Breed of the Moment: The Connemara Pony

By: Connemara Pony Breeders' Society of Australia - Courtesy of Horses and People Magazine - SUBSCRIBE to Horses and People Magazine here to read the most up to date articles

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Native to Connemara, a part of Ireland that is west of Galway, the Connemara Pony is a compact, well-balanced riding type with good depth and substance, and good heart room, standing on short legs and covering a lot of ground. Known in old Irish as Capaillín Chonamara, the Connemara Pony is renowned for its athleticism, versatility and elegance. Hardy and intelligent, with great agility, ponies should measure between 128cm and 148cm, and are coloured grey, black, bay, brown, buckskin, roan, chestnut, palomino, and dark- and blue-eyed cream. 

Origins of the Connemara 

The early native pony, similar to those of Shetland, Norway and Iceland, was initially most likely influenced by the Barb, brought with the Celts in the 4th and 5th Centuries BC. Trade in the following centuries, particularly with Spain, would see Barb, Arabian and Andalusian horses imported, and these would have had some influence on the local breed (1). 

A scheme to first improve the native breed took place in the late 19th Century over 12 years. The government-sponsored scheme, administered by the Congested Districts Board, included Thoroughbred, Barb, Hackney and Welsh Cob stallions that were made available for breeding purposes to increase the quality and value of local stock (2). This scheme, however, was not considered generally successful, in part, as the stallions selected were not the most suitable for the conditions and work required, and also because the breed of sire was regularly changed and the resultant type was inconsistent. 

For example, in 1892, four stallions were sent to Connemara - a Barb and three Hackneys and, in 1893, a Barb and four Welsh Cobs (3). The local farmers required a sound and frugal pony that could be ridden, driven with the plough, cart produce and breed a foal for market, all while living in difficult climatic conditions and on a sparse diet (4). 

In 1900, a report published on the Connemara Pony by Professor JC Ewart of the University of Edinburgh was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. This report provided the first in-depth account on the Pony; identifying five distinct types within the breed (5). “Ewart made three recommendations in his report: that the best Connemara sires should be acquired, a register of purebred mares should be prepared to provide material for a stud book and that farmers should be encouraged to use the stallions selected (6)”. 

The Irishman Michael O’Malley was central to the early promotion and attempts to preserve the Pony. He was present at a meeting in 1911 in Clifden, Ireland, where the first description of the Connemara Pony was drawn up. In 1912, O’Malley travelled to Olympia with two Connemara Ponies to participate in an exhibition of ‘Types of British and Continental Horses and Ponies’ (7) and, at his instigation, the first meeting of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society took place in Connemara in 1923 (8).

The Irish stud book 

The stud book was opened in 1924 and ponies were required to be presented for inspection before being accepted for inclusion (9). The inspection panel comprised four men from outside central Connemara and this panel remained the same until 1954 - providing continuity and facilitating consistency in the type of Pony registered. 

Only a very small proportion of those Ponies presented for inspection passed, particularly with respect to the stallions; reflecting the very high standard set. In response to the limited number of stallion lines that resulted and the implications this presented for the ongoing genetic viability of the herd, from 1943, the society introduced some non-Connemara stallions, as well as the crossbred progeny of non-Connemara stallions out of registered Connemara mares (10). 

Of most influence were two Thoroughbred stallions - Little Heaven and Winter - and the crossbred son of the Crabbet Arabian Naseel. Several Irish Draft stallions also had some limited influence. In 1926, the first stud book was printed and, in 1964, the stud book was closed (11). Each Spring, inspections of two-year-olds continue to take place in Connemara. 

Today, five stallion lines remain unbroken in Ireland and in Australia; though, in Australia, one of the lines currently only has two representatives. Of these lines, three are ‘native’ Irish lines - one is the Thoroughbred line established through Little Heaven and one is the Arabian line established through Naseel’s son. 

Establishment of the Australian stud book and society 

The first Connemara Pony imported to Australia was the stallion Island King, imported in 1963 by Dr Fred Wiltshire to improve the Australian Pony. Dr Wiltshire hoped to add movement, bone and scope to this breed, and Island King was originally registered as an Australian Pony stallion. Dr Wiltshire also imported the first Connemara mare, Ardan.

The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society of Australia was established in 1971 and maintains the stud book, foal register and partbred register in Australia. During the early days of the stud book, a ‘breeding up’ programme was introduced to increase the number of purebred stock in Australia. The stud book was closed to ‘outside blood’ in 1984. 

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS Ireland) is the parent society maintaining the Stud Book of Origin for the Connemara breed. The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society of Australia (CPBSA) is a ‘daughter’ society, having adopted a Constitution that meets with the objectives of the Stud Book of Origin. The CPBSA was granted ‘approved’ status in October 1998 and maintains the only stud book in Australia recognised by CPBS Ireland. Australian Connemara Ponies are eligible for dual registration with the Australian Pony Stud Book (APSB).

Australia has a seat on the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies (ICCPS). The objectives of the ICCPS are to maintain the Connemara Pony as a distinct breed in accordance with the aims and objectives of the CPBS Ireland, and to support and coordinate the implementation worldwide of the principles laid down in the Rules of Registration (CPBS Ireland). The ICCPS meets annually in Clifden, Ireland, and provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and information between member societies and breeders. 

