NORMA Cook of Blessington, Co Wicklow, proudly shared this picture of her adorable Kerry Bog Pony foal, understood to be the first of its breed born this year. Norma has a small herd of Kerry Bog Ponies, including two stallions, three mares and a gelding. Her lovely new foal is by her newly registered stallion Shroughan Smarty, a diminutive 111cm by Silver Bog Smarty out of Shroughan Siog (by King of the Fairies). King of the Fairies was Norma’s original stallion, who she trained for carriage driving and with whom she had many successes. According to Norma, Kerry Bog Ponies are ideal for driving or for lead-rein riding and thrive in their natural habitat on the side of a mountain.

“They are very rare, there would be 400 at the most in Ireland, and they have been recognised by the Department of Agriculture now as a rare native breed,” she said.