HAVING survived World War II and Foot and Mouth disease, it was devastating for the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society to cancel the 2020 Annual Connemara Pony Show. Since the show’s introduction in 1924, this is the first year it has not taken place, but like many other organisations, the health and safety of the members, competitors, spectators and local community had to be put above all else and on the advice of the Irish Shows’ Association the event was cancelled.

The show in the third week of August each year is the centre piece of a week-long festival which takes place in Clifden and its environs. The support received every year from local businesses and residents is invaluable and of huge importance to the festival as the Connemara Pony community takes over the town of Clifden.

Christine Molloy and Doire Mhainagh Earl clear hold the Puissance record having jumped 1.63m in 2013 \ Susanne Lehmann

Preparations for each show begin in the weeks immediately following the conclusion of the previous year, and the tremendous work from all the volunteers throughout the year and especially the hours given during show week must be applauded. The CPBS as a society strive to have a bigger and better show each year and seeing the success of the show makes endless hours of work worth it.

There is no better sight than that of the native Connemara Pony filling Ring 1 and 2 at the CPBS Showgrounds, with dedicated and proud local breeders and exhibitors, and the many enthusiastic competitors who travel long distances to compete at the “Olympics” of the Connemara Pony, against the best of the best.

Every show brings new faces and it is a trip many overseas members from the daughter societies make annually, some societies having been in existence for over 50 years. Many enthusiasts return home having hopefully purchased their next champion, either from local breeders or at the Connemara Pony Sales which take place on the Saturday and Sunday, ending the festival week.

In 2020, it had been planned to run the show over four days, a day longer than the years previous. As the show goes from strength to strength, it is time to extend it to display the many diverse abilities of the Connemara Pony. New classes will be introduced in 2021 across the in-hand, ridden and performance sections which we think will be a popular addition.

The Annual Connemara Pony Show in Clifden could not take place in any given year without the hugely generous sponsors who cannot be thanked enough for their continued support over the years. Hopefully they will all be back on board next year. It is a pleasure to welcome Willow Ingredients, the Irish-based, family-owned distributor of raw materials for food, healthcare, sports and animal nutrition industries across Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America, on board as an important new sponsor.

The CPBS look for forward to extending a warm welcome again to all at the 97th Annual Connemara Pony Show 2021 in Clifden.