History of the Connemara Pony

The story of the Connemara begins thousands of years ago, even before Celtic horsemen throughout western Europe battled the ancient Romans. Celtic horses that had escaped from captivity ended up living wild in the rugged Irish countryside, where they became even more hardy and surefooted than their domestic ancestors.

Later in history, when Irish farmers needed horses to till the stony ground for crops, they relied on the wild ponies from the mountains. Poor and with many mouths to feed, farmers typically captured and tamed mares, who could provide them a foal to sell each year. Mares were bred to native stallions and worked during their pregnancies, right up until foaling time.

By the 1920s, the Connemara Pony had become a distinct breed in need of preservation. As mechanized vehicles replaced horses on farms, their jobs became obsolete, but those who loved them did not want to see the breed fade into oblivion.

In 1923, pony breeders in Ireland’s Galway County formed the Connemara Pony Breeders Society and began holding inspections to select the best ponies from the existing population for entry into the first volume of the breed’s studbook.

A year later, the first Connemara Pony Show was held in the town of Clifden in County Galway. Now called the Connemara Pony Festival, it still takes place in Clifden every August.

Over time, horsemen around the world learned about the Connemara Pony, and the breed was exported to various countries. In 1956, the American Connemara Pony Society (ACPS) was formed to promote the breed in the U.S.

Show Pony

When you see a Connemara Pony that has been impeccably turned out for the show ring, it can be hard to believe this once was a wild breed. But the same versatile, athletic nature that helped these ponies survive in the wild is what makes them winners in today’s show ring.

Connemaras around the world compete in a wide variety of events, but according to the ACPS, the largest number of competitive Connemaras and half-bred Connemaras are in the eventing world. This is because Connemaras love to jump. Not surprisingly, they also do well in show jumping and the hunters.

Dressage is another popular sport for Connemaras because not only are they athletic, but they are also trainable, sound and easy to work with. And while they may not exhibit the huge gaits seen in warmbloods, a few Connemaras are competing at the FEI (international) levels in dressage.

Connemaras are good all-rounders, and the same pony can be a kid’s mount for Pony Club and trail horse for their parent. The breed’s good temperament also makes these ponies great candidates for therapeutic riding, older adults and beginning riders.

Connemara Ponies in America

Connemara Ponies have been popular in the U.S. for decades. The APCS currently has about 5,000 purebred Connemara Ponies registered, and runs a half-Connemara registry for horses that have at least one registered, purebred Connemara as a parent.

The APCS also recently started a Connemara Sport Horse registry for horses that are no less than one-quarter Connemara; at least one parent must be a registered half-bred Connemara. Including Connemara blood in upper-level sport horses has proven beneficial because the Connemara brings common sense and hardiness to these highly competitive mounts.

Of course, the Connemara Pony is not only about competition. The APCS has created an awards program called Fun with Pony, which rewards non-competitive owners and riders for sharing their stories of fun activities they’ve done through the year with their ponies.

In keeping with Irish tradition, Connemaras in America are inspected to help maintain quality in the breed. A national inspection program provides feedback to breeders and owners about Connemara conformation, temperament and type, with the goal of preserving the most desired traits in the breed.

The Connemara Pony is the only equine native to Ireland and maintains a legacy that is truly unique in the horse world. This ancient breed will continue to win the hearts of all who know them, as it has for centuries.

This article about the Connemara Pony appeared in the June 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Connemara Pony appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In 1861, a show class at the Orton Agricultural Exhibition was for “the best Fell Pony of any age.” During that time, record-keeping of breedings began, and Fell ponies were registered in the Polo and Riding Pony Stud Book in 1898.

But it wasn’t until 1922 that the Fell Pony Society (FPS) was organized in the United Kingdom, not to improve, but to keep pure the breed of pony that helped shape its homeland.

Today’s Fell Pony is as sturdy and even-tempered as its ancestors, though it has gotten larger in height over the centuries to suit more uses, including as an adult riding pony. They now stand between 13 and 14 hands. Black is the predominant color, although bay, brown and gray are also seen. While most are solid, they can have minimal white markings, such as a star or socks on the hind pasterns.

Celebrating the Centennial

In 2022, the FPS celebrated 100 years of the breed with a fun competition for Fell owners. Fell Pony owners around the world participated in the 100 Mile Challenge, where owners were encouraged to ride, drive, lead or otherwise log miles with their ponies to reach the 100-mile mark. Commemorative T-shirts were included, and for those that reach the mark, a special rosette to signify the accomplishment was furnished as well.

At the Royal Windsor Horse Show, held each year in May, well-known Fell Pony fan Queen Elizabeth II asked for 20 to 30 Fells to be in attendance. The Queen has been the patron of the Fell Pony Society since 1982. At the show, the FPS presented her with special gifts marking the 100 years. The FPS also held a range of events, including a Centenary Ball.

The Rare Breed of the Fell Pony

Despite their royal ties, Fell Ponies are listed as threatened by the Livestock Conservancy. The breed did not come to North America until approximately 1999, and now has around 800 horses registered. The Fell Pony Society of North America (FPSNA) is a member club for U.S. owners, but does not register horses. All Fells are registered with the UK registry.

“There are very few consistent breeders here, and fewer yet that show regularly,” says Melissa Kreuzer, chairperson and Zone 3 representative for the FPSNA. “This was different a decade ago, but some of the breeders have gotten older since I started. Virtually no breeders, besides myself, show their ponies now.”

Kreuzer has shown her own Fells in a number of disciplines. She was the 2009 U.S. Dressage Federation All Breeds Award Winner. She has won the FPSNA PPA Supreme Champion three times, with three different horses: Stennerskeugh Danny Boy (2016), DreamHayven Avalon Mist (2020) and Grace II (2021). Her stallion Littletree Bodini is a six-time FPSNA PPA Stallion Progeny Award Winner.

