ONE of the country’s stormiest annual general meetings is being held in a new location this year in the hopes that the move may result in a calmer meeting.

In the past tempers have flared, alleged assaults have taken place and Gardai called to AGMs of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society.

Many paid-up members prefer to stay away from the AGM, which has had a knock-on effect for effecting change.

For the first time in years, the AGM is going to be held outside its usual venues of Clifden and Galway in the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, next Sunday, November 9th at 3pm.

The outgoing president is Andy O’Donoghue, who expressed the hope that the new venue might bring about a “change of mindset as well.”

Society PRO John Varley confirmed: “Galway is usually the AGM venue but the Connemara Society is a national organisation as well and the venue of the AGM is moving to Ballinasloe this year.

“We have in the Connemara Pony a wonderful pony and product to promote to the world. We have a product that could be bigger than Kerrygold if we promote and market it properly. But there is no will to do that now within the Society as it stands. I’m the only one on the marketing committee.

“Some snippets of progress have been made in the Society and it’s fair to say we have probably reached a crossroads now. People need to be very careful as to how they use their vote. Over the years, there has been lots of in-fighting and personal battles going on.

“I’m 15 years involved in the Society and people need to take the Society back. Many members won’t go to the AGMs because we’ve had it all – courtcases, gardai called, rows, you name it,’’ said Varley.

“We should facilitate a postal vote with tracking and this would help change the complexion of the Society,’’ said the PRO. “I note that Society was not part of the recent expedition to the China Horse Fair and the International Conference on Riding for the Disabled is in Tokyo shortly. We are not going to be there but we should be. The Connemara Pony would be ideal for this.’

Varley added that the Society needs to urgently address the issue of the hoof wall separation and the blue-eyed pony gene which could both be identified through blood-typing.

“Allowing ordinary members the right to elect the president themselves is another issue that needs to be addressed,’’ said Varley.

Among those going up for election to the council is breeder and manager of the Super Valu shop in Clifden, Bartley Conroy (37).

“I’m putting my name forward for the council as ordinary members have lost their voice and it’s time for a change.

“It’s time for new ideas. There is some good people on the council working for the good of the Connemara Pony, I’m a breeder and want the Society to go forward. Everyone should have an equal say.

“We need an open, transparent Society. There is too much bitterness and hatred in some quarters. We need to work together for the Connemara Pony which should be marketed in a more professional way to reach a broader audience worldwide,’’ said Conroy.