KICKING off the competitive schedule at the 101st Connemara Pony Show in Clifden on Tuesday, the first Champion of the week came following the All-Ireland Three-Year-Old Loose Jumping Final, in association with Horse Sport Ireland. Brian Morgan’s Cavan Playboy (Banks Timber x Derrylough Beauty) saw off competition from the qualified finalists to stand top of the line.

“I bought him as a foal from the Clifden Sales,” Morgan explained of the James Heanue-bred colt. “I liked him when I saw him and I am glad he has lived up to his potential.” Morgan’s hope is for the pony to go on under saddle and continue to develop his jumping abilities.

Entries for Thursday’s ridden classes continue to increase year on year, marking the health and interest of the Connemara pony with competitors travelling from all over Ireland. With both rings used across the morning, Vanessa Clark and Hubert Laurent judged the younger rider sections in Ring Two, while Chris Patrick and Ann Nicholls worked their way through the younger ponies, older riders, stallions and side saddle classes.

Coming together in Ring One for the afternoon’s Ridden Championship, the four judges collectively commented on the excellent standard of ponies and riders they had seen throughout the day. Adding her fourth Connemara Pony Show Ridden Championship to her ever-growing list of achievements, Grace Maxwell Murphy was called forward on her own stallion Glenville Glic (Glencarrig Knight x Clooneybreen Peigin).

Having successfully defended his 2025 win of the Weatherbys Scientific-sponsored four- to six-year-old stallion class in-hand on Wednesday, his participation in the Ridden Stallion class marked the pony’s debut under saddle at the Clifden Showgrounds. For Grace, she makes it back-to-back Championship wins having claimed the title 12 months ago with Glencarrig Douvan.

“When you are doing in-hand and ridden, you are always looking for the pony that can do both,” Grace said, explaining how she had found the Francis Murphy-bred pony as a foal on Done Deal. “For him to win in-hand on Wednesday and then win under saddle and a different set of judges the following day, it’s just magical and a testimony to the pony that he is.”

The pair have enjoyed a phenomenal season, having already booked two Horse of the Year Show tickets. Having witnessed the pony Glic has developed into, Grace has since purchased his mother Clooneybreen Peigin, who has now joined the ponies at Gleann Rua Stud.

Taking the win in the hotly-contested four- and five-year-old ridden class, Chloe Lacey’s precision and poise in the ring with the eye-catching dappled grey gelding Ballylee Lemon (Slackport Prince - Lemonfield Lass) was awarded the Reserve sash in the Ridden Championship. The now five-year-old, bred by Declan O’Flynn, was bought last year by Emma O’Gorman Wall and Chloe continued to produce him this season.

“Next year, he will begin his career with his junior rider,” Chloe explained, as she sat with Lucinda Kelly during the live podcast recording at the Station House Theatre. “I love anything by Slackport Prince and he has given me some incredible days, so we are excited for him to compete in a new section next year with his new rider.”