The Connemara Pony today 

The Connemara Pony enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a performance pony across a range of disciplines. The Pony is particularly noted for its ability in show jumping, dressage and in harness. The Pony also crosses well with a number of breeds, and the Thoroughbred cross has been particularly successful as a show jumping and cross country mount. 

Famous ponies of the past include the bay gelding Stroller, a Thoroughbred x Connemara cross of 14.1 hh. Stroller and his rider, Marion Coakes, were members of the 1968 British Olympic team, winning individual silver. Together, they won 61 international competitions. 

The 15 hh purebred Connemara pony, Dundrum, ridden by Tommy Wade, became Supreme Champion at Wembley Horse of the Year Show in 1961 when he cleared a 7’2” Puissance wall. He was International Jumping Champion from 1959 to 1963. 

Starting his dressage career in 1977 and retiring in 1987, Seldom Seen was an American-bred 14.2 hh Thoroughbred x Connemara cross ridden by Olympian Lendon Gray. Together, they were very successful, winning the United States Dressage Federation (USDF)

Horse of the Year from Third Level through to Grand Prix. Seldom Seen was inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame in 2005. 

More recently, individual gold was won at the 2009 FEI European Pony Show Jumping Championships by purebred Connemara mare Ballyowen Maybell Molly, ridden by Kellie Allen. The pair, together with Sillogue Darkie, a purebred Connemara gelding, ridden by Michael Duffy, were also part of the silver medal winning Irish team. 

Purebred and partbred Ponies are now bred and ridden across Australia. The Pony is an athletic and versatile mount, suitable for adults and children, and is competitive across a variety of disciplines, as well as being well-suited as a family and pleasure mount. 

Every year, the CPBSA awards a national, as well as state titles, to purebred and partbred Ponies competing in hand and under saddle. Ponies are also eligible for bronze, silver or gold medallion awards by accruing points over time. Many of the photographs featured in this article are of award winners from the 2013/2014 Performance Pony register, and illustrate the fun and success enjoyed by the Ponies and their owners. 

Challenges facing the breed 

Currently, approximately 50 recorded purebred foals are produced each year across Australia and approximately 40 stallions had stallion returns submitted to the CPBSA in 2012/2013. Factors such as distance and geographic isolation, regular use of desirable individuals leading to over-representation and ponies retained as performance mounts and, thus, not used for breeding purposes have combined to reduce the genetic diversity of the Connemara herd in Australia over time. 

A report on Australia’s Connemara stallion lines in 2013 provided analysis of approximately 70 Australian stallions and the genetic diversity of the herd. This report built on an earlier analysis of the Australian Connemara Pony population undertaken in 2007. The report advised that, of 41 stallion sub-lines imported into Australia prior to 2007, only 16 still remained and only four stallions had been imported since 1982. 

The improvement in artificial insemination technology and the ability to import frozen semen will assist in facilitating retention of genetic diversity. One of the risks of a shrinking gene pool is the emergence or increased prevalence of genetic disorders.

Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) has been the subject of research by the Banasch Genetic Laboratory of UC Davis for the past three years. Commencing with a genome wide association study, research has now confirmed that HWSD is a genetic autosomal recessive. An affected foal can only be produced by breeding two carriers together and the chance of the resultant foal being affected is 1 in 4 or 25%. 

The disease is present at birth or develops soon after. It involves the separation of the dorsal hoof wall from the underlying structure and leaves affected ponies supporting their weight entirely on the sole of the hoof. 

HWSD impacts affected ponies to different degrees and environment can affect severity. Mildly-affected ponies may be managed, while serious cases have resulted in euthanasia. In severe cases, Ponies may suffer fungal infection, abscessing and laminitis as a secondary condition. 

A test has just become available through UC Davis (United States of America). The test will enable informed breeding decisions and will ensure breeders need never produce an affected foal. The availability of the test will have implications for the selection of breeding stock and breed diversity generally within the Connemara herd. 

Carriers of HWSD are themselves completely unaffected. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence would indicate that this disease is not new to the breed; suggesting that, with careful breeding, the herd can successfully negotiate the challenges of an affected gene pool. Carriers with desirable traits can be used responsibly (i.e. only breeding a carrier to a clear pony) to ensure these traits are carried forward and that genetic diversity is retained. 

For more information on the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society of Australia, go to: www.cpbsa.com.au. 

Further details regarding HWSD can be found at: http:// connemara-pony.blogspot.com.au/ and details for testing can be found at http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/ HoofWallDisease.php. 

Bibliography: 

• Comer, Fiona: Australia’s Connemara Stallion Lines, 2013 

• Comer, Fiona: An Analysis of the Australian Connemara Pony Population, 2007 

• CPBSA Archives 

• Goldston, Tearna: A Dusty Grey Pony, The Connemara Pony in Australia, Book 1, Vol 1, Australia, 2013 

• Lyne, Pat: Shrouded in Mist, The Connemara Pony, United Kingdom, 1984 

• Minnich, Beth: Managing Genetic Disorders (and Diversity) - What Comes After Testing, Khamsat, Vol 27, pp 16-19, 2012 

 

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