Perfect Trail Pony

Kimberly Dunn, owner of Get Grounded Equine, is a breeder and trainer of Fell Ponies in Oregon. She was introduced to the breed when she purchased a bay weanling colt from local breeder.

“I was looking for a unique clean-slate project that I could train for technical in-hand trail obstacle and liberty disciplines,” Dunn explains. “I was incredibly impressed with the intelligence, curiosity, sure-footedness, and agility of that colt.”

Soon after, Dunn had the opportunity to work with a 4-year-old Fell that was just beginning his riding training.

“As a trainer, my intrigue with the breed kept increasing, and I proceeded to train and start them under saddle,” she says. “The domino effect was set in place, leading me to a journey of training for other breeders as well as breeding, raising, and training for myself.”

Dunn loves trails, both for recreation and competition. The sure-footedness of the Fell Pony fit her lifestyle perfectly.

“The Fell Pony has the agility, confidence, and positive attitude needed for this versatile kind of work,” she says. “I like how they are solid in structure, maintain good balance in a variety of maneuvers, and are very strong in mind and heart. Even though they have characteristics similar to draft breeds such as calm, thoughtful temperaments, they are not dull or lazy.”

Along with trail, Dunn trains Fells to do long-lining, obstacle-based ground work, and liberty. In the past, she has done cow sorting, jumping, driving, string packing, and working equitation with this versatile breed.

“Most Americans think a pony under 14 hands is only suitable for smaller riders such as youth,” she says. “Interestingly, the Fell Pony is considered by most [as an adult’s riding horse] rather than children’s. When thinking about the measure of weight bearing ability, the Fell Pony will often show more ability structurally than many taller breeds. The direct contributing factors are substantial leg bone, short back, deep and well sprung ribs, notable muscling, and a well-balanced base that stands true to four corners.”

The Fell Pony has carried away many a heart with its quiet disposition and natural ability. If you’re looking for your next trail or all-around horse, it might be good to remember that great things come in small packages.

This article about Fell Ponies appeared in the October 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post 100 Years of Fell Ponies appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The British Isles are known for producing wonderful horses. The Connemara, Thoroughbred and Shire all found their start in the U.K. While all of these breeds are synonymous with this part of the world, one in particular is so tightly linked to England that horses of this breed still graze on the land where the breed was first developed hundreds of years ago.

This is the legacy of the New Forest Pony, a hardy and sure-footed breed that lives in the New Forest of southern England, 100 miles from London. Now part of a national park, the New Forest is made up of pastures, glades, woods, moors, hearthland and cliffs. The land overlooks the English Channel and is the reason for the New Forest Pony’s rugged constitution.

Today, the descendants of the original New Forest Ponies, who grazed on this land for centuries, live in a semi-wild state. They are managed through the centuries-old tradition of “commoning,” which allows farmers to graze their livestock on common land. Once the hunting grounds of William the Conqueror, the New Forest is home to hundreds of native ponies owned by local farmers and managed by “agisters,” who care for them.

The Modern New Forest Pony

About 5,000 New Forest Ponies live in the New Forest today. The New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society (NFPBCS) in Hampshire, England, holds the studbook and registers New Forest Ponies throughout the U.K. Although the breed is famous for its long history in the New Forest, this mighty British pony is also known for its versatility.

In England, the NFPBCS manages a program called the Elite Scheme, which was established to help breeders, owners and potential owners of New Forest Ponies discover the most successful bloodlines in the breed. The program highlights the qualities of New Forest Ponies in many different disciplines. Known for their versatility, the breed can be found doing just about anything. At the NFPBCS annual breed show, ponies compete in dressage, gymkhana, hunter, and other riding and in-hand classes.

Alana Henson in Nottingham, United Kingdom, has had her New Forest Pony mare, Bowlingreen Espresso (aka “Coffee”), for a few years now, and is completely sold on the breed.

“Coffee is 8 years old and has only had a riding career of three years,” says Henson. “In her previous home, she mainly did show jumping and Pony Club activities. With us, she has excelled at showing as a working hunter. She has won a few championships this season.”

Coffee also qualified for STARS Champions of Champions, where she competed in the working hunter classes. STARS was established in England in 2018 as an end-of-season finale for young equestrians showing any breed of horse or pony.

“Coffee was one of only a few that made it around a very tricky course and was awarded the Shining Star award,” says Henson.

Although only a few hundred New Forest Ponies are registered in North America, the people who keep them on this side of the pond are passionate about their ponies.

“We love the New Forest Pony temperament, intelligence and trainability,” says Lynda Davies of Manoravon Farms in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. “They move more like a horse than a pony, have great feet, and are easy keepers. Their size makes them excellent family ponies—small enough for children, yet capable of handling an adult.”

Davies has also found New Forest Ponies to be an extremely versatile breed, performing any task asked of them.

“Our ponies have done Pony Club, hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing,” she says. “They are also great driving ponies and can do both pleasure and combined driving. My husband and I take our ponies on camping and trail riding weekends. We also use ours in our small lesson program for children and adults.”

This charming breed may be rare in North America, but likely not for long. Word is spreading on the joys of owning a New Forest Pony, and it is little wonder—the breed’s beauty, brains and athleticism are hard to beat.

Fast Facts

Height: No more than 14.2 1⁄8 hands

Color: Any color except pinto, spotted or blue-eyed cream

Overall Appearance: Fine head, alert expression; sloping shoulders; strong quarters; plenty of flat bone; good depth of body; straight limbs and good, hard, round feet.

Associations:
◆ New Forest Pony Society of North America
◆ New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Breeding Society

This article about the New Forest Pony breed appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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