Connemara Pony Breeders' Society

18/01/2025

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have issued an information note of the foot and mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Germany.

The note can be found here:https://www.horsesportireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FMD-Info-Note-For-Equine-Stakeholders-16.01.25.pdf

Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/839d7-foot-and-mouth-disease/

18/01/2025

17/01/2025

🌟🐴 Exciting Day for Cumann Lucht Capaillíní Chonamara! 🐴🌟

Members gathered in Athlone last Sunday for both an EGM and AGM, marking one of the largest turnouts in recent years! 🙌 Despite some questions about notice and procedures, members voted to proceed, and all proposed amendments to the Articles of Association were approved ✅🎉.

📄 The updated articles (allowing online council meetings and new membership approvals) can be viewed here: https://new.cpbs.ie/memberships

Key Topics Discussed:

💰 Financial Challenges:

2023 and 2024 have presented significant financial difficulties for the society, with losses attributed to rising operational costs and breeder expenses. Members emphasized the urgent need to reassess and adjust breeder-related costs, including fees and support, to maintain the society’s sustainability. Creative fundraising and strategic financial planning will be crucial going forward.

🎉 Show Centenary Year Plans:

The Show’s 100th year will focus on a localised approach, fostering deeper connections between Cumann Lucht Capaillíní Chonamara and the broader Connemara community. Collaborative efforts with Clifden community and business leaders are already underway to deliver a truly memorable event that celebrates the heritage and future of the Connemara Pony.

🐴 Breeding Program Concerns:

Discussions were sparked by motions from individual members addressing critical issues in the breeding program:
• The use of Hoof Wall affected/carrier ponies in breeding was debated, with concerns raised about long-term impacts on the breed’s reputation and genetic health. Members strongly rejected the removal of carrier ponies from the stud book due to the narrowing of the bloodlines.
• A proposal to introduce new bloodlines into the breeding program was also rejected, as members prioritized preserving the unique genetic traits and heritage of the Connemara Pony.

Overall, it was a day of productive conversations and proactive decision-making, as members laid the foundation for the society’s growth and sustainability in the years to come. 🐎💪

15/01/2025

Agreed Statement - 15th January 2025

***Full steam ahead for the Connemara Pony Show (Clifden) 2025 after a joint agreement.***

In its centenary year, the annual Connemara Pony Show at Clifden is now set for its most exciting event ever. Over the past few months, detailed discussions have been ongoing between the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society and a newly formed and independent Show Management entity on a potential path forward for the much loved Connemara Pony Show at Clifden. On the 12th of January, an agreement in principle was reached between both entities on how the Show (and related events) will be run and supported for an initial period of 3 years, starting in 2025.
At the recent AGM of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, a proposal from the new entity for the transition and management of the Clifden show was outlined by the CPBS Executive Committee to the CPBS membership. The proposal was adopted by the membership and thereafter ratified by the newly elected CPBS Council.

The new independent show entity, known as ‘Connemara Pony Show - Clifden’ has a board of trustees composed of representatives from Connemara Chamber of Commerce, equine representatives, local political representatives, and community leaders. The Trustees, together with a dedicated wider team will assume full management and running of the show going forward.

“The Show, by adopting a more localised approach to its management, emphasises the importance of collaboration between both Cumann Lucht Capaillíní Chonamara and the greater Connamara Community. This partnership is pivotal in delivering a successful show in its centenary year. The CPBS acknowledges the Connemara Pony Show at Clifden as Ireland’s premier Connemara Pony event. We are confident that this new agreement will not only honour the legacy of this iconic event but also ensure its continuation as a cornerstone of not only Connemara but also Irish equine culture for many years to come.”

Daragh Ó Tuairisg - President - Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society

“Tá Coiste Taispeántas na Capallíní- Clochán 2025 ag súil le taispeántas den chéad scoth a reáchtáil i mí Lúnasa agus muid ag ceiliúradh 100 bliain den seó capaillíní sa Chlochán. Following successful discussions with the CPBS, our dedicated regional committee now look forward to delivering the famed Connemara Pony Show at Clifden for the benefit of the Connemara Pony community and wider region.”

Mary Coyne - Chairperson - Connemara Pony Show, Clifden Committee

This is agreed joint statement by:
Daragh Ó Tuairisg - President
On behalf of Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society

Mary Coyne - Chairperson
On behalf of Connemara Pony Show, Clifden Committee
____
Connemara Pony Show - Clifden
19th to 22nd August 2025
Queries to: [email protected]

10/01/2025

📢 Reminder: CPBS EGM & AGM

A quick reminder to all members that the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will take place prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

📅 Date: 12th January 2025
🕛 Time: EGM at 12 PM, AGM at 2 PM
📍 Location: Athlone Springs Hotel

Your presence is important as we discuss key matters ahead of the AGM. We look forward to your insights and contributions!

