It is a question often asked when breeders meet this time of year. The day the foal is weaned is the most important day of its life. How it’s done – sensitively, roughly, gradually – will determine the foal’s trust in, and relationship with, humans for years after. They download a great deal of info on that stressful day.

One way or another, with as many as 3000 foals on the ground this year, there will be a lot of broken little hearts about for the next few weeks. Many of them will be included in the 2000+ ponies – of all ages – that will come on the market at Clifden, Maam Cross and Ballinasloe in the next fortnight. It is likely that at least 60% of those will change hands, as depressed prices continue, was there ever a better time to buy?

1. Western Easter (M19224)
2. Kilpatrick Cailin (M18855)
3. Shanna Larry (S3792)

Stay tuned for more results to follow later!!

Connemara Pony stallion Menlo Boy won the 1.10m in the 148cm Open Championship at the Loughrea Agricultural Show against a big field of over twenty-five contestants, with two clear rounds before a jump off against the clock – beating off Dublin qualifier My Dancer and a host of other top circuit performers.

This was Menlo Boy’s third big win this season, with wins at Headford Puissance and Louisberg Open Championship. He is owned by Diamond’s Equestrian Centre in Renvyle, Connemara.

The winner of the Supreme Championship at Rouundstone Connemara Pony Show (held on the 10th of July) - Moorland Snowy River. Photo: Ruth Rogers

Yearling filly

1. Caroline Lydon’s Noinin Cashel, by Currachmore Cashel-Silver Pearl
2. Liam Walsh’s Leevilla Lucy, by Glencarrig Lexus-Villa Star
3. Bartley Conroy’s Emlaughmore Beauty, by Callowfeenish Grey-Glencarrig Tina

Yearling colt

1. Martin Keaney’s Sweet Joker, by Castleside Carrig-Sweet Ferdia
2. Thomas Keaney’s Murvey Paddy, by Dooneen Just Joey-Murvey Cara
3. Kieran McGrath’s Halelrock Mandate, by Currachmore Cashel-Hazelrock Rua

Two year-old filly

1. Declan O’Flynn’s Cool Secret, by Coill Rua Champ-Secret Pal
2. Caroline Lydon’s Golden Mariah, by Lenagh Lad-Scully
3. Padriag Folan’s Cloverhill Princess Jade, by Janus-My Sweet Princess

Three year-old filly

1. Seamus Keady’s Shanna Rose, by Janus-Gleann Rua Sea Mist
2. Sinead Lusby McGrath’s Lucky April, by Smokey Idea-Lucky Hazel
3. Peter & Bridget Lee’s Kilmurray Heather, by Hector of Loughfadda-Oorid Olwyn

Two & three year-old colts

1. Padraic Folan’s Teach Mor Knight, by Castle Knight-Lishmar Lady Donna
2. Mairtin Nee’s Doonreaghan Marty, by Coolilaun Cushlawn-Doonreaghan Star
3. Pat & Mary Rabbitt’s Monaghanstown Barney, by Linsfort Barney-Monaghanstown Queen

Junior Championship

• Champion: Declan O’Flynn’s Cool Secret, by Coill Rua Champ-Secret Pal
• Reserve: Padraic Folan’s Teach Mor Knight, by Castle Knight-Lishmar Lady Donna

Open Youth Class

1. Brian Keaney, Murvey, Roundstone
2. Maeve Conneely, Errislannon, Clifden
3. Darwyn O’Halloran, Moyard, Galway

Filly foal

1. Feichin & Kerry King’s Bunowen Castle Lady Holly, by Dunloughan Troy-Bunowen Castle Lady
2. Thomas Conneely’s Errisbeg Wild Heather, by Errismore Rocky-Errisbeg Heather
3. Damien Gorham’s by Currachmore Cashel-April Dawn Lady

Colt foal

1. Declan O’Flynn’s Ballylea Coill Champ, by Coill Champ -Woodbrook Lady
2. Gerry King’s Ballyfadda Tyson, by Dunloughan Troy-Cashelbay Heather
3. Michael Naughton’s Mountainview Frank, by Dooneen Just Joey-Glencarrig Roisin

Foal Championship

• Champion: Declan O’Flynn’s Ballylea Coill Champ, by Coill Champ-Woodbrook Lady
• Reserve: Feichin & Kerry King’s Bunowen Castle Lady Holly, by Dunloughan Troy-Bunowen Castle Lady

R.D.S Championship Qualifiers

• Pat O’Neill’s Illaunurra Heather, by Silver Shadow-Illaunurra Mist with foal Illanurra Bay, by Castleside JJ Junior
• Michael Naughton’s Glencarrig Roisin, by Castlestrange Fionn-April Rose with foal by Dooneen Just Joey

Stallion four year-old and over

1. Cathy Snow Coyne’s Moorland Snowy River, by Laerkens Cascade Dawn-Easter Trixie
2. Eamon Burke’s Coolillaun Cushlawn, by Currachmore Cashel-Glencarrig Aisling
3. Padraic & Nicola Heanue’s Moyvoon Star, by Abbeyleix Owen Moyvoon Lady

Mares four to six years old with or without foal

1. Caillin Conneely’s Glencarrig Rose Marie, by Glencarrig Prince-April Rose
2. Alaoise Halpin’s Roundstone Philomena, by Coral Dun-Roundstone Mary
3. Sean Faherty’s Inverin Mist, by Frederiksminde Hazy Match-Inverin Lady

Mares seven to twelve years old with or without foal

1. Padraic & Nicola Heanue’s Glencarrig Kim, by Castlestrange Fionn-Glencroft Amy
2. Sinead Lusby McGrath’s Lucky Secret, by Tulira Robuck-Lucky Mavourneen
3. Caroline Lydon’s Dancing Maggie, by Corncullen Silver Belle-Blathin

Mares thirteen years-old and over with or without foal

1. Jane Andrews’s Coral Misty Jane, by Cloonisle Cashel-Coral Misty
2. Marcella & John O’Halloran’s Monaghanstown Tara, by Monaghanstown Fred-Tara
3. Tom Burke’s Misty, by Carraroe Handy Andy-Bright Star

Geldings

1. Alice Garvey’s Black Boy, by Libero Justice-Hazy Lady

Bay Mare two year-old and over with or without foal

1. Declan O’Flynn’s Woodbrook Lady, by Tynagh Miller-Mayfly Lady
2. Peter Molloy’s Dooneen Starlight, by Silver Shadow-Dooneen Castle
3. Pat O’Neill’s Illaunurra Heather, by Silver Shadow-Illaunurra Mist

Supreme Championship

• Champion: Cathy Snow Coyne’s Moorland Snowy River, by Laerkens Cascade Dawn-Easter Trixie
• Reserve: Jane Andrews’s Coral Misty Jane, by Cloonisle Cashel-Coral Misty