VISITORS to the town of Clifden got a welcome surprise, as they enjoyed a sunny evening in the town square, when the official launch of the 101st Connemara Pony Show Clifden took place with the presence of three beautiful Connemara ponies.

The launch was officially opened by Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Andrew Reddington, who acknowledged the enduring importance of the Connemara Pony Show to the region’s heritage, tourism and rural economy. Welcoming guests on behalf of the Show Committee, Karen Mannion said the Connemara Pony Show has been at the heart of the community for 101 years. “The Connemara Pony Show is a celebration of our heritage, our culture, our people and the remarkable Connemara Pony,” she said. “It belongs to the people of Connemara and every volunteer, sponsor, exhibitor and visitor plays a part in ensuring this wonderful tradition continues to flourish for future generations.”

Clare Oakes has been appointed Show Chair for the 2026 Connemara Pony Show. Among those attending the launch were Denis Duggan, Chief Executive of Horse Sport Ireland; Nadia Rea of the Irish Horse Board; the newly-appointed President of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society Kevin Bolger, together with CPBS Council members Ann Marie Conroy, Gearóid Curran and Kathleen Keaney-Conroy, along with representatives from local organisations, businesses and community groups.Addressing those gathered, Denis Duggan reaffirmed Horse Sport Ireland’s commitment to supporting Ireland’s premier native pony show. Horse Sport Ireland, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has increased its support for the 2026 Connemara Pony Show with an additional €5,000 in prize funding, bringing its total investment in this year’s Show to €15,000.

Karen Mannion welcomed the continued support from Horse Sport Ireland, describing it as “a testament to the level of entries, community involvement and participation” that continues to make the Connemara Pony Show one of the country’s most prestigious equestrian events. The launch also celebrated some of the outstanding champions from the 2025 Show, with several past winners proudly attending the evening. Among them were Glencarrig Douvan, the 2025 Supreme and Ridden Champion, presented in-hand by owner and breeder Patrick Curran. Running from August 18th-21st, the 101st Connemara Pony Show will once again transform Clifden into the international home of the Connemara Pony, welcoming competitors and visitors from Ireland and abroad for the world’s largest display of Connemara ponies.