Connemaras Ulster-Bound

For the first time in the history of Connemara Pony shows the title of All-Ireland registered Connemara Pony Champion Foal will be chosen north of the border where the finals are being staged in Portadown, Co Armagh on Saturday, September 17, 2005.

This will be the largest registered Connemara pony judging event in the history of Northern Ireland and will be hosted by the Northern Ireland Connemara Pony Breeders Association in partnership with the 'Country comes to Town' organising committee. Winning registered Connemara ponies and owners from the previous twenty local qualifying shows throughout Ireland will be making their way to Portadown Public Park for the All-Ireland finals with the registered Connemara Pony Classes commencing at 12 noon.

The Park venue is an ideal setting for such an occasion with its wide open spaces, mature foliage and right on the edge of the town centre where all necessary facilities will be laid on.

The finals are being organised and promoted in partnership between the Northern Ireland Connemara Pony Breeders Association and the committee of the local 'Country comes to Town' festival event now in its eight year which attracts up to 30,000 people on-the-day from far and near to witness the country culture right in the heart of a rural town. The town, taken over for the Saturday, features all kinds of country events such a horse shoeing, sheep sheering, displays of rare breeds of animals including pigs, sheep, fowl etc. plus working farm machinery as well as folk dressed in country costume setting the tone.

With a three month qualifying period starting almost immediately it is important that all owners and breeders of registered Connemara ponies apply for entry to their nearest qualifying venue. Each of these local shows will select a winning colt and filly, qualifying to go forward to the Portadown finals.

The final Portadown event not only sees the selection of the All-Ireland champion registered Connemara foal but also in-hand classes for registered yearling Colt, Gelding and Filly, 2-3 year old Colt, Gelding and Filly, 4-9 year old Mares or Geldings and 10 year old and older Mares and Geldings.

Three champions will be chosen on the day, the All-Ireland registered Connemara Foal, who will receive the Sam Morrison Memorial Perpetual Trophy plus £250 with the registered reserve cham-pion receiving a special rosette and £100. The overall registered Connemara Pony Champion will receive a new trophy being presented this year by the 'Country comes to Town' committee and the winning Young Stock registered Connemara Pony Champion will also receive a perpetual trophy, this particular class being confined to the Northern Ireland Connemara Pony Breeders Association members.

Interest in the world renowned Connemara pony has increased year on year and presently attracts a considerable audience of knowlegable owners and breeders who will no doubt be keen to qual-ify for the Portadown finals - history in the making.

For further information regarding Country comes to Town contact Jim Dickson 028 3885 2964.