LAST weekend, the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society held a successful Spring Festival. On Friday night, there was an open discussion on the pony, with Padraig Heanue talking about the market and the associated costs of producing a pony. Malachy Gorman spoke on the importance of type and breeding quality ponies. Jimmy Canavan said he believed the greater equestrian community required a minister of state to promote the Connemara pony and the Irish Horse. Pauline Dahill addressed the meeting regarding the performance pony and competing the Connemara Pony. Cait Hennessy explained the SNP process and the passport process and the outlook going forward.

Early on Saturday, there was a demonstration by the highly regarded Denise Norton, who explained the linear profiling system, used by the Society for the inspection of the ponies being classified and how the marks awarded are calculated.