Connemara ponies are very friendly and strong-willed ponies that are not lacking in temperament. They are powerful, sporty and courageous, which is why they are ideal for younger riders who are starting out in tournaments. The reliable ponies are also characterized by their intelligent, persistent and willingness to work, which is why they are often used in front of the carriage.
In addition to their friendly and reliable character, they also have very calm and sensitive traits, which is why they can also be suitable beginner horses for insecure riders. Due to their strength, not too heavy adults can ride the ponies.
Connemara ponies are also ideal for cross-country rides, as the robust ponies are very agile, sure-footed and therefore reliable partners even on stony ground. In general, one can say that Irish ponies are very versatile and very popular worldwide due to their numerous possible uses. Because whether western, show jumping, dressage, cross-country or as a carriage pony: there is no discipline that the versatile pony cannot master. At the Pony European Championships, Connemara keep winning important prizes, and Connemara have also been among the winners at other international competitions.
Due to their origin, the barren Connemara, the ponies have developed into very robust, durable and weatherproof four-legged friends, which neither wind nor weather can harm so quickly.
Today, the Connemara pony is mainly used as a riding pony for children and young people: Many young people have their first riding experience on it and win their first tournaments with the loyal Connemara.
History of the Connemara Pony
The robust horse breed has its origins in the Connemara region in western Ireland, which also gave it its name. The area is characterized by its barren and fodder-poor landscape and is covered by moor and heath areas. Yet the harsh land surrounds a wild and unrelenting beauty. Here is the home of the Connemara ponies.
The Connemara pony is also Ireland’s only native breed of pony, having existed in the west of the island for some time. Over the centuries, the once Celtic pony breed has been crossed with noble Spanish horses, Thoroughbreds and other pony breeds.
Professor Ewart, who studied the Connemara pony at Edinburgh University in 1900, was enthusiastic about the ponies and their naturalness and made it clear “that their extinction would be a national loss”. Based on his statement, the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society was founded in 1923, whose task it is to take care of the preservation of the Connemara pony as an independent breed. Initially, Arabian, Thoroughbred, Irish Draft and occasionally Berber stallions were used in breeding. In 1963 the stud book was closed and since then only Connemaras with registered ancestors have been accepted. In the meantime, the robust pony breed can be found worldwide and enjoys great popularity.
One can find Connemara in three types: the Eastern type, the Irish Draft type and the Clifden type. The Eastern type stands out because of its delicate and elegant appearance, while the Irish Draft type is larger and more muscular and the Clifden type impresses with its pony-like appearance.
Interesting and worth knowing
In the equestrian world, a number of Connemara or Connemara crossbreeds have achieved considerable prominence. One of them was the Connemara stallion Erin Go Bragh: He took part in numerous top-class international eventing competitions and often took a top place. Born in 1983, the stallion was also known as “The Little Horse that Could”. The little stallion fathered 200 foals during his lifetime. He passed away in 2013 at the proud age of 30.
Another successful Connemara pony was Stroller, although technically Stroller is a thoroughbred English Connemara mix. Stroller won several awards during his career and was the first pony to compete in the show jumping category at the Olympics. In addition, the stallion was the only pony to win the Hickstead Derby. Stroller died in 1986 at the age of 36 – 15 years after he retired.
The Connemara Pony Nugget is also an impressive success story. In 1935, the pony broke a world record when, at the tender age of 22, he successfully cleared a 7.2 foot fence. An impressive career followed, which brought with it more than 300 prizes.
