The launch of the 2025 Connemara Pony Show-Clifden took place on Friday evening in the town’s Main Square. Marking the 100th anniversary of the Show, the four day event will return to the Clifden Showgrounds from August 19th-22.
Bringing this time honoured event forward into the next century is the newly formed Connemara Pony Show Committee of Mary Coyne (Chair ), John Sweeney, Karen Mannion, Terrence O’Toole, Cllr Eileen Mannion and Cllr. Gerry King.
Joining the Committee members on the evening, the launch brought together Show volunteers, sponsors, pony enthusiasts and the wider Connemara community to count down to next month’s event.
Past pony champions and class winners also gathered bringing the beauty of the breed to the streets of the town, showcasing the qualities the pony is renowned for.
These included 2024 Supreme Champion of the Show Cabra Jane (Hillside Joker x Gurteen Breeze ) owned by Bryan & Niamh O’Halloran and bred by Jeremiah Horgan. Peter & Bridget Lee’s presented their 2024 Reserve Supreme and Champion Broodmare Clover Hill Troy’s Beauty (Dunloughan Troy x Caitlin’s Beauty ).
The grey mare was also Confined Champion having been bred and owned by resident in Connemara. The Diamond family of Diamond’s Equestrian in Renvyle attended with their multiple Puissance Winner & 2023 High Performance Champion Sea Storm (Ballinavilla Prince x Little Nora ) ridden by Talitha Diamond. The striking dappled grey Cashelbay Prionsa Og (Cashelbay Prince x Bean Na Loch Fada ) a multiple Clifden class winner bred by Robbie & Barbra Fallon, was ridden by the 2022 & 2015 Ridden Champion rider Michael Harty.
Opening the launch with the Show Committee Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan expressed his delight at Ireland’s equestrian governing body’s continued involvement with the Show. Horse Sport Ireland will be title sponsors of the All Ireland Loose Jumping Championships taking place Tuesday 19th August as well as sponsoring several other classes across the week.
“We are delighted to be able to fund with the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine through the national breeding service initiative and grant scheme support of this year’s Connemara Pony Show in Clifden. We wish the new show committee continued success as they finalise this year’s endeavours and look forward to a great show later in August,’ Mr.Duggan added.
Speaking on behalf of the Show Committee, Show Chair Mary Coyne welcomed the attendees to the launch and thanked all sponsors and supporters of the Show who ‘have given us their advice, knowledge and financial support to date. We are working towards a very inclusive Show that will involve the town, the environment and wider community.”
Members of the press including The Irish Field journalist Lesley Hunter-Nolan described the “energy” surrounding this anniversary Show crediting the efforts of the new committee and team of volunteers.
“Anyone with a Connemara pony considers the show in Clifden to be the pinnacle of the competitive year. There’s huge excitement around it with high number of entries from across the country,’ Lesley Hunter-Nolan described.
As the sun shone, the ponies were retired to their boxes and guests were hosted by the team at Lowry’s Bar to refreshments and live music. For full details on this year’s Connemara Pony Show-Clifden, visit connemaraponyshow.ie or the official social channels @connemaraponyshow.
