CONGRATULATIONS to the connections of the Connemara Pony Hazelrock Twist who won Supreme Ridden Champion at the British Connemara Pony Society Breed Show in the UK recently for the third year in-a-row. This was after winning the M&M ridden championship at the event. She also qualified for the fourth year in-a-row for the Horse of The Year Show in the M&M ridden class.

Ridden by Sue Deakin from Warwickshire, ‘Twist’ has been the highest placed Connemara mare at HOYS in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and won the M&M ridden class at the Royal International Horse Show 2026. She is owned by Claire Lacy Flynn and Danny Flynn of Co Roscommon and was bred by Kieran and Rosaleen McGrath from Co Galway. She is by Glencarrig Prince out of Hazelrock Arís by Currachmore Cashel.

Twist also won her in-hand and ridden classes in Clifden in 2022 with Pauline Dahill and after that went over to the UK.

“It’s amazing, just phenomenal, she is such a mare,” said Claire. “She has far exceeded our expectations. So many classes are won by stallions so for a mare to win what she has is just phenomenal. And she always puts on a top performance, she knows when she’s in the ring. Sue is a brilliant rider and brings the best out of her. It’s a 20 star home.

“And the McGraths are top breeders. The people we have met and the experiences we have had with her are just priceless.”