Following the successful introduction of a similar format for eventing sales, the CPESG is planning two selection days in February and March, followed by the sale in late March which will form part of the 2014 Connemara Pony Spring Festival.

It is hoped that 60 ponies will be selected for the sale on March 28th. The ponies will be showcased on-site at Duffy’s Equestrian Centre in Claregalway, Co Galway that day, with the auction taking place that evening in the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway city.

The selection days are scheduled to be held at Athlone Equestrian Centre on Sunday, February 23rd and Sunday, March 2nd. Ponies who qualify for selection may advance to the exhibition sale. The three assessors for the selection days are Ian Fearon, Tom Slattery and Jack Doyle.

All ponies will be required to be turned-out and presented to a high standard, while photographs and videos taken on their selection day will be used for the sales catalogue and promotion.

The sale will officially launch the Connemara Pony Breeders Society’s annual Festival and will be opened by Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall and Marian Harkin MEP.

Ponies may compete in either of four disciplines of riding, show jumping, working hunter and eventing depending on their height. Show jumping is open to ponies of 128cms, 138cms, 148cms and over in height, while the working hunter will cater for ponies of 138cms to 153cms in height.

Only 148cms ponies are eligible for the cross-country/eventing, while the flat ridden is open to ponies aged four years and over.

Riders may select from jump-cross, show jumping and cross-country style courses, or a riding ring.

Ponies will be divided broadly into three age groups for fair and balanced competition, with three-year-old future performance ponies loose jumping fences up to 1m in height. Four-year-old performance ponies will be required to jump between 70cms and 90cms, while five-year-olds and over performance ponies will be asked to jump fences from 90cms in height.

The working hunter pony will need to jump fences and perform simple school exercises.

Full details, including entry forms, are available on cpesg.info or through the Group’s chairman Michael Flanagan on 086-3680885 or bymichaelflanagan88@yahoo.ie