After a torrential start to the day, the clouds cleared from the third class onwards at last Sunday’s Roundstone Connemara Pony Show. The show’s 25th year at the Roundstone Showgrounds, it is a venue as picturesque as they come.

Custom built in 2006 by Paddy ‘the Yank’ McDonagh and Pat Mullen, when the show moved from its original location, it has been designed to host pony, cattle and sheep classes. “We actually have the highest number of entries in 10 years,” explained show chairperson Brian Mullen. “It is an agricultural show so there is also great interest in the sheep and cattle classes.”

The pony ring boasts a view of the Atlantic Ocean on two sides as it gently slopes away from the Connemara hillside and provided a magnificent backdrop for judges Claire Oakes and Vincent Holian. The judging pair were kept busy as the show ran to time with the 18 pony classes flowing in and out of the ring in an organised rhythm.

The crowds that gathered ringside was an eclectic mix of familiar faces of pony enthusiasts, including CPBS President Dave Sheedy keen to support the show during the Society’s centenary year, and holiday makers with young families who eagerly pointed to pick their favourites of each class based on the simplicity of personal sentiment towards colour. Inside the ring however the judges carefully examined each pony at length.

The junior classes ran through the morning with yearling filly, colt and two and three-year-old classes preceding the Junior Championship, sponsored by Gurteen Bay Caravan Park.

Grace Maxwell Murphy's Glenville Glic won the Junior Championship at Rounstone Show last Sunday. Pictured: William Mc Mahon, Grace Maxwell Murphy, Pat Mullen and judges Vincent Holian and Claire Oakes \ Rynes Walker

Junior champion

Taking the first of the day’s three championships, and receiving the Pat and Bernie Mullen Family Cup, was Glenville Glic, owned by Grace Maxwell Murphy and shown by her husband William McMahon. The three-year-old colt by Glencarrig Knight out of Clooneybreen Peigin was bred by Francis Murphy and stood Junior Champion ahead of Cathy Snow and Martin Coyne’s home-bred filly of the same age Cornfield Cressida (Tempo Active Atlas - Ardbear Mavis) who took reserve Junior Champion title.

The wins continued into the afternoon for Grace Maxwell Murphy with her six-year-old mare Glencarrig Princess Ella (Glencarrig Knight - Glencarrig Princess) taking the four to six-year-old mare class.

A new class to the Roundstone schedule was the Mini Young Handler class. This addition provides an opportunity for the next generation to get involved in pony showing by offering a starting ground and is considered very important by the organisers. Ann Marie Conroy oversaw the judging of this class where all competitors came away with something, recognising their efforts and aiming to encoure future participation.

The Open Youth Class followed on from this with James Grimes from Ballinrobe winning with An Cheathrú Chaol Bláthnaid (Robe Earl - Lishín Star). The 14-year-old mare was bred by his parents, Tomás and Fiona Grimes, and later went on to stand top of the line in the 13 years and over mare class, this time shown by James’ father, Tomás.

Jane Andrew's Charlesland Champ won the foal championship at Roundstone Pony Show. Pictured with judge Claire Oakes, Peter O Malley, Anthony Rodgers, Jane Andrews and judge Vincent Holian \ Rynes Walker

Foal champion

Two foal classes ran on the day with Marty Keaney’s Murvey Rock of Age, by Rogaire na Locha out of Murvey Rita winning the colt foal class. The Jane Andrews-owned and bred Charlesland Countess (Caronbeg Champ - Rathbane Lady) was expertly shown on the day by Anthony Rodgers with Peter O’Malley handling the mare.

The pair were some of the best presented handlers on the day and their efforts were rewarded as the filly foal went on to win the Foal Championship, sponsored by Elite Rosettes and Trophies. The afternoon classes saw the older ponies present with a consistent standard lining up in the stallion and older mare classes.

The final class for judging was for bay mares two years old and over, which allowed for darker coloured ponies of the breed to be showcased and all the listed entries turned out. The three-year-old Murvey Avril (Blakehill Sparrow - Murvey Cara) won for owner/breeder Bernard Keaney.

A strong Championship class gathered for their chance of the John Luskin Perpetual Cup. With class winners receiving a final thorough inspection from the judges, Glencarrig Douvan was crownedchampion for Patrick Curran from Moycullen. The home-bred five-year-old stallion by their resident sire Glencarrig Knight out of Wyncroft Dawn had earlier won the Stallion class on his first in-hand outing of the summer after a busy covering season and spending time under the saddle with Grace Maxwell Murphy.

Reserve champion was awarded to Aisling Sweeney’s Silverhill Lass (Dunloghan Troy - Heather Star) who had previously won the seven to 12-year-old mare class, shown by her father Tommy.

Annual parade

As the sun reached its peak, the newly crowned champions, winners and ponies that had placed from the previous classes began to meander their way down from the hillside showgrounds to the main street. An iconic moment in the Connemara showing calendar is the procession of winners through the village of Roundstone. “The parade is very important to people, whether they win or lose, they want to parade through the village. It’s very popular and it’s nice for the people on the streets who might not have a connection with the pony,” a tradition that Brian Mullen credits for attracting entrants from outside the county, including Mayo, Roscommon and Laois.

One by one, the competitors and their ponies made their way down the hill, stopping outside O’Dowd’s Bar opposite Roundstone harbour. Here, Paddy McDonagh greeted them individually giving the spectators a summary of their achievements. Then they were on their way as fast as pony and handler can travel up the steadily inclining street.

As the sun shone, tourists and holiday makers lined the village with showgoers juggling camera phones while clapping competitors on. As manes and sashes flew in the breeze, there was a sense of pride as village life paused for a short period to acknowledge the achievements and beauty of these native ponies. While the Connemara pony continues to experience success on the international stage, it is hard to beat experiencing Connemara ponies compete in Connemara.