| While there have been Connemara ponies in Canada | | | | broad chest and well-sprung rib cage. Their joints are |
| for over fifty years, in the last couple of decades | | | | large and well defined plus their feet are hard and |
| we've seen their numbers grow significantly, attesting | | | | strong. While they have a natural jumping ability, which |
| to their great popularity and esteem. One reason for | | | | is why they are such great show jumpers, their build |
| this is their temperament. It has been described as | | | | makes them particularly suitable for dressage. Even |
| "kind, responsive, mannerly and manageable while | | | | though their movement is free, easy and true, with no |
| possessing good sense and basic intelligence". It's no | | | | undue knee action, they effortlessly cover a lot of |
| wonder that they are so loved and respected by an | | | | ground. Because Connemaras have such spirited but |
| increasing number of enthusiastic owners. And it's | | | | eager and trainable temperaments, they have |
| certainly not surprising that they are in such demand | | | | tremendous potential in everything they do making |
| for riding academies, 4-H Horse Clubs and Pony Clubs. | | | | them a wonderful well-rounded breed. Since their |
| Connemara ponies are known for their versatility and | | | | disposition is so reliable, they make excellent mounts |
| athleticism. Because of their inherent endurance, | | | | for children and for older people who are newly |
| intelligence and heart, they make first-rate show | | | | embarking on the equestrian experience. |
| ponies. | | | | In the early 1920's it was recognized that this |
| The Connemara is a member of the equids group | | | | wonderful breed was being threatened by random |
| known as "mountain and moorland ponies". This special | | | | breeding so the Connemara Pony Breeders Society |
| breed originated in western Ireland and may be one of | | | | was formed in order to preserve the purity of the |
| the oldest native breeds in the UK; skulls unearthed | | | | breed. The group of men that founded the Breeders |
| from peat bogs date back as far as the Pleistocene | | | | Society chose a dozen superior ponies and turned |
| age (over 12000 years ago). But, legend says that, in | | | | them out to live and reproduce in the wilds. Those |
| the 16th century when the Spanish Armada sank off | | | | hardy specimens that survived the harsh Irish weather |
| the Connemara coast, the surviving horses swam to | | | | and unforgiving landscape developed exceptional |
| shore and bred with the native wild ponies producing | | | | qualities and therefore the resiliency and adaptability, as |
| strong and hardy foals. These ponies had to be | | | | well as the purity and stamina, of the breed was |
| incredibly tough to survive the local landscape. | | | | preserved. In spite of this lengthy and colorful history, |
| Connemara, while beautiful, is a land of awesome | | | | the Connemara wasn't considered an official breed |
| starkness filled with sedge covered bogs, rugged bare | | | | until the Connemara Pony Stud Book was first |
| mountains and coasts that provide no shelter from | | | | published in 1926. This first studbook was comprised of |
| harsh Atlantic storms. Back in those days, most Irish | | | | 108 carefully selected ponies. |
| farmers had quite large families and could only afford | | | | Today the Connemara Pony is fast gaining popularity |
| one pony and that pony had to pull the plow or a | | | | all over the world as both an adult and children's pony. |
| heavy cart from dawn until dusk, in extremely harsh | | | | This breed is very well suited to a multitude of |
| conditions. If the animal was unable to perform these | | | | disciplines, including dressage, jumping and endurance. |
| tasks on a daily basis, it was quickly replaced. This | | | | The Connemara pony has also enjoyed great |
| demanding existence helped the Connemara breed | | | | success in the show ring, taking the accolade of the |
| develop its trademark endurance and adaptability. In | | | | Olympia Championship no less than 9 times. In addition, |
| the later part of the 19th century, local horse racing | | | | the Connemaras are very well known for being |
| was becoming progressively more popular and the | | | | wonderful companions. They are said to have |
| Connemara pony had no trouble competing on an | | | | extraordinary memories for people, places and other |
| equal footing with the larger Irish hunters and | | | | ponies. It is also said that they have immense courage |
| Thoroughbreds. | | | | that is only limited by the belief of the rider. That |
| Ponaidh is the Gaelic word for pony and simply means | | | | means, "When you believe he can do it, he knows he |
| small. Although the Connemaras are considered | | | | can do it!" Such is the nature of this pony that all things |
| ponies, this magnificent breed is the largest of all the | | | | appear possible. The most favoured characteristics of |
| pony breeds. With heights ranging from 13 to 15 hands, | | | | the Connemara breed are their gentle, trustworthy and |
| they often compete and win over horses 16 hands | | | | sensible dispositions as well as their versatility, |
| and taller. They have thick and hardy forelegs, strong | | | | surefootedness and eagerness that make them such |
| thighs and hocks, powerful hindquarters and a short | | | | treasured family pets as well as the ultimate show |
| attractive head with pony ears and well-defined | | | | ponies. |
| cheekbones. The body is deep and compact with a | | | | |