The reason given by the HSI Selection Committee for this step – taken as it was at such a late stage – was for animal welfare reasons due to an indication of blood Anaemia in Darkie.

It is a huge blow for both the Briscoe and Duffy families and their supporters, many of whom had already made travel arrangements to the Championships. It will prove particularly hard on the young Michael Duffy who was looking to build on his pony’s track record of previous Bronze and Silver sucess at the Europeans. We can only hope that both pony and rider come back stronger than ever from this set-back.

The highlights of his first big year back in 2003 included: First Place in the National Championships (held at the European Championships event at Necarne Castle, N.Ireland) and Second Place in the RDS 148cm ‘A’ All-Ireland Championship. Other domestic results included Grand Prix wins at Cavan, Kells, Mullingar, Killossery, Newbridge and the Kill International Show to name but a few. In their first international outing against the best ponies in Europe the pair came First in the Gazette de Liege Trophy in Liege, Belgium.

In 2004, with Benny Kuehnle as pilot, Sillogue Darkie came back and won the 148cm ‘A’ All-Ireland Championship at the RDS, a famous double was achieved one week later when they were placed First in the Millstreet Grand Prix. Finishing Second in the Pony Super League at Belfast International Show, the treble of Dublin, Cork and Belfast was narrowly denied by less than a second. Abroad they were also victorious, finishing First in the English Home Pony International Grand Prix. At the famous Arezzo venue in Tuscany, Northern Italy, the pair won the Nations Cup with the Irish team, incredibly with no discard score as only three ponies were available to compete. At the same venue they also placed Fourth in the Grand Prix.

In 2005, and this time pairing with David Blake, the winning form continued. The pair took part in the Irish victory at the Coupe des Nations in Fontainebleau, France and placed Third in the CSIOP Grand Prix at the same venue. Among their notable other achievements for 2005 was winning the Wales & West Home Counties International, being placed First again in Millstreet, third in the 148cm ‘A’ All-Ireland Championship at the RDS and competing with the Irish show-jumping team that placed Second at Verona, Italy in the Nations Cup.

Success in the 2006 and 2007 seasons were curtailed by a viral illness. However, despite this, Darkie still managed to participate (with David Blake) at the European Championships, in Saumur, France. In 2007, under Galway native Jessica Burke, Sillogue Darkie went on to win a bronze medal with the Irish team at the European Championships in Freudenberg, Germany.

In 2008, and again with Jessica Burke, Sillogue Darkie dominated the Irish Premier Pony League, finishing far ahead of their nearest rivals with Grand Prix wins at Louth County Show, Ballymena and Mullingar. In addition to being the Leading Pony of the Year the highlight for the Briscoe family was their Darkie being selected by the Council of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society to become a member of the Connemara Pony Hall of Fame.

With new rider Micheal Duffy on board in 2009, the Connemara gelding started the season by coming Third in the Louth County Show and then winning the RDS Qualifier at Cavan Equestrian Centre. One week later at the European Trials in Barnadown the pair incredibly achieved three days of clear rounds at the highest International standards. This was followed by finishing joint second as part of the Irish Team in the Nations Cup in Wierden, Holland. Keeping this form at the CSIP Grand Prix in Neeroeteren, Belgium Darkie finished Second, narrowly edged out of victory by just 0.77 of a second.

The undoubted highlight was playing a key role in the Irish team bringing home the Silver medals from the European Championships in Moorsele, Belgium last summer and then finishing Seventh in the Individual European Championship Competition. In addition this famous Connemara was the recipient of the Horse Sport Ireland sponsored Overall Leading Premier League Pony in 2009 for the second consecutive season.

This pony has already won the Silver and Bronze at European level – we can only wait in anticipation for the complete set, when Sillogue Darkie is finally crowned with the Individual Gold medal he truly deserves. Congratulations, well done, and best wishes for the future to Darkie and the Briscoe family!

CSIP Neeroeteren 1m30 GP

1. Kalim De Montlieu; Emma O’Dwyer (IRL)
   Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 31.99
2. Sillogue Darkie (CP); Michael Duffy (IRL)
   Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 32.76
3. Spirt; Kevin Jochems (NED)
   Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 33.32

Held at the prestigious Neeroeteren venue on the Belgium/Netherlands border Eamon Briscoe’s gelding, up against 31 International class ponies, jumped a double clear only to be pipped by the fourteen year old Emma O’Dwyer from Kilkenny on Kalim De Montlieu. Both riders were members of the Irish European Silver Medal-winning team in August’s European Championships at Moorsele in Belgium.

(It must also be noted that Michael – named Galway Sportsperson of the Year last week – went on to seize another silver from the Junior Grand Prix, finishing the 1m40 course on the family bred Killard Horizon in a time of 41.36 as well as being runner up in the Two Phase class on Friday.)

This is yet another triumph claimed by Sillogue Darkie (G-16356), who has Individual, Nations Cup and Grand Prix wins to his credit from up and down this country as well as Belgium, Italy, France, England and Holland. Sired by Ard Talisman (S-897) out of Coillchru Esmerelda (M-7896), this 13 year old is entirely owned, bred and trained by the Briscoe family and is a huge credit to them and to his breed. We hope to be hearing more of his exploits soon as we understand he competes again very shortly. Well done to all concerned.

Here is a YouTube video of Darkie in action, uploaded by user Briccies01 (with a ‘refreshing’ rock soundtrack, so if you are at work – you have been warned!).

