THE 95th annual Connemara Pony Show in Clifden last week brought a welcome multi-million euro boost to the local economy in the west of Ireland town which saw hundreds of internationals visitors flock to see the native breed.

The trade for ponies, both privately and at the two-day Connemara Pony Sales, was booming with many international visitor travelling for the sole purpose of making a purchase.

Annaghdown breeder Declan O’Flynn was overjoyed when his 10-year-old stallion Slackport Prince was crowned the Supreme Champion of the show on Thursday evening and his week improved even further when a home-bred from his Ballylee Stud topped the public sales when making €7,600.

That top price at the Connemara Pony Sales was way up on the same sale 12 months ago (€5,000), however the clearance rate was down slightly to 69% (79% in 2017). As usual, the amount of international buyers was high, with 140 of the 297 sold (47%) heading overseas.

BRITISH PRESENCE

British buyers were out in force, snapping up 33 ponies, while a further 31 went to France, 27 to Germany, 24 to Holland, and positively, the Spanish buyers continue to travel to Clifden and they purchased 19 ponies. Three ponies made their way to Austria and the same number to Sweden.

However, the top lot, Ballylee Copper Boy (Lot 246), was knocked down to an Irish buyer, Eddie Ahern from Co Kildare. The six-year-old Coral Misty Comic-sired gelding was consigned to the sale by Co Kilkenny owner Christina O’Donnell, who rode him to 10th place in Friday’s feature High Performance Final at the Clifden show ground.

Chesnut in colour, which is generally unusual for a Connemara Pony, the 147cm gelding is show jumping at 1.10m level and has accumulated 51 show jumping points under Sarah O’Donnell, and qualified for the Connemara Performance class at the 2018 Dublin Horse Show.

The second highest price of the sale was €6,200, paid for Lot 116, Faye O’Connor’s Castlemore Alex. This over height (160cms) son of Western Boy is bound for overseas as Scottish buyer Ellis Simister had the final say in the ring.

Philip Morgan from Co Cavan paid the highest price for a mare when Lot 80, the six-year-old Ballycarrow Mirahs Sparrow, was knocked down to him at €4,400.

A further 19 ponies sold for prices between €3,500 and €4,500.

PRIVATE SALES

Sale trade was also active ringside at Thursday’s show and one winner making his way to the UK is Cáillín Conneely’s two-year-old colt Gentle Jango (Glencarrig Knight – Gentle Kate), who was bred by John McLoughlin.

Athlone agent PJ Watson had a big presence at the sales but also purchased Padraic Hynes’ home-bred yearling colt Canal Grey, by Innellan Condor, privately after he placed second in the opening class of the day.

Bought in partnership with friend Jonny Stevens, Watson hopes he will have a bright future under saddle.

Click here to read coverage from the 2018 Connemara Pony Show