SITUATED on the outskirts of Ennis in Co Clare, Gateau Stables is a family run business with a long association with the equestrian industry. The family specialises in producing, competing and selling quality jumping ponies destined for international careers.

Top ponies available

Valerie Gateau, who runs Gateau Stables with her son and rider Jack Conlon Gateau, is familiar with the industry and has built a strong clientele both in Ireland and across Europe.

“We are fortunate to have a good selection of ponies and horses in our stables. Currently we have a couple of 138cm ponies who are capable of jumping big tracks, one of which is Sienna Dusky Sky who took third place in the recent Coolmore Stud Pony Premier Series in Coilog,” Valerie said.

“We also have River de la Courance and Gateau Hello Dolly, both are for sale and got their golden tickets for the RDS. We also have the very talented six-year-old Gateau Mr Blue who took the runner-up spot at Barnadown in the 148cm six/seven-year-old RDS Qualifiers.”

Producing and selling

Valerie and Jack also train and compete ponies for owners and breeders. “Typically, owners who have a good pony ask us to train and put points up on the pony, with a view of selling that animal or bringing him on to jump bigger classes.

“We also have breeders who come asking us to prepare their pony for a particular show or series, such as the Millstreet International Horse Show Discovery or the Cavan Pony Sales.

“More recently we have been asked by foreign owners who would be very complementary of Irish pony riders’ ability to deliver top performances to compete their pony on the Irish circuit.”

Achieving results

2019 has been a prolific year for Gateau Stables ponies in Ireland and abroad. Jack (13) has qualified three ponies and a horse for the 2019 Dublin Horse Show. In the 138cm division he won the Home Pony International Cavan qualifiers and went on help secure the U14 team gold medal.

With his new mare Berlina KWPN, he was the fastest to cross the finish line securing victory at Barnadown Children on Horses qualifier. With 138cm French pony River de la Courance, he secured another RDS golden ticket, taking the runner-up spot in Maryville qualifiers.

For Valerie, a pony performing well is a great window to promote Gateau Stables.

“Watching our past ponies performing well and winning with new riders is very reassuring for parents who approach us looking for a new pony for their child.

“We were very proud to see former pony stallion Blaengwen Kato Star taking reserve champion title at Swedish National pony championships with his new rider this year.

“Two of our past ponies, Sweet Lily and Uquam d’Emery, are qualified to jump at Horse of the Year Show later this year – this is the best reward for our work,” she said.

Gateau Stables ambassadors

Gateau Stables has been very innovative in the pony industry in recent years, coming up with the exciting concept of identifying pony ambassadors who are happy to campaign Gateau Stables present or past ponies and wear the Gateau Stables colours at shows.

Valerie believes a pony performing well is her best marketing. 2019 has been a fantastic year for Gateau Stables ambassadors with riders and ponies taking dold at the Home Pony International, qualifying for Olympia Horse Show, winning U10 Balmoral Championships or taking silver medals in Sweden.

This is a great concept Valerie wants to develop further in the future.

“It is very exciting to follow ambassadors performances across Europe!”

Follow Gateau Stables on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with the latest results.