I WAS born into a family of 16 children in Ballyconneely on the west coast of Connemara. From an early age, Connemara ponies were always part of our lives, whether it was working them on the farm or showing them in Clifden.

This tradition still continues today with my children, nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews continuing to breed and show Connemaras.

My father John always had a passion for breeding Connemara ponies and some of the ponies he bred had a big impact, both in Ireland and around the world. One of these foals was Keehaune Belle who was one of the first ponies exported to Sweden and became a very influential mare over there.

Some of my earliest and fondest memories are walking our ponies to Clifden show day and getting my first winner with my dad’s foal 50 years ago.

1. Congratulations on breeding and owning the Clifden supreme champion Dunloughan Troy. Tell us more about your champion.

I suppose I feel very lucky to have even bred Troy to begin with as I had terrible luck with his mother losing numerous foals. Because of this, I decided to explore doing embryo transfer on his mother Bay Lass.

I got on to my good friend, vet Philip McManus and he put me in touch with Larry Dunne in Wicklow who performed the embryo transfer. 17 years ago, the success rate of embryo transfers was much lower.

Thankfully it all worked out and Troy was born to his surrogate mother.

I believe Troy was one of, if not, the first embryo transfer Connemara ponies to be born in Ireland and the first to win in Clifden. A miracle pony in a way!

2. An easy one after Clifden perhaps but your proudest moment as a breeder?

My proudest moment would have to be this week with Troy winning for his third time in Clifden and going on to win the supreme champion of the show, 50 years after I won my first rosette in Clifden.

This win was made all the more special as my father was a first prize winner at the first show in Roundstone 100 years ago in 1923 with his grandfather’s pony and Troy is bred from this same line of ponies that’s been going for over 100 years.

3. Favourite broodmare?

I’d have to pick two mares for this: Troy’s mother Bay Lass and his grandmother Brown Lady. My brother Malachy bred Bay Lass and gave her to my wife Carol and I as a wedding present when she was a foal.

Bay Lass was always part of the family. Bay Lass’ mother Brown Lady was a two-time winner in Clifden and reserve confined champion. She is also the dam to the stallions Gunsmoke, Dunloughan Scot and Dunloughan Lad (grandsire of European showjumper Cul Ban Mistress).

4. Your template for a Connemara pony?

As a breeder, I try to stay as true to type as possible. I think Troy is a good example of what I look for in a Connemara pony: a good mix of quality and power, and he seems to be passing these traits on to his progeny as well. I also think a strong damline is very important when breeding Connemara ponies.

5. Describe your regime for keeping Connemara ponies.

I keep my ponies outside all year round and feed a small amount of concentrates and hay in the winter. I find the Connemara pony thrives outdoors as it has done for generations in its natural habitat.

Once weaned, foals are housed for a couple of weeks before being outwintered as well.

6. Any horse/pony you would have liked to have bred?

I’m probably being a bit biased here as they are both daughters of Troy but two mares I have really admired in recent years are Bunowen Grey Lass and Silverhill Lass. Bunowen Grey Lass was bred by my brother Noel and owned by my brother Mickey and Silverhill Lass is bred and owned by my brother Tommy. Both mares have had success in the showring and I would have been proud to have bred or owned either of these mares.

7. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Connemara breeders?

I think a major challenge facing Connemara ponies and breeders in recent years is losing its true to type characteristics. In my opinion it’s vitally important that we don’t lose the qualities that have made the Connemara pony such a unique and outstanding breed.

8. Best advice you ever got?

My Dad used to say “Without a struggle there can be no accomplishment”. I think this is very true for breeding Connemara ponies and life in general.

9. Breeding Connemara ponies, would you do it again?

In a heartbeat! Connemara ponies have always been part of my life and I get a lot of enjoyment from spending time with them every day to breeding and showing them. I have met some wonderful people over the years through the Connemara pony.

I have especially been overwhelmed this week by all the well wishes I’ve received from people all over the world.

10. Any other interests outside of Connemara ponies and farming?

My other big passion in life is GAA.

I really had the week of a lifetime this week as, along with winning the championship in Clifden, my daughter Becky captained her club Grainne Mhaols to win the All-Ireland Junior Sevens title.

This trophy now sits proudly beside the Clifden supreme championship trophy at home.