THERE was no shortage of passion and pride as the 94th Clifden Connemara Pony show – the 70th at the present show grounds – took place last week.

Crowds overall were down owing to the inclement weather conditions but that did nothing to deter Connemara owners and breeders who travelled from all over the world to witness a selection of the best Connemara ponies in Ireland.

There were some outstanding mares in the classes with the good wine kept until last.

The new Supreme Champion of Clifden emerged from the 10 to 15-year-old class, Poesie Melody, foaled in 2003, owned and exhibited by Noel Sweeney from Ballyconneely, took the red rosette which later earned her the Supreme Champion sash.

Bred by Hubert Laurent in France, she has an interesting pedigree as her roots come from Ballyconneely, her sire Imperator Melody (Idenoir x Silver Sparrow) was a half-brother to I Love You Melody. Silver Sparrow by Abbeyleix Owen, bred by Peter Joyce, was Supreme Champion at Clifden in 1985 and was also a sister of the successful stallion Cuchulainn.

Poesie’s dam, Equinoxe Melody, foaled in 1982, was by Apollon Pondi (Island Earl - White Granite, by Marble) and Sweeney purchased his champion from Pascal Wandon in France last November.

NEXT GENERATION

Noel had another important milestone in his life recently with the arrival of a new grandson, Cillian, born to his daughter Melissa.

Cillian’s grandfathers both had Clifden champions – a very rare feat. Paddy Connolly won it in 2006 with the stallion Dolan Mick and last Saturday, Cillian, aged just 12 weeks, sat proudly in the Jan Harald Koelichen Cup, observing the gathering of the Sweeney brothers Noel, Malachy, Terence and Tommy, with their families to celebrate winning six trophies at Clifden, and the birth of the next generation.

Perhaps in years to come, Cillian will continue the great tradition of the Connemara Pony set by the Sweeney family in 2017. Long may it last!