06/01/2025

The FEI Pony Measuring session will take place on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd January, 2025 in Cavan Equestrian Centre. FEI Pony Owners should note that only one Irish FEI measuring session will take place in 2025 and should ensure that their Ponies are presented for measuring if needed (Please...

23/12/2024

Please see below 👇🏻

20/12/2024

🎄✨ Christmas Closing Dates ✨🎄

The CPBS office will close on Friday, December 20th and reopen on Thursday, January 2nd. 🎁

We wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! 🎅🎉

Please note: The society will not be taking payments for membership or providing other services until January 13th, following the AGM. 📅

Thank you for your understanding, and enjoy the festive season! ❄️

13/12/2024

Connemara Pony Breeders Society Special Meeting Tackles Key Issues 🐴

Last Saturday, the Connemara Pony Breeders Society held a special meeting at the Raheen Woods Hotel, drawing breeders from across Ireland.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed:

• Financial Challenges 💰: Concerns over 2023 losses led to calls for investigations and stricter accountability for sponsors and debtors.
• Annual Show 🎪: Debate on the sand arena’s unavailability, showground flooding, and future options, including relocating or rotating the show nationwide.
• Society Role 📜: Discussions on the society’s preparedness for SNP implementation in 23, its passport authority role, and sustaining Connemara pony inspections.
• Collaborations with the Connemara Chamber of Commerce is needed if the show is to remain in Clifden.

✅ Progress Made: Clearing the 2023 passport backlog and issuing foal passports this year were praised. The need for increased fees to ensure sustainability of society for 2025.

The meeting highlighted the importance of proactive planning and unity to address these challenges and secure the society’s future.

10/12/2024

10/12/2024

09/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Show 2024 🎄

🏆 Champion Foal & Filly Class Winner
✨ Kieran McGrath and Hazelrock Laurel

• Sire: HOJBJERG’S BRIGHT STAR
• Dam: KAYLA

📌 View Hazelrock Laurel’s Full Details: https://cpbsonline.ie/Animal/ViewDetails.aspx?RegAn=cTnbBPVuhpxZARylTOdf6A%3d%3d

🏆 Reserve Champion & C**t Class Winner
✨ Debbie Todd and Vintage Active Atlas

• Sire: TEMPO ACTIVE ATLAS
• Dam: LOUGH FADDA BLACK WIDOW

📌 View Vintage Active Atlas’s Full Details: https://cpbsonline.ie/Animal/ViewDetails.aspx?RegAn=R3DH0nO4%2fvDFSp0%2fDxUVvQ%3d%3d

Congratulations to the winners and all participants for making the Christmas Show 2024 a memorable event!

06/12/2024

********REMINDER*******

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society has acknowledged financial losses of €156,000 in 2023 and has called a special meeting of members to discuss its 'very serious financial situation'

03/12/2024

‼️ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine NOTICE‼️

New Equine Traceability System – Census 2024

To improve equine traceability, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is introducing a new equine traceability system.

The new system will be based on equine census returns; it is therefore critically important that all people keeping equines complete a census.

Failure to return a census or, submission of a nil return, will result in an equine premises registration number (EPRN) being made inactive on the Departments systems which may in future prevent keepers of equines from being able to
• Register foals
• Export horses
• Sell horses.

Where EPRNs are deactivated, those keepers, who intend to keep horses in the future, will have to reapply to their Regional Veterinary Office to reactivate their EPRN.

The 2024 census will be held on the night of Saturday 30th of November 2024.

Below is the full correspondence from the Department regarding the 2024 Equine Census and further details can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/32568-horses/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/equinecensus2024/ -census-2024

03/12/2024

📣 Important Update for Members 🐴

Special meeting scheduled for 7th December 2024.

🔸 The meeting on 7th December will go ahead, but it will not be an official EGM with voting.

🔸 Instead, it will be a special meeting to:

💰 Share the society’s financial status
💬 Discuss the proposed resolutions

🗳 A formal vote on these resolutions will happen at a subsequent EGM before the AGM.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you there! 🐴

📅 When: 7th December 2024, 1:00 PM
📍 Where: Raheen Woods, Athenry

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society has acknowledged financial losses of €156,000 in 2023 and has called a special meeting of members to discuss its 'very serious financial situation'