AshbrookStud.ie - Connemara Pony Stud and Magazine » David McCann

Midlands’ International Conference a Success

Eamonn — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:43:45 +0000

The inaugural ‘Let’s Talk Pony’ conference, organised by the Midland’s group took place before a large audience at the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, today. The seven presentations – ranging over a wide range of topics from hoof care, to breeding, to colour genetics – were uniformly excellent. Nina Gustafsson from Sweden gave the proceedings an international flavour. It was fascinating to hear Nina speak of the early Cloonkeehan Auratum and Carna Dun imports, and the important part that Slieve Dara, Dale Haze, and Oxenholm Marble Jr. played in providing a type corrective.

Stephania Bucca was quite brilliant on reproductive matters, emphasising the importance of using the first foaling heat for maximum fertility. Her own preference was live mating when the mare had a ten-day recovery period. A detailed analysis by David McCann gave food for thought on conformation, and while he started with the head, the organisers wisely started with the foot when farrier Jeremy Stanley left no questions unanswered on the pony’s footcare. And, by the way – he has no problem whatsoever with the white hoof! Wendy Conlon gave a very informative talk on nutrition, emphasising the importance of monitoring the condition of the mare and the avoidance of over feeding (and she never mentioned mangolds!). Barry Leek gave a technical overview of coat colour inheritance, which is always a subject of great interest to breeders of dun ponies. Barry, in fact, came gallantly to the rescue of the organisers at the last minute when Tuula Pyoria found herself ash-bound in Helsinki. Of course the future of the breed is very much in the performance arena, and none better to deal with this than Mary McCann, who spoke in detail of the efforts being made by the RDS to promote the Connemara as a working pony. As an interesting aside, Mary felt that there was a considerable market in half-bred Connemaras as foundation stock for the Irish sport horse of the future.

It was a most informative day, everybody was well fed, and proceedings were conducted in the usual friendly midland’s ambience. John Moran and his team should be well pleased.

Over the course of the coming weeks, we hope to be able to bring to you some interesting articles based on the transcripts of the event. Stay tuned!

International Connemara Pony Conference

Eamonn — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:08:22 +0000

“Let’s Talk Pony”

Cost: €25 per person.
For Booking and Registration Contact:

Eilish Durcan,
Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
086 3116415

Mary Rabbitt,
Monaghanstown Stud, Castletowngeoghegan, Co. Westmeath.
044 9226489

Registration forms on-line here
Or from: P.R.O. Ruth Rodgers
Email: rodgersruth@eircom.net

An International Connemara Pony Conference

On Saturday April 24th 2010
at the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore,
Co Offaly.

9.30am Register / Coffee
9.50am Welcome Address from Mr. John Moran, Chairman of the M.C.P.B.

Morning Session
Chaired by Mr. Eddie Fleming, Former Chairman M.C.P.B.

10.00am Starting On The Right Foot
The latest Shoeing Techniques with Mr.Jeremy Stanley Chairman of the Master Farriers Association.
10.30am The Feeding Regime from Birth to Bridle
Ms. Wendy Conlon Equine Specialist at Teagasc.Athenry.

11.00am Discussion
11.15am Coffee

Mid-Morning Session
Chaired by Mr. Sean Dunne, Former Chairman of the M.C.P.B.

11.40am Breeding the Problem Mare and the Advantages / Disadvantages of Natural Cover, A.I. and F.S.
Ms. Stefania Bucca DV M. Somerton Equine Hospital, Co. Kildare.
12.15am A Global Perspective of the Connemara Pony
Ms. Tuula Pyoria, from Finland Judge and President of the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies

12.40pm Discussion
1.00pm Lunch

Afternoon Session Chaired by Ms. Katie Miller, Chairperson of the Performance Committee

2.00pm The Influence of the Connemara Pony in Sweden from 1968 to 2010
Nina Gustafson. from Lofty Connemara Pony Stud in Sweden and well known International Judge.
2.45pm Producing for Performance
Ms. Mary McCann, Internationally acclaimed as a Judge – Stud Master – Producer of Champion Connemara Ponies, including Ashfield Bobby Sparrow

3.15pm Discussion

What the Inspector Should Look for Through The Eyes of a Vet
Mr.David McCann M.R.C.V.S.

4.15pm Discussion
4.45pm Conference Closes

Pre Booking Essential
For further details & Registration contact:
Seamus Hynds: 086 8305073; seamushynds@yahoo.ie
Ruth Rogers: P.R.O. 087 2540164; rodgersruth@eircom.net
Richard Whelan: 086 2579114; richard.whelan@coillte.ie
Secretary: Mary Rabbitt 044 9226489