AS the technicality of Friday’s jumping increased at the Connemara Pony Show, Kilmurray Cain (Hector Of Loughfadda - Duncan’s Dream) is a perfect example of the career progression the Green Hunter process can offer ponies. Having won the Green Hunter Final in 2025, the dun stallion has continued his development with owner and rider Sophie Mullane. This year, they stepped up and qualified for the High Performance.

The summer has seen the pair successfully qualify for the younger section of the Connemara Performance Hunter at the Dublin Horse Show. Seeing off competition from the other 27 High Performance finalists, the stallion added his second Clifden sash to his resume in 12 months on the Showgrounds when winning Friday’s final.

Despite the level of interest in the evening’s Aloga Equestrian Puissance class, combination after combination failed to clear the red brick wall when it stood 1.22m in the first round. As questions began around the ring as to whether the direction it was being jumped was influencing its jumpability, Amelia Durkan remained calm and collected aboard Trapper Lad (Robe Earl x Britney) to sail over the wall. The seven-year-old grey, bred by Michael Gibbons, was awarded the Bobby Sparrow Blue Perpetual Trophy and €1,000 in prize money.

Parade of champions

As the crowds of show goers, locals and visitors lined the streets to cheer this year’s Champions and prize winners, every rosette and sash symbolised the quiet dedication and enduring hard work competitors put in behind the scenes. This collective celebration remains integral to an event dedicated to the native breed, both to celebrate the pony in the centre of its region of origin and to acknowledge the consistency that goes in to developing these ponies.

The parade acts to inspire those from both Connemara and abroad as the Connemara Pony brings people together in their passion and love for the breed.

The Connemara Pony Show Clifden committee extended heartfelt thanks to the judges, stewards, volunteers, sponsors, grounds team, competitors and local community for their participation and support of this year’s event. The week’s events have expanded and developed since last year, with the support of every single volunteer who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes.