THE Dublin-Clifden double act is a must for many Connemara fans and Kate Denton has travelled over from South Carolina for the past 10 years to attend both shows. “It’s my annual holiday! My husband stays home and takes care of our Connemara ponies, including my five-year-old, Gentle Cailin. I bought her from the late John McLoughlin, he was a gentleman and all his ponies had the Gentle prefix,” said Kate, while waiting for the parade of champions through the streets of Clifden.

“I’ve never had trouble selling mine but then I’m so picky and I know where every one of them is. Some are in Vermont, Pennsylvania, Florida, all over the place.