FOR myself and my siblings (mostly John, Peter and myself), it all started off with Connemara ponies in Rahoon, Co Galway with the strong influence and support of our mother, Nora.
We had many ponies, some bought and others we bred under the Seafield prefix, which belonged to our farm. We owned and bred ponies such as Seafield Silver Buck and Seafield Silver Rogue (who the CPBS purchased from us) and Seafield Silver Dun, who won at Clifden with my brother John as a yearling colt, just to name a few. Our original mare was Pretty Maid; she was by Bridge Boy and out of Pretty Lass.
After emigrating to the States in the early 1980s, I ended up in Montana. The Seafield prefix was used on our ranch, where we raised and bred American Quarter Horses. We primarily bred horses for the cutting, ranching and roping industries. We kept an average of 32 broodmares and several stallions, with an average of 28 foals each year.
Most of our stock was coloured stock… buckskin, black, palomino, blue roan, bay, bay roan, and grullo. Colour always sells. Montana was good to us, but of course it could be a challenge. The weather was dry, which meant hot, dusty summers and bitter-cold, snow-filled winters. Temperatures of 20 and up to 40 below zero in the winter were not uncommon. That can be a challenge when raising any type of livestock.
We had a 300-acre ranch, which was small by the standards of the average rancher in the mighty state of Montana, where land was bought in sections (640 acres per section).
My love for the Connemara pony was deep seated and, in 2014, we imported four Connemara ponies to the States: Seafield Dangan Nora (Young Walt - Glenrevagh Holly, by Banks Timber), Seafield Ruby (Banks Timber - Kiltullagh Lass) and Doonhill Dancer (Currachmore Cashel - April Dawn Lady).
We successfully showed all four and Doonhill Dancer went on to have a successful three-day-eventing career.
Although loving Montana and the ranching lifestyle, after importing the ponies the pull to return home to Ireland after nearly 40 years away grew stronger. We purchased Cregduff Emily, by Drumbad Fletcher Moss and out of a Currachmore Cashel dam. Emily resided here in Ireland at Seafield Connemaras with my brother Peter until we returned home full-time.
We would return home during the show season and take her to as many shows as we could squeeze in. She took fourth place in Clifden as a two-year-old and had several wins that year as well.
2025 was Emily’s biggest year. She showed in the young handlers and took first in nine out of her 10 shows and was second in the Clifden young handlers’ class. She also graced us with a first place rosette at Clifden in the six- to nine-year-old mare class without a foal at foot. She showed off her beautiful, graceful movement and made us very proud.
Seafield Turnog Mossy, by Drumbad Fletcher Moss and out of an Atlantic Tiger mare, was another very successful pony we had. We had two great show seasons with him. 2025 was an exceptional year for ‘Mossy’, as he won several championships and reserve championships. He was a character to own and show, always a pure gentleman.
Seafield Cora (Killea Legend - Derrymore Classy Katie) is a beauty of a bay mare, who had a great couple of show seasons with us. She also showed her gentle nature in the young handlers’ class, making several young handlers very happy.
Rosedale Harlow made her debut with us last year as a yearling. She had a successful season, and we look forward to seeing how she progresses.
We also dabble in Irish Draughts and Irish Sport Horses, such as Cherrynook I Love Lucy (Moylough Supremacy), Cherrynook Coco, by Tyson and out of a Pacino mare and Cherrynook Ringo, by Road To Happiness and out of a Chair Lift-bred mare.
https://foto.ifj.ie/fotoweb/archives/5006-Irish-Horse-World/Irish%20Horse%20World/3EB10208-0189-429D-8BB1-BABFF5C4D8A3_1_201_a.jpeg.info#c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5006-Irish-Horse-World%2F%3Fq%3Dmike%2520keane
Mike and Jennifer during their years in Montana before their move to Ireland \ Mike Keane
1. A good year for Cherrynook Connemaras, what were the highlights?
The main highlights for Cherrynook would have been the 2025 show season to date. We were blessed with some fabulous ponies and a dream-come-true win at Clifden.
2. How many broodmares do you have?
We currently keep up to a half-dozen broodmares: Cregduff Emily (Drumbad Fletcher Moss x Atlantic Tiger); Cherrynook Amber (Shanbo Rory and out of our Cregduff Emily); Donaghpatrick Lua (Rathcoona Lightning x Tulira Robuck); Seafield Blueberry (Erinmore Golden Marble - Kiltullagh Lass); Darla Bloom (Knockferry Cheeky Boots x Coral Prince) and Urrachree Cassie (Rocket Rowley).
We have five foals expected for 2026 by Erinmore Golden Marble, Bohola Mirah, Rogaire Na Locha and New Town Ruben.
3. What’s your template for a Connemara pony?
Cregduff Emily, without a doubt. A true-to-type pony in build, movement, and, of course, temperament.
4. “Fools breed foals for wise men to buy”. Agree/disagree?
With a chuckle… I’d have to both agree and disagree.
5. Prefixes, your views?
Seafield is the original family prefix that my brothers John and Peter still use. Cherrynook is our personal prefix that we adopted after returning to Ireland.
We are big believers in prefixes for several reasons. People tend to have more pride in their livestock when they have a prefix tied to it. You know when you see certain prefixes that the horse or pony coming from that prefix will be of quality.
6. Best advice - horse-related or life in general - you ever got?
It would be from my father, Paddy. He always said: “It’s easier to greet the day and say hello than not to”. I try to always remember this.
7. Social media - a positive or negative in the horse world?
Social media should and can be very positive for many things horse-related. It’s where we can campaign and sell our horses, as well as show the fun and not so fun everyday events that occur.
Sadly, however, social media has become a horrible weapon that is doing far more harm than good in many cases.
8. That famous horse or pony you’d love to have bred?
The Connemara pony Marble.
9. It takes a team, who’s on yours?
Without a doubt, my biggest and best teammate would have to be my wife, Jennifer. She dearly loves the ponies and takes great pride in caring for and handling them each day and making sure that they look their very best when I walk into the showring with them.
10. That bucketlist wish?
To appear in the Dublin main arena with a two-year-old Irish Draught filly.