The performance Connemara Pony at Clifden
Hunter Doughty
DipAppSc, DipEd RiverinaCAE, MAppSc(Agric) CSturt
Industry Qualifications: Level 2 EFA NCAS coach & coach educator
FEI International Candidate Course Designer & Judge
Lecturer in Animal Science
Course coordinator Bachelor of Equine Science
Charles Sturt University – Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Hunter is the course coordinator of the Equine Science programme and teaches a number of subjects in the course. He is an experienced equestrian competitor and an active member of a number of state and national equestrian bodies. He is a level 2 EFA NCAS coach and coach educator and is a NSW Institute of sport regional equestrian coach. Hunter competes, coaches and officiates at a local and international level as a technical delegate, an FEI International Candidate Course Designer and Judge.
Recognising what the rest of the world identifies as the Connemara Pony’s greatest talent.
Often breed societies founded on type are criticised for lack of change and not promoting modern “functional conformation”, so it was particularly refreshing to see the emergence of a class for jumping talent identification at one of the worlds most prestigious pony shows.
The free jumping competition – well sponsored by Diamond’s of Renvyle – had a stand out winner, making the task of the astute judge Tom O’Dwyer relatively straight forward. The winner, Grange Bobby Sparrow, not only possesses a great jumping talent, but the 3 year-old was also handled and presented to perfection. In line with a true performance class, the winner entered the arena as a performance horse well schooled, in working condition, and handled in a fashion allowing him to exhibit the full athletic ability his heritage has provided. Grange Bobby Sparrow was not rushed or chased through the jumping grid but rather allowed to take the time to measure the task and demonstrate his ability, with a particularly tight front, a soft round shape over the fence – finished with a back end to die for. He set the standard not only in ability but presentation and preparation. The general standard of presentation for the lead classes traditionally held at Clifden is second to none; the trade of presenting a horse at its best in-hand is well practiced and seems to be second nature to most. The free jumping however is a relatively new class and there is a range of presentations, from the likes of Grange Bobby Sparrow spiralling to some enthusiastic less polished newcomers. I am sure that as time progresses all performance exhibitors will be equally experienced and the competition will be down to the ponies alone and the breed will truly benefit. The level of spectator interest in this class I hope will encourage the organising committee to develop some more performance friendly areas. I managed to secure a spot on top of a gate post to watch the event but many others were not so fortunate and had very poor viewing. I had the feeling that the success of the event took the show by surprise and that they were not quite ready for the spectator enthusiasm , I am sure they will be ready next year.
I had been told in Australia prior to my visit that “Clifden was the home of lead ponies and, while they were quality well bred ponies, no-one rides them and they don’t really do anything with them”. I now know the truth! The Friday afternoon Puissance Showjumping was pure genius on the show committee’s behalf. A huge crowd settled to watch the ultimate test of pure jumping scope. Spectators were treated to an epic struggle between a professionally turned out grey and a young lady riding with pure ambition and enthusiasm. The wall peaked at 140cm after five rounds, the grey jumped with style and scope demonstrating professional training and riding, many were discounting the other combination at this height. However, in true Connemara fashion, the heart and raw talent of a very inexperienced combination won the hearts of all when they scraped over the wall to settle the account to finish equal first. A fantastic result and show case for the breed.
The puissance followed a day of Working Hunter classes that included some natural obstacles that many combinations did not jump so naturally. There was an excitement to see just how talented the Connemara ponies really are. The course designer had worked tirelessly to fashion a course to showcase the jumping abilities of the ponies. As a cross country and showjumping course designer in Australia I was very interested to see how the ponies handled the challenges presented. Unfortunately many of the combinations came up short on training and experience, hesitating at the technical difficulty of a curved related line to a “narrow style” through the arena fence followed by another related line to a drop off a creatively designed bank. However, the riders will now know what to expect and I am sure will rise to meet the challenges of the future.
The Clifden show committee is to be heralded for taking the step – should I say ‘Jump’? – to include performances classes and establish a show case where the best of pedigree and type share their stage with the performance campions of the future for the world to come to admire and maybe acquire.
Congratulations on a standard setting first year to all at ashbrook.ie!! Wish I had some time for my own long neglected website :-))
Hunter Doughty’s article summarizes expertly what is so refreshing different about “Clifden” thesedays. It does not seem so far away from those early beginnings of i.e. Bullaun’s Connemara-Pony-Performance Show and -as Mr Doughty pointed out- there is definetely more development to be expected. But to see working ponies at prime time in Clifden means that breeders and performers have come together to celebrate what they have in common: A simply wonderful and versatile animal.
What sounds so natural has been in fact a very big jump to take. So thanks to all who have been working on that!
Keep on going!!
Congrats again and all the best from Sabine and the gang
Mr. Doughty, your comments were really appreciated on the performance and presentation of Grange Bobby Sparrow. He is currently broken and performing well under saddle. One can view him at our website huntstownstud.com and congratulations to Ashbrookstud.ie on their first year online.
Thanks again, Michael.