Paddy Folan stood his first Society Stallion in 1970, when he kept Clonjoy (S.B. #117) at Knockadave, Camus. In ’71 he took Rebel Wind (S.B. #127) for three years. In ’74 he stood his favourite Killyreagh Kim (S.B. #308) and in ’77 Skyrne BrightCloud (S.B. #622) replaced Kim, but only stayed for one year. Paddy took Ardnasilagh Casey (S.B. #654) in 1978, Sarsfield (S.B. #579) in ’79 and ’80, Ormond Oliver (S.B. #653) from ’81 to ’86. Paddy then moved to live in nearby Rosmuc, where he stood his last stallion Smokey Duncan (S.B. #871).

The photo shows Beatrice Maxwell Murphy with Glenrua Maxwell in 1998.

Currachmore is King!

There was a certain inevitablity about the crowning of Curraghmore Cashel as Clifden Champion ’09 when he won the Stallion Class and followed it with the Progeny Class. He was on a roll as he took the Visitor Championship and duly finished off with the Supreme Championship to popular acclaim. He had come close before, as had Eamonn Burke’s other ‘great’ Cloonisle Cashel. Joe, as always, showed him to perfection. If Curraghmore is King, he has a worthy Queen in April Rose, who took her class and the Confined Championship as well. Gearoid Curran’s Rose (out of Errisbeg Dolly) is an exceptionally well-made brood mare. It was a good day in general for Errisbeg Dolly’s family, with her grandchildren both winning two year old class, filly and colt, with Letterdyfe RíRá and Glencarraig Rosemarie respectively. Rírá went on to take the Junior Championship.

The Parade of Champions through the town was a nice touch, and saved the day for the driving ponies, whose obstacle course in Ring Two had to be abandoned due to the conditions of the ground. The group of drivers continues to grow with two newcomers this year. Cameras clicked furiously as the ponies made their way through the streets in the sunshine. There was a time when ponies did it daily, without a camera in sight! Ach tá na laethanta sin caite, agus ní dochar ar bith é!

The Working Hunter competitions started the long day of Performance activities on Friday morning at 10am. The course was well planned and imaginative, with a bank that materialised overnight. Many of the ponies had a problem for some reason with a narrow gate that shouldn’t cost a thought to a hunting pony. Maybe the riders needed to picture themselves actually hunting and just go for it! The Musical Dressage Ride was remarkable, simply for having taken place at all. Congratulations to all concerned. They will hardly perform in more testing conditions again, but it certainly highlighted the temperament and wonderul balance of the ponies. This troupe, under Vida Tansey’s guidance, put in a huge effort year after year.

The Ashbrook Stud Award for Sheer Pluck simply had to go the indomitable Deirdre Fitzpatrick (who finished third) who was bumped off her mount – 12y.o Gelding Chester – not once, but twice after having gone through the finish line… and came back each time undaunted.

The Puissance competition probably drew as good an audience as either of the showing rings had done on Thursday and provided an exciting finale to the week’s events. Bobby Sparrow Blue, a 15y.o. Stallion and Glenford Scot, a 7y.o. Gelding shared the top spot after five exhilirating rounds and reaching some 1m45 in height. Some younger ponies were possibly overfaced and a case could be made for limiting the lower ages. This competition is surely here to stay. It was good to see serious ponies being asked serious questions and answering them in some style.

For many people, the highlight of the week was the sight of Molly and Darkie comming home to Connemara to celebrate with their own, having conquered Europe. The Richardsons, McCormacks, Briscoes and all the connections were bursting with pride as the ponies paraded around the ring to sustained applause. Many were close to tears. It was good to be there on a special day. Not since Ashfield Bobby Sparrow won gold in Soder, Germany in 1980 have we had such excitement. But, after the Moorselle exploits, a triumphant Dublin, and a fabulous and innovative Clifden, 2009 must rank as the best year ever for the Connemara. It is almost (but not quite yet!) a hundred years since Michael O Malley undertook his epic journey from RosMuc to Olympia with Irish Dragoon and Eileen Alanna in order to put Connemara ponies on the map. They are certainly on it now. Lets keep them there!

SILLOGUE DARKIE. G16356. 1996.
Sire: Ard Talisman. S897.
Dam: Coillchru Esmerelda. M7896.
Breeder/Owner: Eamonn Briscoe.
Rider: Michael Duffy.

Sillogue Darkie has represented Ireland individually and on teams in Belgium, Italy, France, England, Holland and Germany. Last year he won the Premier pony league with Jessica Burke, and is leading the league this year with Michael Duffy. He has qualified for the 148A class at the RDS yet again, as well as the European Pony Championships.

BALLYOWEN MAYBELL MOLLY. M16356. 2002.
Sire: Monaghanstown Fred. S922.
Dam: Ballyowen Bonny Bell. M12139.
Breeder: John and Jenny Richardson.
Owner: Anthony McCormack.
Rider: Kelly Allen.

Ballyowen Maybell Molly upgraded to A this year, and won the 6/7yr old Championship at Fontainebleu. She qualified for the 148A class at the RDS, and the Starfinder at Banteer.

Best of luck to all the Connemaras, nearly 20 in all, that are jumping in Moorselle making the Connemara’s the most conspicuous breed at the Championships.

Thanks again to Ann Reade for the above details.