Show takes place at the Showgrounds in Clifden from August 13 to 17.