BREEDING Connemara ponies is something that I’ve been brought up with, so it was obvious that it was something I was going to be passionate about myself. I’m the third generation in my family to be breeding and using the Glencarrig prefix, which was first used in 1963.

Breeding and showing is something we’ve all had a passion for. The stud now has five Clifden supreme championships to our name, along with countless other wins, including RDS champions too. Breeding is a tough game, but it is incredibly rewarding when the ball bounces the way you hoped it would.

Owning a pony like Glencarrig Douvan has given me so much joy that I don’t think there are enough words to justify it. To have bred him as well has made it something more rewarding as you know you’ve truly been there from the beginning; from choosing the stallion for your mare, watching the foal being born, grow, knowing you’ve something special on your hands and then for that foal to come to everything you had wished for is just pure joy and happiness.

Years of work, dedication and all the knowledge passed on to me from my dad has helped me get to where I am now with Connemaras. Douvan may have me listed as his owner and breeder, but it was far from a done-it-all-myself job.

1. Congratulations on Glencarrig Douvan’s double supreme championship at the Clifden centenary show. Tell us more about him.

Thank you very much. He’s a seven-year-old grey stallion by our own home-bred stallion Glencarrig Knight and out of the first pony I bought myself: Wyncroft Dawn, who is by Laerkens Cascade Dawn.

The story begins really with his dam. When I was 12, I wanted to buy a filly foal to go showing as, from a young age, the Connemara youngstock classes were something that excited me. You’d even see them change and develop as the showing season progressed.

So I went to the Clifden sales and, after three days searching and nothing taking my fancy, I saw her in a pen with about eight others on the final day. She just grabbed me, I bought her and thankfully I did because she changed my life.

I got so much joy out of showing her with huge success, including giving me my first Clifden win. She grew my love of ponies more and gave me the proper bug for breeding. Glencarrig Knight needs no introduction but the two of them - he and Wyncroft Dawn - knit so well together and Dawn’s third foal was the amazing Douvan!

2. How many broodmares do you have?

We have 12 broodmares here. Douvan’s dam Wyncroft Dawn has a full-sibling at foot - a filly named Glencarrig Dawn Run. Dawn is in foal to Currachmore Cashel for 2026 in the hope of a colt to add new blood to the stud to cross with our Glencarrig Knight mares.

Glencarrig Scarlet is another mare who consistently breeds top-class stock for us. She has a filly this year by Glencarrig Douvan, named Glencarrig Wynter and is carrying a 2026 foal to Knight.

Scarlet’s eight-year-old daughter Glencarrig Sea Breeze is a multiple show winner for us, including on the biggest stage, and she has already produced traditional true-to-type foals that are winning in the UK. She has a filly foal at foot by Adrigoole Samuel and is in foal to Manor Duke.

So many more to mention, but one who deserves an honourable mention is Miss Eleanor, dam of the recent Clifden winner Glencarrig Kingman, by Glencarrig Knight. She has his full-brother at foot - Glencarrig Stateman - and is carrying to Glencarrig Douvan for 2026.

3. Describe your ideal Connemara.

For me, I love a pony with presence. Good head, good round jaw with good width between the eyes. Bone is something that’s getting lost and a traditional Connemara needs it, but to get that balance of bone and quality too is key.

4. “Fools breed foals for wise men to buy.” Agree/disagree?

I’d have to disagree. If you’re a serious breeder, you want your ponies to go out there and do well even if it’s not with you. They help promote what you have at home.

And you will always be a part of their story.

5. How do you market Glencarrig ponies?

I’m very lucky that, by the time I got into breeding, Glencarrig Stud was already a name firmly on people’s lips.

Breeding good ponies to go out there and do you proud is a major factor, as it draws people back to you to source their own. Social media is obviously a huge factor nowadays too.

Social media has its pros and cons, but I think, in this instance, it does a good job.

Grace Maxwell Murphy aboard Glencarrig Douvan after they secured their ticket to the Horse Of The Year Show at Clonmel Agricultural Show, with Patrick and Ciaran Curran \ Rynes Walker Photography

6. Best advice you ever got?

“Don’t dwell on the things that have gone badly in the past, as it will affect you moving forward.”

7. Glencarrig is yours, thoughts on prefixes?

I think they’re great. Breeders put in a lot of time, effort, dedication and hard work so, if something goes on to be successful, it’s nice that they get the recognition for being a part of the journey.

8. That famous horse or pony you’d love to have bred?

The first pony that sprung to mind was Castle Comet. Bred by Henry O’Toole in Clifden and owned by Vanessa Compton in the UK.

Although I never saw him myself in person, every picture or video I’ve seen of him just left me wanting more. His pedigree was second to none and he was a pony I wish we had here, as he would have been a great addition to the breed.

9. It takes a team, who’s on yours?

I’m very lucky to have my dad Ciaran here with me, it’s always great having a second opinion, a backup and someone to share it with.

My uncle Gearoid is an integral part too and there’s not much the three of us don’t do together. My mother Martina and sister Eleanor are a huge part of the team also and we all lean on each other.

Of course, there is Grace Maxwell Murphy too who, not only is my best friend, but is the one who produces Douvan for me under saddle.

This just enhances the experience as it’s done with friends and family and shows the community you build through horses and ponies.

10. Your favourite time of the year with the ponies?

For me, it has to be springtime. New foals being born, next generation is starting to develop and planning future crosses. That’s where the dreams begin.